OG Mike Iupati Free Agency Fits: Giants, Seahawks, Jets

It isn’t the most glamorous of positions, but rest assured teams are smart enough to understand that guards have an important place in pro football and NFL free agency will reflect that.  None should get more attention when things go live than Mike Iupati.  The three-time Pro Bowler will turn 28-years old in May.  He is in his prime and without question the best at his position set to hit the market.

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However, at the same time, Iupati is a specific type of guard.  While his entire game is good, he is at his absolute best in an offense that is committed to running the football.  San Francisco hasn’t ranked lower than 8th in rushing since 2011 with him as a starter.  That physical, nasty edge is something teams will covet.

So where will he fit best?

Seattle Seahawks

This would drive 49ers fans into the bay!  To think that their most hated rival could steal Iupati and bring him to the Pacific Northwest … Wow! Ultimately, it’s very possible.  Current starter James Carpenter is a free agent and the team is looking for upgrades.  Given how much they love to run the football with Marshawn Lynch, Iupati is an ideal pickup for them.

The Seahawks will have over $24 million in salary cap space.  That isn’t a lot to go on a spending spree but it’s enough to make one big move and landing one the best guards in football on a team already loaded with championship talent would border on unfair.

New York Giants

As much as having Eli Manning throw it to Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz will be in the game plan, the New York Giants remain a team committed to running the football under Tom Coughlin.  Andre Williams, Rashad Jennings and Peyton Hillis combined for over 400 carries in 2014.  They strive for balance and Manning is at his best off of play action.

Nabbing Iupati would be the next big step in their revival of their offensive front which has struggled the past few years.  The hope is that they can move second-year man Weston Richburg to his natural position at center and fill in the left guard spot.  Iupati thrived there in San Francisco, so the match would be one made in heaven.

New York Jets

The biggest obstacle for the Giants is ironically the team they share MetLife Stadium with.  The New York Jets should remain a defensive team that favors the running game moving forward under Todd Bowles, but like the Giants they have tons of money to spend — upwards of $50.1 million in cap space.

Their offensive line was not up to their usual standards in 2014.  Willie Colon, Brian Winters and Oday Aboushi were all poor for the most part.  Finding help for center Nick Mangold is at the top of the list.  Iupati would bring about that ground-and-pound dominance they enjoyed three or four years ago.

In truth, Mike Iupati may look at this NFL free agency period as his last real shot at making big money.  Therefore the Jets should be considered a big player for him.

However, his close call in the Super Bowl may push him to a contender if they can get in the same ballpark.