Report: Gerald Hodges visited the Colts today

Perhaps the biggest remaining question mark on the Colts’ roster entering 2017 is the inside linebacker position, which according to Colts defensive coordinator Ted Monachino is “wide open.”

As the Colts continue to evaluate their options at the position, they’re also continuing to monitor which players are available to still pick up. One of those players is Gerald Hodges, and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hodges visited the Colts today. Schefter reports that Hodges will also visit the Patriots tomorrow and the Jaguars on Thursday.

Free agent signings no longer count against the compensatory pick formula at this point in the year, so we might see an increase in interest in some free agents. He reportedly visited with the Jets last week too, so he’s drawing some attention right now.

Hodges was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Vikings, and he played for Minnesota for a couple of seasons until he was traded to the 49ers midway through the 2015 season. He spent his first season as a full-time starter in 2016 with the 49ers, playing in 15 games and starting 12 of them as he recorded 83 tackles, three sacks, two passes defensed, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. In his four-year NFL career so far, he has played in 54 games and started 36, recording 224 tackles, 3.5 sacks, ten passes defensed, three picks, and a forced fumble.

This late in the free agent process, Hodges would certainly be an interesting addition to the mix. The Colts will have a big competition for the two starting inside linebacker spots, with Edwin Jackson, Antonio Morrison, Luke Rhodes, Sean Spence, Jon Bostic, and Anthony Walker all currently on the roster figuring to compete. If the Colts were to sign Hodges, he would be another name to add to the competition. With other visits lined up, however, we’ll have to wait and see what comes of this meeting with the Colts.