The Colts have interest in adding a free agent linebacker, and have hosted Kevin Minter (previously reported), Sean Spence, and Jon Bostic on visits, reports Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Indianapolis ranked 32nd in DVOA against the run in 2016, and placed 31st in DVOA against opposing tight ends, meaning the club needs to add defenders who are able to cover the middle of the field. The Colts began their offseason by releasing inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, who at age-33 has lost some of his luster. New general manager Chris Ballard then brought edge rushers Jabaal Sheard and John Simon, but Indy still needs inside ‘backers to complement Edwin Jackson and Antonio Morrison.
Minter, 26, is the best of the free agent linebacker trio hosted by the Colts, and ranks as the No. 2 LB on PFR’s most recent edition of the top remaining free agents. After starting all 16 games in each of the past two seasons, Minter has created a healthy market for himself, and has already met with the Bengals. The former second-round posted 81 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2016, grading as the league’s No. 25 linebacker, per Pro Football Focus.
Spence, meanwhile, wasn’t a full-time starter for the Titans last year, but did play on nearly 50% of the club’s snaps, managing 50 tackles and three sacks. He’s No. 8 on PFR’s ranking of free agent linebackers. Bostic, 25, missed the entirety of the 2016 campaign with injury, and probably wouldn’t be counted on for anything besides special teams duty with the Colts.