NFL Notes: Colts, Titans, Vikings

March 18, 2018

A source tells Stephen Holder of the Indy Star that the decision to release DT Johnathan Hankins was due to the team’s plan to move to a 4-3 base defense under new DC Matt Eberflus.
Holder explains that the Colts are switching to a “speed-based defense” which is why Hankins is no longer as good of a fit and not worth the $8 million or so they were set to pay him in 2018.
Holder makes a good point in that there probably wasn’t a lot of trade interest in Hanking, considering other teams were likely aware of the Colts’ predicament with Hankins, who was set to have $4.5 million of his 2018 base salary become guaranteed on Sunday.
According to Jordan Schultz, the Colts wanted to sign WR Michael Crabtree before he recently agreed to a deal with the Ravens.
However, Schultz says that the Colts have WR Ryan Grant next up on their wishlist of receivers.
The Colts recently brought Grant in for a visit. (NFLTR)

Cameron Wolfe writes that the Titans’ recent decision to move on from veteran defensive linemen Sylvester Williams and Karl Klug have ramped up questions about whether they’re clearing room to add free agent DT Ndamukong Suh.
Wolfe admits that it’s possible moving on from Williams and Klug have nothing to do with Suh, given that they didn’t have great seasons and were owed sizable roster bonuses or guarantees this weekend.
Even so, Wolfe seems to think they’ll add another defensive lineman and suggests Johnathan Hankins as someone who could make sense for them, given that he played for new Titans HC Mike Vrabel at Ohio State.
Suh also has ties to the Titans staff in DL coach Terrell Williams, who was previously the Dolphins’ DL coach.
If the Titans are focused on scheme fit, Wolfe says Hankins would make the most sense considering that he was solid in the Colts’ 3-4 scheme last year and Suh has only played in 4-3 schemes.
It’s worth mentioning that Suh officially completed his visit with the Titans without reaching an agreement. (NFLTR)

Darren Wolfson mentions that the Vikings had “a little interest” in signing OL Billy Turner before he re-signed with the Broncos on Saturday, as we first reported. (NFLTR)
Chris Tomasson reports that based on indications from several sources, the Vikings may not have the cap room to make a significant offensive line addition in the coming weeks.
Tomasson adds that Minnesota will still continue to monitor the free agent market for bargain options.
However, they’re more likely to get a starting caliber offensive lineman in this year’s draft.