Colts cut Johnathan Hankins, save nearly $8.5 million under salary cap

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INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts have released defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins.

Hankins signed a three-year deal worth $27 million in free agency last season. He made 15 starts and finished with 44 tackles and two sacks.

But with the Colts switching to a 4-3 defense that favors speed, the 320-pound, 26-year-old Hankins apparently no longer fit.

By making the move, the Colts save nearly $8.5 million under the salary cap and now have roughly $75 million to spend in free agency.

Indy also swapped first-round picks with the New York Jets on Saturday, getting two second-round picks this year and another in 2019 in return.

The only player Indy has signed so far is defensive end Denico Autry, who played last year in Oakland.