Indianapolis Colts

Colts ink linebacker Barkevious Mingo, punter Jeff Locke on first day of free agency

Published Mar. 9, 2017 8:34 p.m. ET

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Former New England linebacker Barkevious Mingo has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

Mingo's deal is worth $2.5 million, his agent confirmed.

The move comes one day after Colts general manager Chris Ballard traded tight end Dwayne Allen and a sixth-round draft pick to New England for the Patriots' fourth-round pick. The Colts confirmed that deal earlier in the afternoon.

Indy was in desperate need of linebackers. After outside linebacker Robert Mathis retired, the Colts' top two outside linebackers -- Erik Walden and Trent Cole -- both became free agents. Ballard also released inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson last month.

Mingo was Cleveland's first-round draft pick in 2013, No. 6 overall. He has 72 tackles in his career including four in 2016, his only season with the Patriots.

On Thursday, the Colts also signed former Vikings punter Jeff Locke to a two-year contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The person requested anonymity because the Colts haven't announced any free agent signings yet. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Locke replaces Pro Bowl punter Pat McAfee, who retired unexpectedly in January. McAfee also was one of the league's top kickoff specialists.

In four seasons with Minnesota, Locke averaged 43.2 yards per kick. It's not yet clear whom the Colts will ask to kick off next season or hold kicks for Adam Vinatieri, still the oldest player in the league at age 44.

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