INDIANAPOLIS – At March's League Meetings, Chuck Pagano was describing how wide open the two inside linebacker starting spots were/are for the Colts in 2017.

Since, the Colts have added another veteran (Jon Bostic, 18 career starts) and also drafted an inside linebacker (Anthony Walker, fifth-round pick).

Walker enters the picture after starting 33 games in three seasons at Northwestern.

In losing seven defenders age 29 or older from last season, the Colts are searching for leaders.

They see leadership-type qualities in Walker.

"I wish you could have been in our room at the Combine," area scout Chad Henry says of when the Colts interviewed Walker. "I've been in scouting for 20 years. (Walker was) one of the best interviews I've ever heard, just in terms of intelligence, grit, confidence. He's got everything you want."

For the Colts to truly see those traits out of Walker, he's going to have to make his way through a crowded inside linebacker group.

Henry said that Walker is solid against the run and has some speed (4.6 40-yard dash).

It's what Walker has between the ears that makes the Colts see why he was a junior captain at Northwestern.

"He's brilliant football wise," Henry says of Walker. "He's the son of a coach. He's a guy that takes extra film sessions with the head coach individually every week. To hear him talk football, he sounds like a coach and plays that way on the field."

How the Colts handle Walker, and the inside linebacker positions in 2017, is one of the big questions of the offseason.

The days of the Colts having a Jerrell Freeman or D'Qwell Jackson-type on the field for 95 percent of the defensive snaps are probably gone.

Using different guys in specific situations is the more likely route going forward.

Is Walker one of those guys?

"Given the opportunity, I think I can go in and make plays early," Walker says. "If not, I'm definitely going to try and contribute on special teams.

"Any way I can help the team would be great."

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