49ers acquire Hodges from Vikings for Easton, sixth-round pick

The 49ers on Tuesday traded center Nick Easton to Minnesota in exchange for inside linebacker Gerald Hodges.

It has not yet been reported what the Vikings received in return for Hodges but it’s been rumored that the 49ers are trying to shop center Nick Easton. This season, Hodges has started three of four games, played 154 snaps and collected 20 tackles. He recorded eight tackles in Minnesota’s Week 1 loss to San Francisco.

Hodges was a fourth-round pick out of Penn State in 2013. General manager Rick Spielman, who spoke to the media after the announcement, expressed his comfort with the team’s linebacker depth moving forward.

Hodges could ultimately challenge Michael Wilhoite for the starting spot alongside NaVorro Bowman in the 49ers’ 3-4 defense. “We monitored him when he was with the Ravens”.

Starting center John Sullivan was placed on injured reserve after undergoing back surgery at the beginning of September, and the Vikings offensive line has failed to protect quarterback Teddy Bridgewater from opposing pass rushers – particularly on A-gap blitzes over the center. He has potential to become a very good player for the Vikings, but as of now, is nothing more than a backup behind Joe Berger and Zac Kerin. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers also will send a sixth-round pick to the Vikings.