Green Bay Packers free agent target: Curtis Lofton

The Green Bay Packers have gained some clarity on their salary cap situation following the signing of Randall Cobb, but a handful of internal pieces must still fall into place before they begin to look outside of their organization for help. Bryan Bulaga seems poised to strike it rich in free agency, either with the Green Bay Packers or elsewhere, while Tramon Williams and Davon House sit atop the cornerback market. When the waves settle, one name to keep an eye on is free agent inside linebacker Curtis Lofton.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported yesterday that Lofton had been released from the New Orleans Saints in an effort to create relief from the league’s ugliest cap situation. Lofton’s release will save the Saints $4.25 million against the salary cap. He was released under the “failed physical” designation following a minor shoulder scope in January, but is expected to be fully recovered within the month.

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Lofton was a second round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2008, the same season the club selected Matt Ryan, and signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2012 on a 5 year, $27.5 million contract with $7.8 million guaranteed. The Saints are in a dire situation, but Lofton’s release comes as a surprise nonetheless as he is the quarterback of their defense and a locker room leader. New Orleans had originally tried to trade Lofton, but without leverage, there was little traction.

Where do the Packers fit into this? Green Bay is very much in the market to add at least one inside linebacker, and could be seeking an impact starter to place alongside Sam Barrington. The Packers also struggled mightily against the run in 2014 due to the struggles of the now-departed A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones.

Curtis Lofton has experience playing in Rob Ryan’s 3-4 defensive scheme in New Orleans, putting up 125 tackles in 2013, his first year in that system. Last season, Lofton ranked fourth in the NFL with 145 tackles, 100 of which were solo. At 6’0″ and 241 pounds, Lofton is not a hulking specimen on the inside, but possesses size similar to Hawk and Barrington.

Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is tackled by New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Saints won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

His playing style has been that of an interior run thumper in the 3-4 scheme. Watching Lofton on tape, many of his plays can be described simply as “see ballcarrier, attack ballcarrier”. The 3-4 scheme does put inside linebackers up against blocks from guards often, and Lofton has struggled to disengage from these to create backfield disruption or quarterback pressure. There is much to be said for consistent productivity, though. Lofton has started every game of his seven year career, recording 100+ tackles in each of the last six seasons.

The reason that I draw a line between he and the Packers stronger than I would with another free agent is the fact that he was cut. Because of this, the Packers would not be required to forfeit a compensatory draft pick next offseason, which Ted Thompson values heavily.

Green Bay fans should be familiar with this situation, as Julius Peppers was released one year ago, on March 11th. If Peppers had of been a tradition free agent, Green Bay would be forced to part with a mid-round pick to the Chicago Bears in this April’s draft.

Contract demands, of course, will guide any potential interest that the Packers have in Lofton. If the Packers are able to retain a high number of their own players, Lofton could become too rich for their taste. However, in the situation that two of Bulaga, Williams and House sign elsewhere, the remaining cap space could be used to add a very productive linebacker to the heart of Green Bay’s defense.

Next: Green Bay Packers free agent target: Bruce Carter

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