Washington Redskins Should Sign Curtis Lofton as London Fletcher's Successor

The Washington Redskins should act quickly and sign Atlanta Falcons star Curtis Lofton as the natural successor to London Fletcher.

NFL.com has reported that the Falcons have acquired former Seattle Seahawks star middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu. This should encourage the Redskins to make a serious push for Lofton once free agency opens on Tuesday.

Lofton is a rising star in the NFL. The cerebral middle linebacker is one of the most active and fundamentally sound tacklers in the game.

Aged 25, Lofton perfectly fits the Redskins move towards a younger roster and could become the focal point of the run defense for the next decade. There may be some concern that Lofton has operated in a 4-3 his entire career and would have to adapt to the Redskins 3-4 front.

However, it should be noted that Fletcher quickly managed the same transition. At 6'0" and 241 pounds, Lofton has the size and intelligence to easily master a switch to a 3-4 front.

Fletcher has been the unquestioned leader of the Redskins defense since signing for the team in 2007. Yet at 37, the end of his career is fast approaching. While Bruce Allen has spoke of the desire to bring Fletcher back, a new deal has yet to be realised.

Recent rumors have even indicated that Fletcher would be open to playing elsewhere in 2012. Signing Lofton adds a genuine blue chipper to the linebacking corps.

He could partner Fletcher inside for a season or two and is talented enough to replace him as the signal caller for the defense, when Fletcher retires.

Yet if a new agreement can't be reached between the Redskins and Fletcher, Lofton could replace the stellar veteran immediately and offer a similar level of production.

Lofton would have a lot of suitors on the open market, but Washington has the cap room to make a deal like this happen.

Following the spectacular trade to move up to the No. 2 spot in the 2012 draft, signing Lofton would send a clear message that the Redskins are ready to be serious contenders in 2012.