NFL Rumors: New Orleans Saints to Target MLB Curtis Lofton?

Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma remains on the New Orleans Saints roster, but that hasn't stopped the team from expressing an interest in a player at his position during free agency.   

According to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, the Saints "are showing interest" in Atlanta Falcons' free-agent linebacker Curtis Lofton. 

On the surface, it appears as if Vilma's job status in New Orleans may be in trouble.

As a leading face of the Saints' bounty scandal and a player in decline, Vilma is a candidate to be released by the Saints sometime this spring. New Orleans would save $3.4 million in cap space if Vilma was let go.

While Lofton is young (25 years old) and productive (almost 500 tackles over four NFL seasons), he hasn't garnered the kind of interest on the free-agent market that some expected. 

If the Saints can get him at a relative bargain, they'd accomplish a number of things. 

First, New Orleans would get an upgrade at middle linebacker in both the present and future.

According to Pro Football Focus, Vilma ranked as the No. 47 inside linebacker in 2011. In comparison, Lofton was No. 15. At just 25-years-old, Lofton represents a player that should be entering the prime of his career. Vilma will be 30 in a month and has regressed in recent seasons.   

The Saints would also rid themselves of a player at the forefront of arguably the franchise's worst scandal. That public relations move alone might be worth cutting Vilma.  

Lastly, New Orleans would be taking a good football player off a division rival. While the Falcons signed Lofa Tatupu to potentially replace Lofton, that's a clear downgrade for Atlanta.

No visit has even been set up between the two sides, so consider this nothing more than early interest. We'll get a better idea at the level of mutual interest if Lofton schedules a visit in the coming days.