The Los Angeles Rams have made some huge moves this offseason, and arguably none was bigger than cutting linebacker James Laurinaitis. The new free agent linebacker is gaining strong interest across the league, and one team that wants to get a jump on the talented linebacker is the New Orleans Saints, according to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport.
New Orleans is reportedly hoping to bring Laurinaitis in for a visit with the team next week, and is expected to have multiple suitors on the open market. The former second round pick has been a model of consistency since entering the league in 2009, and has recorded over 100 combined tackles each season since being drafted.
Laurinaitis has not missed a game in his seven-year NFL career, and is coming off another impactful season in which he recorded 109 combined tackles, a sack, forced a fumble, and recorded an interception. The former Rams linebacker is all over the field on Sundays making stops against both the run and pass, and was likely only cut as the team is trying to create cap space to re-sign cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Janoris Jenkins.
The Saints could use Laurinaitis immediately next season, as they finished dead last in the league in terms of points allowed. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has made it known that the team is looking to upgrade their defense through the 2016 NFL Draft, but the addition of a player like Laurinaitis could have an immediate impact for the team Week One.
Multiple teams could have interest in the free agent linebacker, as the Giants could be in the market for a top-tier linebacker like Laurinaitis, as their defense also clearly struggled during the 2015 season. The Saints are reportedly getting to the front of the line on the talented free agent, and it will be interesting to watch how many teams call the former Rams linebacker as his will be a hot commodity on the free agent market this offseason.
