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New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

The New Orleans Saints created a huge vacancy in the middle of their defense by releasing captain and signal caller Curtis Lofton on Monday.

They'll have even more holes to fill if they elect to release fellow inside linebacker David Hawthorne and/or let top backup Ramon Humber walk in free agency.

The bad news is that there aren't many can't-miss options waiting to replace them in free agency or the draft. The good news is they should be somewhat affordable.

The draft. The Saints have never drafted a linebacker in the first two rounds in the Sean Payton-Mickey Loomis era, in part because the coaching staff has preferred veterans acquired via trade or free agency. But maybe they'll force themselves to change that approach this year if they keep the cupboard bare. No inside linebackers jump off the page as a potential pick for the Saints at No. 13 in Round 1. But Washington's Shaq Thompson, UCLA's Eric Kendricks, Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney and Miami (Fla.)'s Denzel Perryman are potential second-round options.

Mason Foster, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Age 26, 6-1, 241. Foster is a middle linebacker who has started ever since his rookie year in 2011, showing nice potential (a total of 281 tackles, five interceptions, six sacks and two forced fumbles in his first three years). However, Foster battled minor injuries last year and reportedly wasn't a great fit in new coach Lovie Smith's Tampa 2 defense, which calls for the middle linebacker to be heavily involved in pass coverage. That could make him a younger, cheaper version of Lofton. The Saints have expressed interest, according to NOLA.com's Larry Holder.

Brandon Spikes, Buffalo Bills. Age 27, 6-2, 255. Another guy who has earned a reputation as a standout physical run-stuffer who is limited in pass coverage. Spikes is widely regarded as a two-down linebacker -- but a very good one. He had 54 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble last year in 10 starts after spending his first four years in New England.

Rolando McClain, Dallas Cowboys. Age 25, 6-4, 259. McClain had a resurgent year in 2014 after a turbulent start to his career with the Oakland Raiders. The former No. 8 pick in the draft retired twice before coming back with the Baltimore Ravens and being dealt to Dallas. McClain battled a variety of injuries last year but still finished with 81 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one sack.

Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears. Age 34, 6-1, 244. The seven-time Pro Bowler has primarily played outside linebacker in a 4-3 system but could move inside. Briggs missed eight games last year with groin and rib injuries but remains a solid run defender and finished with 34 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

Akeem Ayers, New England Patriots. Age 25, 6-3, 255. A versatile, athletic linebacker who could play inside or outside, Ayers revived his career after being traded from Tennessee to New England last year. He had four sacks over the final nine games while being used mostly as a pass-rusher. But he has experience playing inside, too, in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes.

Malcolm Smith, Seattle Seahawks. Age 25, 6-0, 226. Smith was the Super Bowl MVP a year ago after returning an interception 69 yards for a touchdown in Seattle's win over Denver. But he remained only a part-time starter as a 4-3 outside linebacker last season with 37 tackles, two forced fumbles, zero sacks and zero interceptions.

Justin Durant, Dallas Cowboys. Age 29, 6-1, 230. Durant has been a solid, versatile linebacker for eight years in Dallas, Detroit and Jacksonville. He played in only six games last year because of a biceps tear, but he still managed 49 tackles, an interception and two forced fumbles. ESPN scouting analyst KC Joyner, who said he tends to take the Al Davis approach to not over-investing in linebackers, suggested Durant as a good short-term solution for New Orleans.

Bruce Carter, Dallas Cowboys. Age 27, 6-2, 240. Carter has been more of an up-and-down player in his career as a starting outside linebacker, but the good stretches have been intriguing. He had three interceptions and three tackles-for-loss in Dallas' final three games last year, and he had 11 tackles in the regular-season finale

Nate Irving, Denver Broncos. Age 26, 6-1, 245. Another projected two-down linebacker who is better against the run than the pass. Irving became a full-time starter for the first time last year, but he was limited to eight games because of a knee injury. He had 46 tackles and one sack.