Source: Raiders add Williams, Lofton
The Oakland Raiders continued to revamp their defense, agreeing to contracts with defensive tackle Dan Williams and linebacker Curtis Lofton on Wednesday, a source told ESPN.com's Michael C. Wright.
Terms of Williams' deal weren't immediately known, but Lofton agreed to a three-year contract, a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson.
On Tuesday, the Raiders agreed to a deal with former Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith, as the linebacker left the Seattle Seahawks to join Oakland, which will be led by new coach Jack Del Rio this season.
Williams, a former first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, was consistent and dependable during his four years in Arizona. Lofton, who was a captain and the leading tackler for the New Orleans Saints in 2014, was released by the team this week in a salary-cap move.
Lofton, 28, ranked fourth in the NFL with 144 tackles.
Williams battled weight issues during his first few years in Arizona but was able to get it under control during the last two years. However, Williams' playing time never reflected his lower weight and improved play. He averaged 334 snaps the last two years and recorded his second career sack in Week 9 at Dallas.
Williams, 27, finished his tenure in Arizona with 156 tackles, while helping the Cardinals to the No. 1 rushing defense in 2013 and a No. 13 ranking in 2014.
Lofton isn't a dynamic athlete, but he has always been a standout player as an inside thumper against the run. Lofton never had fewer than 123 tackles in his three years with the Saints, with a total of three sacks and four forced fumbles in that span. He has averaged 126 tackles per season in his seven-year career, never missing a game and starting all but one of them in his rookie year (2008, with the Falcons).