Sean Payton believes Jonathan Vilma will have a role in the New Orleans Saints' 3-4 defense.

Payton said he can see Vilma playing an outside linebacker spot in the new 3-4 scheme.

"Yeah, I don't think anyone wants to place him over that guard bubble and have to take on that block," Payton said. "And I think he's a guy that runs to the ball and has great vision, very instinctual football player. I think you take some of that away if all of a sudden he's playing over an uncovered guard and now his size becomes an issue.

"A lot of things may concern you with a player change. So, he'll play over on that weakside position and I that will be very similar to what he did this past year. Curtis Lofton, who's a little heavier, will play on that strong inside Mike position. So I think that part of it for those two guys transition pretty well."

Vilma is scheduled to make $4.8 million in base salary and hold a salary cap figure of $8.6 million.