Green Bay -- The Green Bay Packers have interest in free agent linebacker Manny Lawson, according to a league source. The two sides have been in discussions.

Lawson, the 22nd overall pick by San Francisco in the 2006 draft, has 292 tackles and 16 sacks in six NFL seasons. The outside linebacker hasn't rushed the passer as well as expected at this level but has been strong in the run game and covers well.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder from N.C. State came into the league with rare physical tools. At his combine in 2006, Lawson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, had a vertical leap of 39.5 inches and a broad jump of 124 inches. With the Wolfpack, he played on the same line as Mario Williams.

Lawson is the sixth-best linebacker available on Bob McGinn's 2012 free agency breakdown. His best pro season came in 2009 with San Francisco when he had 6.5 sacks and 51 solo tackles. Lawson wasn't re-signed by the 49ers a year ago, playing 2011 on a one-year, $3 million deal with Cincinnati. Last year with the Bengals, Lawson was used mostly on running downs. The 27-year-old finished with 52 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He's versatile, having played in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes.

Pro Football Talk ranks Lawson as the 60th-best free agent this off-season.

The Packers may make a change at right outside linebacker this off-season after never finding a clear-cut answer in 2011. Erik Walden was the starter most of the year before his play regressed. His agent said Monday that he'd like to return but isn't sure how close the two sides are. It'd likely be a short-term deal. Coach Mike McCarthy also spoke highly of Brad Jones after the season.

Green Bay may look to upgrade its pass rush in the draft as well. The Packers finished with only 29 sacks last season, 27th in the NFL.

Either way, the interest in Lawson sounds genuine so far.

Journal Sentinel photo by Mark Hoffman