David

Hawthorne

The signing bonus was nice, but Hawthorne’s contract is incredibly cap friendly in 2012 ($1.46 million), and it doesn’t sound like he has any guaranteed money beyond the first year. Every top-end free agent inside linebacker ended up accepting contracts worth far less than anticipated. D’Qwell Jackson’s $42.5 million over five years doesn’t look very good for the Browns right now.

The Seattle Times also indicated after the season that the Seahawks wanted more speed at inside linebacker. Hawthorne can stuff the run with the best of them, but doesn’t run particularly well. The Seahawks are expected to place a higher priority on re-signing free agents Marshawn Lynch and DE Red Bryant.

The Saints are overhauling their linebacker corps, perhaps in anticipation of a string of “Bounty” suspensions. In spite of their ongoing offseason woes and relatively little salary cap space, the Saints have done well in free agency. An effective run-stopper at middle linebacker in Seattle last season, Hawthorne will likely switch back to the weak side in New Orleans with Curtis Lofton slated for “mike” duties. The Seahawks seemed to be hoping their leading tackler over the past three seasons would return at a cheap rate after originally being greeted by a soft market.

If Vilma is suspended, as expected, Lofton will move back to the middle with David Hawthorne on the weak side and Scott Shanle on the strong side. Chris Chamberlain, signed away from the Rams, could end up competing for snaps with Shanle.

The Lions are looking at fallback options for free agent Stephen Tulloch, who is seeking top dollar for an inside linebacker. Hawthorne is arguably a more effective run stopper than Tulloch, though he’d likely come off the field on third downs. We still wouldn’t envision a dramatic downgrade for Detroit.

Hawthorne is an underrated run-stuffer than can play in the middle or on the weak side. He piled up 115 tackles in a two-down role for the Seahawks last season. With Jo-Lonn Dunbar testing the free agent market and David Herring a cap casualty candidate, the Saints have a need.

The Bears would ostensibly play Hawthorne on the strong side, and perhaps kick him into the middle eventually as 34-year-old Brian Urlacher’s successor. Hawthorne is only a two-down run thumper, but he’s outstanding in the role. The 27-year-old has averaged 113 tackles per year over the past three seasons.

Hawthorne visited the Saints and Lions, but both teams have since filled their holes at middle linebacker. His best option could be returning to Seattle on a one-year deal and hitting the market again next offseason.

Rotoworld matchups guru Evan Silva points out that speedy wideout DeSean Jackson could be in for a breakout game because Sherman and Brandon Browner are “big-bodied, stiff-hipped” corners. Seahawks inactives: QB Josh Portis, OT Jarriel King, OL Allen Barbre, DT Pep Levingston, LB Adrian Moten, CB Byron Maxwell, and S Jeron Johnson.

“They want to get faster at linebacker and they could easily slide K.J. Wright inside,” O’Neil speculated. "... He’d probably be a cheaper alternative than bringing David back. So there’s a possibility that Hawthorne could move on.” One of the better run-stopping inside linebackers in football, Hawthorne is only 26 years old and should appeal to both 3-4 and 4-3 teams.