Ken Hamlin

Hamlin had an inconsistent season in 2008, boosting his tackles total to 74 and recording a sack but pulling down just one INT and garnering some criticism for his weak coverage skills. With safety Roy Williams gone the Cowboys could shift Hamlin to strong safety, where he could concern himself more with punishing receivers rather than running with them, but despite his big contract another season like 2008 could see him cut loose by Dallas.

Hamlin set a career high with five picks in 2007, but saw his tackle total drop by 34. He should be good for another four or five interceptions and make a few more tackles than last season.

So that settles that. Hamlin missed most of 2005 after fracturing his skull, or having it fractured that is, in a fight outside a bar. That and the attendant blood clot in his brain sent us into cliché land: football became unimportant, and just recovering to a healthy life took center stage. But returning to football was a motivating goal for Hamlin, nicknamed the Hammer for his hard hitting. He returned, but no one thought he'd turn in his best year as a pro, resuming his smashmouth ways. After 96 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions in a full 16-game season, there‘s little doubt about Hamlin. He's got a rare combination of hitting and coverage ability. He's got the size and punishing attitude to fill holes against the run, but also the hip control, speed and playmaking hands to play man coverage. The final ingredients are strong recognition and instincts to know which mode to play. Moving to Dallas, he'll allow strong safety Roy Williams to do his thing in the box. That means the team will shy away from cover 2 and use Hamlin as a true center fielder. Our boy the Hammer is back.

Still recovering from a fractured skull that cut short his 2005, Hamlin is too much of an injury risk to bother drafting as an IDP. A bar fight last October left him in intensive care with his brains bashed in (literally). Can the Hammer survive an NFL pounding? Let's hope so.

Hamlin leads a Seattle secondary that is not only the strength of the defense, but could end up being one of the league's better units. Hamlin is a major-league hitter, as his nickname, the Hammer, attests. He had 80 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions last season. He might lose some tackles as the Seahawks should be improved up front, but the Hammer will be pounding. Offseason shoulder surgery is not expected to limit him.

The Hammer had 98 tackles, eight pass deflections and one interception in an impressive 2003 rookie season. More of the same is expected this year from Hamlin, who unleashes skull-rattling hits reminiscent of Seahawks great Kenny Easley. A year under his belt, Hamlin is only getting better and could prove useful as an IDP.

Hamlin is a big hitter who could work into the starting lineup. His immediate impact figures to be on special teams, but don't be surprised if he gets regular playing time on defense and he eventually starts a few games. He will push Damien Robinson at free safety.