Ballhawkin': Unknown Seahawk Emerges

Think IDP leagues are the way to go? Then Ballhawkin' is for you. Here, we pick out a few Individual Defensive Players that could have huge weeks and are possibly sitting in your free-agent pool.

With Lofa Tatupu battling a hamstring injury, the Seahawks started unheralded second-year player David Hawthorne at middle linebacker. All Hawthorne did was rack up 15 solo tackles, an assist on a tackle, and an interception against Jay Cutler and the Bears. With that kind of production and tackling ability, the Seahawks look to have found a potential starter down the road, and at the very least they've established great depth at the position. Hawthorne is a great spot-starter should Tatupu miss any more games.

Linebackers

1. Larry Foote, Lions. Speaking of Hawthorne, he racked up his impressive numbers against the Bears, who now must square off against a Lions team riding high after their first win since 2007. Foote was snatched up by Detroit after being released by the Steelers, and he's settled in nicely in the middle of their defense, earning at least nine total tackles in each of the first three games. Considering the Detroit line is incapable of stopping a running game, Foote is a must-own in all leagues.

2. E.J. Henderson, Vikings. Despite being listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Henderson played and played well, racking up 13 total tackles after notching 15 total tackles combined in his first two games. He's been an IDP stud when healthy, which was most recently in 2007, and he looks to have regained form in 2009. Pick him up and feel comfortable with him as your LB2.

3. Brian Cushing, Texans. The 2009 first-round pick out of USC is making quite an impact early in his career, posting eight total tackles or more in each of his first three games, and a total of three passes defensed. Since running backs are easily getting to the second level of the Houston defense, and it appears like that will be the case all season, Cushing is going to rack up tackles in his first season.

Defensive Backs

1. Bryan Scott, Bills. Scott was a bit of a surprise when announced as a starter for the Bills, but he's done a great job as the last line of defense for Buffalo, posting at least eight tackles in each game so far this season. This week he travels to Miami to take on the Dolphins, who will be giving quarterback Chad Henne the first start of his career. It's very likely Henne throws an interception or two, and Scott could very well be on the receiving end of one of those picks en route to a big day.

2. Antoine Bethea, Colts. Bethea has been a monster the last two weeks, posting eight total tackles and an interception in each. He also recovered a fumble in Sunday night's game against Arizona and has shown a great tendency to be around the ball. It doesn't get any harder for Bethea, as the Colts take on the Seahawks with Seneca Wallace likely at QB. Bethea should rack up some tackles and make a couple more big plays in that one.

Defensive Lineman

1. Ray Edwards, Vikings. I've been high on Edwards for a while, and I thought he was going to be a breakout talent in 2008. Alas, he finished with just 4.5 sacks on the year. However, 2009 looks like it may be his year, as he opened the season with consecutive games in which he recorded a sack. In Week 2, he also added eight tackles to his line. Week 3 was a letdown, but he gets the benefit of facing the Packers this week. Remember Antwan Odom's big game in Week 2?