NFL Free Agency: Predicting Where the Top 5 Free Agent LBs Will Land

The NFL's hot stove is heating up, and when the free-agent floodgates open, a host of talented linebackers will hit the open market.

This year's linebacker corps doesn't have a ton of big names, but it does have the type of talents a team can use to anchor a quality defense.

In Seattle, the Seahawks thought so highly of David Hawthorne that they chose him over former franchise savior Lofa Tatupu in 2011. Now, the Seahawks are going to fork over big money to ensure Hawthorne stays in the Emerald City.

In a fun game of linebacker musical chairs, Tatupu landed in Atlanta, which has Falcons incumbent LB Curtis Lofton looking for a new home.

The NFL's decision to strip the Washington Redskins of a boatload of cap room will open the door for the division rival Philadelphia Eagles to swoop in and steal the Redskins' top tackler, London Fletcher.

Then, there is the big fish in the free-agent pond: Mario Williams. Williams made the move to OLB when the Texans went to a 3-4 last year, and despite going down with an injury, he has the type of innate pass-rushing skills that can transform a defense.

Let's take a look at where the top-five free-agent LBs will land in this edition of Spotlight.

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