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Packers’ Hawk, Steelers’ Holmes also among NFL’s incoming stars

By Don Pierson
NBCSports.com contributor
Updated: 4:10 p.m. ET May 3, 2006


Last year, the third running back drafted, Cadillac Williams, made a bigger difference than the first two, Ronnie Brown and Cedric Benson.

Two years ago, the third quarterback drafted, Ben Roethlisberger, made a bigger difference than the first two, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers.

Three years ago, the third defensive tackle drafted, Kevin Williams, made a bigger difference than the first two, Dewayne Robertson and Johnathan Sullivan.


All of them were drafted among the first 11 players, so their performances as rookies couldn’t be linked entirely to the quality of teams they joined.

Looking ahead, does that mean third quarterback Jay Cutler will outperform Matt Leinart and Vince Young? Will third linebacker Chad Greenway outperform A.J. Hawk and Ernie Sims? Will third safety Jason Allen outperform Michael Huff and Donte Whitner?

Here’s a prediction of which top draftees will make the biggest difference this year and which won’t:

To see who will make a difference, click here:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12612061/

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