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2010 stats (including playoffs): 127 tackles, .5 sacks, 3 interceptions

Rundown: A.J. Hawk may never live up to his fifth-overall selection status, but the truth remains that he slowly became one of the Packers' most important players on defense.

Hawk is a sure tackler, has started all 80 games of his career and was a captain throughout the Packers' playoff run. However, with a base salary of $10 million next season, he becomes a de facto free agent for next season.

Prediction: While Hawk has often been vilified in Green Bay, he stepped up to the plate this season for the Packers.

When Nick Barnett went down early in the season, Hawk took over primary control of leading the defense and the Packers defense actually got better.

Green Bay's best defensive 11 would feature Hawk alongside Desmond Bishop—who recently got a four-year contract extension—which leaves Barnett as the odd man out.

At just 27 years old, Hawk could command a significant chunk of change on the market, but look for the Packers to re-sign Hawk under a more reasonable contract than the $10 million he was due for next season.