"The verdict is on whether the Green Bay Packers should have drafted A.J. Hawk or Vernon Davis with the fifth pick of the 2006 draft: Davis.

After three seasons of poor production and immature behavior, Davis this season has blossomed into a playmaking tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. Hawk, whom the Packers chose at No. 5 overall, hasn't been much more than an average starting linebacker since his rookie season.

Davis (6-feet-3 ½ and 250 pounds) finally is performing at a level approaching the stunning talent he showed as star of the '06 NFL scouting combine. He's the 49ers' leading receiver (45 catches), leads all tight ends in the NFL in touchdown receptions (seven) and is a player the Packers likely will build their defensive game plan around Sunday at Lambeau Field.

"The guy you have to deal with in that offense is Vernon Davis, you have to start there," said a defensive coach whose team recently played the 49ers. "He is a freak. They took him with the sixth pick and for the first few years he really didn't do a whole lot, but he has become the focal point of their passing game."

Looking back, it's no surprise Ted Thompson, the Packers' general manager, selected Hawk ahead of Davis in '06. Hawk was more of Thompson's kind of a prospect for such a major decision: smart and driven, strongly committed to football and with good measurables, though some scouts questioned whether he'd already reached his talent ceiling. He was the safer pick of the two.

However, after a decent rookie year, Hawk has leveled off and hasn't shown the strength or explosiveness he displayed as a college standout at Ohio State. And as this season has gone on, he's been phased out of a big chunk of playing time. When Brandon Chillar and Nick Barnett are healthy, Hawk leaves the field in the nickel defense, which has rendered him to a bit player against some opponents.

Last week against Dallas, Hawk had one of the better games of his career – he played in the nickel because Chillar was out with a broken hand – and showed a little more of a burst as an inside blitzer, though he had no sacks. But in the past two seasons he hasn't followed up that kind of a performance with another of its ilk, and he figures to go back to his more limited role when Chillar returns, which could be this week."