Super Bowl 2012: Ranking Top Playmakers in Epic Super Bowl Rematch

Tom Brady and Eli Manning are dominating the headlines, but there will be elite playmakers all over the field in Super Bowl XLVI.

Although the two stars deserve the attention they're receiving, plenty of players will leave their fingerprints on this epic Super Bowl rematch.

These five non-quarterbacks are most capable of making a game-changing play on football's biggest stage.

5. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants

This year, Nicks had the best regular season of his young career, catching 76 passes for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns.

In the playoffs, he's been even better. He put up 115 yards and two touchdowns against the Falcons, then raised the bar again by going for 165 yards and two more scores against the Packers.

The 49ers slowed him down in the NFC Championship Game, but their secondary is much better than New England's.

Look for Nicks to shred the Patriots sub-par defensive backs.

4. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Giants

Pierre-Paul exploded onto the scene this season.

The 23-year-old registered 86 tackles (65 solo) and finished fourth in the NFL with 16.5 sacks. He hasn't been as effective in the postseason, but he will be relentless in pursuing Tom Brady.

The Baltimore Ravens were able to rough up Brady in the AFC title game. If Pierre-Paul can take a page out of their book, he will give his team a major advantage. 

3. Victor Cruz, WR, Giants

Like Pierre-Paul, Cruz is a second-year player that put up big numbers this season.

He finished ninth in the NFL in receptions (82), third in receiving yards (1,536) and sixth in touchdowns (9).

He struggled in the first two rounds of the playoffs, but he rebounded by lighting up San Francisco with 10 catches for 142 yards.

Cruz is one of the most dangerous playmakers in the league, as evidenced by his 99-yard touchdown reception against the Jets. He'll need to be on point if the Giants are going to keep pace with the Patriots offense.

2. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots

Gronkowski is currently listed as questionable, but I'd be shocked if he sat out the biggest game of his career.

The 22-year-old out of Arizona is a fierce competitor, and his play has been a crucial element of New England's success.

In the regular season, he staked his claim as the best tight end in the league. He led the NFL in touchdown catches (17) while finishing fifth in receptions (90) and sixth in yards (1,327).

He's a monster in the redzone and a matchup nightmare for every defense he faces. In the divisional round, Gronk had 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns against Denver.

I'm expecting a similarly dominant performance from him in the Super Bowl.

1. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots

Despite Gronkowsi's emergence, Welker is still Brady's favorite target. And despite the presence of Nicks and Cruz, he is the best wide receiver in this game.

Welker led the NFL in with 122 receptions and only Calvin Johnson had more receiving yards in the regular season.

In two playoff games, Welker only has 12 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. Don't be surprised if he equals those totals on Super Bowl Sunday.