Who Will Be This Year's Ndamukong Suh in NFC North Rookie Class?

Last year the Detroit Lions received kudos for drafting major contributors like defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and running back Jahvid Best. 

This spring they added three players via the NFL draft that should have instant impacts in what we hope is the 2011 NFL season.

Here is an assessment of the players on each NFC North team that should and need to make major contributions to their respective franchises.

Detroit Lions Impact Rookie No 1: Fairley Makes the "Silver Crush" Scarier

The Detroit Lions' defensive line was pretty scary before head coach Jim Schwartz settled on the "Silver Crush" name tag during the offseason, and the addition of defensive tackle Nick Fairley makes them even scarier.

Some pre-draft experts rated Fairley as one of the top five players in the 2011 NFL draft, but teams' needs often dictate their selections, so Lions general manager Martin Mayhem and Schwartz jumped at the opportunity to pick the Auburn defensive tackle when he slipped to No. 13 in the first round of the draft.

Fairley may not contribute as much as Pepsi Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh did in 2010, but he will be a highly valued member of the "Silver Crush." 

In the NFL of the 21st Century, you need to rotate your players on the defensive line. Add Fairley to the mix with tackles Suh, Corey Williams, and Sammie Hill, plus defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril, and you've got more than four linemen capable of sacking the quarterback and stuffing the opposition's run game.

Detroit Lions Impact Rookie No. 2: Titus Young Is a Speedy Wide Receiver

Detroit's Calvin Johnson was one of the NFL's top wide receivers in 2010. With the addition of Boise State's Titus Young, the Lions' vertical passing game should be even more explosive.

Certainly, quarterback Matthew Stafford is not complaining. 

He has Johnson, Young, and Nate Burleson as wide receivers and Brandon Pettigrew (another emerging star) and Tony Scheffler at tight end.

The real challenge will be directed toward the offensive line, who must give Stafford time to throw to his receivers and plow open lanes for the Lions running backs.

Detroit Lions Impact Rookie No. 3: Mike Leshoure Ready to Run with Best

The Lions moved up to the No. 25 spot in the second round of the draft to select Michael Leshoure. They are counting on Illinois' leading rusher from 2010 to be the perfect complement to starter Jahvid Best.

If Best is lightning in the Lions backfield, Leshoure is thunder—he is bigger than Best and not afraid to collide with defenders.

Leshoure is a 230-pound running back who was selected as a Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press in 2010. He holds the Illini season records for rushing yards (1,697) and points scored (122).

Chicago Bears Impact Rookie No. 1: Carimi Will Help an Offensive Line in Need

Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi was the best Big Ten offensive lineman in the 2011 NFL draft.  He is the perfect selection for the Bears because he is versatile enough to play guard or tackle.

It wouldn't be surprising if quarterback Jay Cutler and running backs Matt Forte and Chester Taylor were the first three Bears to give the Badger lineman a big hug and welcome him to training camp when the lockout is over.

With Carimi anchoring the left side of the Badger offensive line, Wisconsin rushed for 3,194 yards and 48 touchdowns in 2010.

Chicago Bears Impact Rookie No. 2: Paea Should Start at Defensive Tackle

Before he was a defensive coordinator, Rod Marinelli was a defensive line coach.  He therefore knows the value of a strong defensive line, and tackle Stephen Paea will be a valuable addition to the Bear's already tough defense.

Chicago's second pick played in all 13 games for Oregon State in 2010, during which time he had 41 tackles (11 for a loss) and five quarterback sacks. 

He should start alongside tackle Matt Toeaimo and defensive ends Julius Peppers and Israel Idonjie.

Green Bay Packers Impact Rookie No. 1: Derek Sherrod Brings Youth to O-Line

What could the NFL champions need?  Derek Sherroda —a talented, young offensive lineman —will provide some much needed depth at tackle.

Sherrod played left tackle for Mississippi State and did an excellent job of keeping opposing defensive linemen out of the Bulldog backfield.

He started all 12 games his junior year and helped Mississippi State lead the SEC in rushing and his teammate, running back Anthony Dixon, set a new school rushing record for yards in a single season, with 1,391.

Green Bay Packer Impact Rookie No. 2: Cobb Adds More Speed to Receiving Corps

It's confusing enough to figure out which of five eligible receivers is going to catch a pass thrown by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Now Green Bay has added Kentucky's Randall Cobb to amp up their aerial attack.

The Kentucky wide receiver tied the school record for career touchdowns with 32. 

He scored four touchdowns against an undefeated Auburn team on October 9, 2010. 

If Cobb does not mind sharing wide receiver duties with Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Jordy Nelson, then he'll be catching his fair share of touchdown passes from Rodgers.

Minnesota Vikings Impact Rookie: Kyle Rudolph to Strengthen TE Spot

Tight end Kyle Rudolph ran the best "escape" routes in college football last year—whenever a Notre Dame quarterback was in trouble, he could spot Rudolph and throw him the ball.

Notre Dame's former tight end is being compared to Chicago's Greg Olson and Dallas's Jason Witten, which suggests that when the Viking's quarterback is in trouble, he'll be looking for Rudolph to make the key catch.

Since Minnesota already has a No.1 tight end in Visanthe Shiancoe, look for Rudolph to appear on the field in two-tight-end formations. 

Maybe a little trickery will help the Vikings' offense.