While three of the four teams were competitive, 2016 should be considered a down year for the NFC North as a whole. The Packers started off snail slow but eventually got red hot and made a deep playoff run, while contrarily the Vikings started off hot and faded hard by Thanksgiving. The Lions remained steady for most of the year, but failed to make the playoffs, while the Bears were a dumpster fire from the first coin toss of the season. The more I really think about it – outside of Aaron Rodgers, the NFC North is a division devoid of identity. There are few imposing defenses, an underwhelming amount of dynamic playmakers, and despite his excellent 2016 I still have my questions about Matthew Stafford's "elite" status, giving the NFC North only one definite top-tier quarterback. Luckily for all included parties, they have the NFL Draft this April to make significant improvements to their otherwise underwhelming rosters.

Chicago Bears

2016 Record: 3-13

2017 Draft Picks: 3, 36, 67, 111, 117, 147, 221

As I said above, the Bears were god-awful last season, and while many of their shortcomings in 2016 can be attributed to quarterback issues, make no mistake, this roster is seriously lacking in the talent department. Luckily for them their 3-13 record afforded them the third overall pick in a very good draft class, and while they addressed the quarterback position in the free agency frenzy earlier this offseason, the Bears can now fully focus their attention in the draft towards filling their other roster holes...

Below I have narrowed down their top needs to the following positions in descending order, ranked by importance:

| Offensive Tackle, Strong Safety, Wide Receiver, Cornerback, Defensive End, Tight End |

Picking so early in the first round, the Bears are afforded the luxury of going in a variety of directions, while still getting a franchise-altering player. In my most recent mock I have Chicago going with LSU safety Jamal Adams in hopes of giving their defense a true leader and tone setter. If the Bears plan on answering my questions of their team identity, getting Adams can effectively can silence the concerns. He's a hall of fame level talent whom I have compared to Eric Berry and have seen others compare to Darren Woodson. Simply put, this guy is the real deal and I see almost no holes in his game.

 

Early in the second round, Chicago will be looking to fill their biggest void -- offensive tackle. Right now they have Bobbie Massie and Charles Leno as their bookend starting tackles; less than inspiring I know. Picking early in the second round should afford the Bears the chance to get a talented upgrade at the position. My most recent first round mock is devoid of big Alabama tackle Cam Robinson, and while many consider him first round caliber, I have a feeling the Bears will be able to snag him at the top of the second. Because of Robinson's technique limitations in pass protection and because of his road grader mentality in the run game, he will be best suited for the Bears on the right side as a plug and play starter coming out of training camp.

We’ve done a good job so far filling the Bears most dire needs with their first two picks, however in the third round I believe that their early slotted selection gives them an opportunity to take an impact player, despite having it fill one of their less desperate needs...

Gerald Everett out of South Alabama is a guy who I outlined in my NFC East Draft Needs article, and while I liked his fit with the Giants, I equally like his fit in Chicago. As I explained, Everett gives you ample versatility at the position in that he can be lined up all over – slot, in-line, H-back, etc. – and give you the best qualities at every spot. In-line, Everett is a willing and accomplished blocker, while his skills as a pass catcher out of the slot resemble that of Marques Colston, or more realistically, Quincy Enunwa. He can join this Bears offense right now and potentially be their biggest matchup nightmare in Week 1.

On to the fourth, and we still haven’t addressed the Bears needs at cornerback, wide receiver, or defensive end. Playing the board, I believe the best player potentially available towards the beginning of the round would be Cal wide receiver Chad Hansen. I also considered Louisiana Tech wideout Carlos Henderson, however looking at the Bears current roster, they are flush with guys who fit his almost exact mold – an undersized, speedy and smooth slot receiver. In Hansen, the Bears would instead be getting a well built (6-foot-2, 205 lbs.) outside target who specializes in hand catching and high-pointing the football. He’s a long strider with easy speed (4.45 40-time at pro day) and he has a flair for the spectacular catch when afforded the opportunity. He could end up being a favorite of new quarterback Mike Glennon because his ability to catch the difficult throws will make life that much easier for a first time starting QB. Simply put, in the fourth round, this would be incredible value for the Bears.

The Bears were blessed with two fourth rounders in this draft, so picking again – this time at 10th overall in the round – should allow them to properly address the cornerback position. Two players I like there are Jourdan Lewis out of Michigan and Rasul Douglas out of West Virginia. Lewis is the player that I like better because without his recent domestic violence charge (ongoing) his talent is first round material, however the Bears may not be willing to take on a player with that type of character concern. Douglas, on the other hand, is largely clean off the field, however has his own limitations. While he led the NCAA in INT’s last season with eight, his tape and lack of NFL athleticism warrant his slide into the fourth round. Either player would give them good value at a position of need regardless.

With the Bears final two picks, I fully expect them to target the defensive end spot – the one need that has yet to be addressed – as well as further address any of their other previously filled needs. A defensive end that I like in the fifth happens to actually be a defensive tackle, however considering the Bears 3-4 scheme, their defensive end spot is basically a standard 4-3 defensive tackle anyway. Nazair Jones out of North Carolina has the build (6-foot-5, 304 lbs.) and run stuffing abilities that the Bears look for in an early down rotational defensive lineman. He will join the team as a potential steal in the fifth round.

With the Bears final pick, it would be wise to add depth to their offensive line. Tackle Jerry Ugokwe out of William and Mary will certainly be a project considering he didn’t pick up the game until his senior year of high school, however his impressive physical traits and natural instincts for the position are the types of traits that you like to see in a low risk, high reward, late round pick.

Detroit Lions

2016 Record: 9-7

2017 Draft Picks: 21, 53, 85, 127, 165, 205, 215, 250

It was a rollercoaster season for the Lions in 2016, as they peaked and plummeted on par with a Six Flags screamer. They came out of the gates looking emotionless and uninterested, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, as they stumbled to a 1-4 start through September. Following that however, something clicked and their defense actually started to show up. They went on to win eight of their next nine contests. Eventually though, the true talent – or lack there of – on their defense began to rear its ugly head, as they dropped their final four games including their playoff matchup with the Seahawks. If you catch my drift here, you will understand that the Lions need a defensive overhaul if they plan on taking the next step as a complete team going forward…

Below I have narrowed down their top needs to the following positions in descending order, ranked by importance:

| Edge, Linebacker, Defensive Tackle, Cornerback, Running Back|

As I said, their needs couldn’t be much clearer -- get a new defense.

In the first round I did my best to address the Lions biggest need, as I slotted them Derek Barnett out of Tennessee. Barnett was by far the biggest faller in my most recent mock, as many regard him as a top-10 talent in this class.

You're probably, “wondering why the fall for Barnett?” and my answer is simple.

Speed.

While he is quite athletic on tape and registered historic sack totals throughout his collegiate career, Barnett did not run well at all during the combine. This will turn off some coaches and GM’s, but the Lions are in no position to pass up the tremendous opportunity. Bottom line is Barnett may have ran a “slow” 40 yards in spandex last month, but I have no doubt that this guy is an excellent football player. He’s got a GPS for the quarterback and uses professional technique on his way there. He possesses strong, controlling hands, and displays jarring power at the point of attack. When he doesn’t win initially – which is rare – his relentless motor gives him a second chance to take down the quarterback. To get him at 21st overall would be huge for a Lions defense that is lacking any sort of presence on the edge across from Ezekiel Ansah. Below is a look at how disruptive Barnett can be rushing the passer. He shows an NFL level “dip and rip” to get around the tackle on his way to destroying the quarterback.

With the utter depth at cornerback in this class, I could totally see some first round caliber players falling into the second. Considering this, I again believe that the Lions will be able to capitalize on a player slipping beyond his true draft grade, as my calculations see USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson being in play for Detroit at 53. What Jackson offers this team is not only vastly improved coverage skills from a season ago and off the charts athleticism, but also dynamic playmaking as a return man and gadget offensive weapon. He was regarded as one of the best corners in college football last season, as well as being one of the most electric playmakers in the country. His calling card is the ability to change the tide of any game in an instant – a trait that the Lions have been lacking for a very long time.

In the third, I see the Lions going back to the defensive line because beyond this round, interior help is rather thin. DeMarcus Walker out of Florida State should be available for the Lions at 85th overall. Walker helps Detroit two fold in that he not only is position versatile, but he also was an incredibly productive second effort sack artist throughout his collegiate career (10.5 sacks in 2015; 16.0 sacks in 2016). Expect him to be used as a rotational depth defensive lineman early on in his career, while his best work is likely to come as a tackle on passing downs. Think of him in the same mold as his old FSU teammate Mario Edwards Jr.

Just as interior defensive line is weak beyond the third round in this draft, so too is inside linebacker beyond the fourth. Luckily, I believe the Lions will be able to get one of the last impact players at the position with their 127th overall selection. Connor Harris out of little known Lindenwood University is a hardnosed linebacker who is regarded by coaches and teammates alike as a field general. He would push for a starting job on this roster out of training camp, and if he didn’t get it, he would still make an immediate impact on special teams and in sub packages. The Lions can’t ask for much more out of a fourth round pick, especially in an area of need.

On to the fifth round, and the Lions still have some needs to fill. Here is where I think their first offensive player should be taken. Running back is their biggest offensive need, and while I believe that plenty of good backs will be left prior to their selection (165th), it is in the early part of this round that I believe a run on the position will begin. The Lions will pounce on the proverbial scraps here and take Brian Hill out of Wyoming. He’s a lesser-known guy for the caliber of the backs in this range, but I think he fits what they are trying to do in Detroit. He’s well built (6-foot-1, 220 lbs.) – meaning he can handle the in-between the tackles workload better than Ameer Abdullah – is a solid receiver, and is a better athlete than you would expect based off of his rather good combine numbers. In the fifth round, that’s getting the job done.

As for the sixth and seventh rounds, the Lions will use their selections wisely to fill out the rest of their depth chart. Guys who I like in this range include tight end Jonnu Smith, linebacker Blair Brown, and cornerback Brendan Langley.

Green Bay Packers

2016 Record: 10-6

2017 Draft Picks: 29, 61, 93, 134, 172, 182, 212, 247

For the second year in the last three, the Packers slept-walked throughout most of the season and forced Aaron Rodgers to go Super Saiyan (see .GIF for reference) to have them even make the playoffs.

While he carried them to another near historic run deep in the playoffs, they ultimately came up short. The blame and fame is going to be put on the quarterback because this is the NFL, but the bottom line is that this Packers roster just isn’t that good and something needs to change. Luckily, that is what the draft is for and the Pack’s eight selections can help get things done…

Below I have narrowed down their top needs to the following positions in descending order, ranked by importance:

| Guard, Edge, Cornerback, Running Back, Linebacker, Safety |

In the first round, I have the Packers addressing one of their most pressing needs – cornerback – as the selection of Marlon Humphrey can change the way this secondary operates. From my view, Humphrey is a true number one corner, featuring the length and athleticism needed for that moniker. Sure he can fall asleep at times over the top, but his unreal closing speed can often make up for his mistakes. He’s a prototype for what Green Bay looks for in their corners, and he can now join a young, talented, and hungry secondary that the Packers are quietly building.

It’s no secret that the Packers need some serious help on the edge because behind the ever-aging Clay Matthews and the underwhelming Nick Perry, Green Bay has little edge presence. To add on top of that, for the last few years the Packers have been moving Matthews around the field, often for long stretches at the inside linebacker position. This has left them very vulnerable on the edges to say the least. In the second round, Carl Lawson out of Auburn should more than satisfy those needs, as he is a first round caliber talent who is likely to slide into the late second. His tape and combine performance scream first rounder, but his injury history tells another story. He missed the better part of two seasons in his collegiate career due to an ACL and hip issue. Though seemingly healthy now after a no-setback 2016 campaign, the Packers could be getting some serious value here. Something to keep in mind… This is the same pass rusher who last season’s consensus number one prospect Laremy Tunsil called the best player he has ever faced. Some high praise to say the least.

After the departure of Pro Bowl guard T.J. Lang this offseason, the Packers are in pretty desperate need of a replacement. They didn’t address the issue in free agency and are instead likely to use a high draft pick on one this April. In Danny Isidora, the Packers are getting one of the best zone blocking guards in the draft – a player who fits their exact scheme. Sure, at times power rushers can overmatch him, but in terms of athleticism and technique at the position, it doesn’t get much better in this draft. Some may consider this a reach, but with the Packers need for a guard, the value feels right to me.

Somewhat controversially I have the Packers doubling up on the offensive line in back-to-back rounds. My main reason is because I have yet to find a home for Ethan Pocic out of LSU and in the fourth round, I have a tough time seeing the Packers pass on him. Let us not forget that they just lost center J.C. Tretter to free agency this offseason and incumbent Corey Linsley’s health is not exactly something you want to trust exclusively going forward either. Aside from this, if nothing else, Pocic offers depth at a position of need and his build and skillset allow him to play functionally at virtually any position along the line. More great value here.

PocicPhysicalEndzoneView

As I stated before, this linebacker class gets a bit thin towards the later rounds, however I believe that in the fifth the Packers can find a gem in BC linebacker Matt Milano. Simply put, this guy is a playmaker. He’s strong, athletic, instinctual, and plays with the heart the size of Texas. If he was a shade taller and a tad heavier, I guarantee he would be getting first round consideration. His size limitations will likely limit him to a rotational role in the NFL, but his impact on special teams will not go unnoticed. When in on defense, his motor will immediately pop off the screen, while as a free runner on special teams, his devastating hits will make twitter blow up. This is a tone-setting pick for Green Bay more than anything, but luckily it also fills a need as well.

As for the Packers final three selections, they will be expected to fill out the depth for the rest of their roster or even beef up some more on their needs. Players who I like for them in the sixth and seventh include TCU edge rusher Josh Carraway, Clemson safety Jadar Johnson, and pint sized running back Tarik Cohen out of North Carolina A&T, who is affectionately known as “The Human Joystick.”

Minnesota Vikings

2016 Record: 8-8

2017 Draft Picks: 48, 79, 86, 120, 128, 160, 199, 232

The Vikings somehow started off 2016 on an amazing 5-0 streak, despite losing their starting quarterback in training camp. What this proved is that there is some serious talent on this roster, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, which makes most of the Vikings needs headed into the draft offensive…

Below I have narrowed down their top needs to the following positions in descending order, ranked by importance:

| Running Back, Offensive Tackle, Guard, Tight End, Linebacker, Wide Receiver Kicker |

Not picking in the first round complicates things for Minnesota, as their ample offensive needs will not be benefited by their most important selection. Because of this, I expect the Vikings to take an exclusive offensive BPA approach and take the best offensive player available on the board with each pick, regardless of the order of their needs. Having said that, I have done simulations in which that best player with their first pick is a guard, a running back, a tackle, or a wide receiver. Realistically I believe they will pounce on the player who most unexpectedly slides. Players to consider in that vein at 48th overall include running back Joe Mixon, offensive tackle Taylor Moton, wide receiver Chris Godwin, guard Forrest Lamp, and tight ends David Njoku and Evan Engram.

In the third round, some offensive players that I think could make an impact for the Vikings include guard Dan Feeney, tackle Antonio Garcia, wideouts Dede Westbrook or Cooper Kupp, and running back D’Onta Foreman. Foreman is particularly interesting for the Vikes because now without Adrian Peterson their offense has sort of lost its identity. This is a process that began last season, but entering this season even without AP on the IR would feel really different for this ball club. Foreman – while not nearly as explosive as Peterson – is still the type of tone setting back that the Vikings are looking for. He ran for over 2,000 yards at Texas last season and is a guy who you can rely on giving the ball 30 times a game if you really wanted to. Despite the signing of overrated back Latavius Murray this offseason, there is little chance that all of the backs on the Vikings combined will carry the rock 30 times in a game this season. Foreman would be a game changing presence for this offense.

Towards the middle rounds they will continue to target offense. I like wide receivers Isaiah Ford and Malachi Dupree, tight end Bucky Hodges, tackle Connor McDermott, and guard Zach Banner. If they consider the latter two, these would be the best value picks considering both player’s positional versatility and high potential. I personally prefer McDermott’s athletic build and head for the game, but Banner’s sheer size (6-foot-8, 353 lbs.) and ability to maul in the run game may appeal to the Vikings more.

And finally, towards the end of their draft, I will allow the Vikings to veer from offense and target depth along the rest of their roster. One thing I will note here is that with their void at kicker, the Vikings would be wise to target Zane Gonzalez out of Arizona State in either the sixth or seventh, as he is not only the best kicker in this draft, but also statistically the best kicker in the history of college football (most career made field goals with 96 total).

FANTASY BONUS

I am dedicating this section to not necessarily the likeliest of scenarios, however I plan on keeping it as realistic as possible. Essentially I want to give you an idea of what selection could end up being the most fantasy impactful for the 2017 season for each team in the division. It doesn’t have to be someone that I have discussed for the team above, but rather a realistic scenario in which the team picks a player who would be a fantasy ringer for 2017.

Chicago Bears

This is a tough one to choose for me, as both Chad Hansen and Gerald Everett could make equally large impacts for the Bears in the 2017 fantasy season. Gun to my head I would say Hansen because wideouts are typically targeted more in NFL offenses, but this is really that close… Splitting hairs here.

Detroit Lions

Contrarily this was an easy decision for me because outside of Brian Hill, I had the Lions going all defense. Hill would join the Lions offense as their best between the tackles and short yardage runner from day one, despite his long and skinny legs. On tape his running style kind of remind me of a poor man’s Melvin Gordon, and we know the type of damage he did around the goal line last season.

Green Bay Packers

If Carl Lawson can remain healthy, he would end up being the Packers biggest fantasy impact in 2017 – for IDP formats of course. However if he comes along slowly, Tarik Cohen could prove to be a dynamic playmaker in spurts. If he can become involved on special teams as a returner, that would boost his value in non-standard formats as well.

Minnesota Vikings

Despite not picking until the middle of the second round, the Vikings could end up with a big time fantasy contributor in 2017, especially if they hit on a guy like Joe Mixon or D’Onta Foreman, who I outlined above. If either were selected by Minnesota, it would only be a matter of time before they replace overpaid Latavius Murray as the starter.