Less than 24 hours until the NFL Draft! Finally! Now the bold predictions can stop flying high and football fans can start to fantasize about the rookie’s impact they might make on their team. Today we’re going to look into the NFC North!
We’ve been breaking down all the divisions, so if you’ve missed any of the others be sure to click on the individual pieces. Also, follow us on twitter @FantasyCPR to share what you think your favorite team will do in this years draft!
Enough stalling, let’s jump right into the NFC North!
NFL Draft: Chicago Bears
The Bears have been busy this off-season! They look to have committed to the quarterback of their future with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers back-up Mike Glennon. Someone who played well in his small time as a starter back in 2013.
The Bears also paired him with former Cowboys back-up Mark Sanchez. People underestimate the importance of a experienced back-up, but as we saw last season with the Miami Dolphins, it’s huge.
However, that’s only two addition of the many they’ve brought on board. They’ve also signed former:
- Giants WR Rueben Randle
- Texans S Quintin Demps
- Dolphins TE Dion Sims
- Steelers WR Markus Wheaton
- Rams RB Benny Cunningham
- Jaguars CB Prince Amukamara
Besides the addition of Demps and Amukamara, most of the signees we’re to address the struggles the Bears faced on the offensive side of the ball.
Biggest Need: Secondary Help
In a division that includes Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers, you better make sure you’re secondary is sound. Luckily for the Bears there are plenty of options within this draft such as Marshon Lattimore and Malik Hooker from Ohio State, but I see them going the LSU route.
Draft: Possible Pick: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Personally, Adams is one of the best safeties I’ve ever seen come out of the draft. Getting on the field as a true Freshman is hard to do, especially at LSU.
Adams is a versatile player that can thrive at both safety spots. He’d be great playing a ball-hawk in the outfield, or great playing up on the line, as he’s a hard hitter and a defensive tone setter.
All this talk about Leonard Fournette going first out of LSU, but I’m still taking Adams.
NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings
The big talk in Minnesota is surrounding their decision to let the best running back of my generation, Adrian Peterson, walk. Someone we now know will be paired up with Drew Brees and the Saints in the up-coming season.
However, they found a replacement right away in former Oakland Raiders running back Latavious Murray. This will fill the void in the backfield, because as we saw last season when Peterson went down, the backfield struggled heavily to find footing.
We’ll just have to see if Murray can stay healthy as well.
Since we’re on the topic of losses for the Viking we can throw out a few more names. Chad Greenway and Jake Long both came face-to-face with father time this off-season as they filed for retirement.
We also can’t ignore the injury Teddy Bridgewater suffered last off-season. His time-table to return is questionable not only for this season, but for good, so the Vikings will have to face this challenge head on.
Sadly, Minnesota doesn’t have a first round pick to address some of these losses, as their pick is in the hands of the Eagles. We’ll be watching them closely to figure out who they shoot for in the second round, however.
NFL Draft: Detroit Lions
The Lions shocked a fair amount of people last season when they started the season 9-4. Unfortunately for them, however, they finished the season on a three game losing streak which forced them into the NFC wildcard game.
For one of the first times, the Lions look like they’re close to getting over that Packers hump. They made a few free agency pick-ups but the names to highlight are former:
- Packers OG T.J. Lang
- 49ers LB Nick Bellore
Both of these additions should add some serious depth but they’re still lacking on the offensive line, and defensive side of the ball.
Biggest Need: Offensive Line Help
Their offensive line struggled last season, and the loss of Ameer Abdullah shook their two RB game-plan early in the season. Lang should help fill a void on that roster but his injuries are making it hard for that line to jell as of now.
The Lions picking in prime linebacker territory when it comes to this draft and they’ve been talking a lot about a few of these players. One being Haason Reddick, but I’m sure he’ll be gone by then.
Draft: Possible Pick (1): Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
We’ve discussed Foster recently, so click here if you’re interested on learning more!
Bottom line, Foster is in absolute stud on the football field but his off-field issues could drop him all the way to the Lions (and beyond). Something I’m sure could make them ecstatic.
Draft: Possible Pick (2): Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Something that could set Davis apart from a guy like Foster on draft day is his character. Not only is he great on the field, but off the field he’s a natural-born leader, which he sets by example.
Jarrad is built like a great NFL linebacker and getting paired with him in a Oklahoma drill could cause some serious anxiety.
NFL Draft: Green Bay Packers
For a team that hasn’t really used the tight end position extensively, I was shocked to see the off-season pick ups the Packers have made.
They’ve added former Rams TE Lance Kendricks and former Patriots TE Martellus Bennett. Two people who can make an impact on the offensive end, but absolutely shoot everyone other Packers receiver in the foot when it comes to fantasy football.
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The need for a running back is still prominent on this team, but the secondary needs some work as well.
Draft: Possible Pick (1): Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
I’ve already discussed the impact a guy like Cook could have on a franchise, so click here for more info.
However, if this was tailored for the Packers it would be a great fit. Cook isn’t a downhill runner. He’s someone who can break it to the outside and someone who can catch passes.
In an offense like Green Bay’s, do they take the ball out of Rodgers’ hands very often? No, because that wouldn’t make sense. They need a running back that can catch the ball out of the backfield and make people miss and that’s exactly what Cook brings to the table.
Draft: Possible Pick (2): Kevin King, CB, Washington
Kevin King is going to be a monster in Madden next year. Who wouldn’t want a cornerback with 4.4 speed who stands at 6’3″?
He’s shown he’s a solid corner who also has experience playing in the slot and starting at safety. He’s a jack of all trades when it comes to secondaries and flexibility is huge when it comes to broken defenses.
Next: Marshawn to Oakland: Fantasy Impact
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