Following free agency the NFC Norths pathway through the first round is actually far more muddy then it once was. The Chicago Bears have traded the first overall pick to the Panthers. (
Check out the last version of this, this trade was called already!) The Lions have gone from a weakness in their secondary into their secondary being a great one. The Packers are still holding onto Aaron Rodgers and don’t seem poised to get a first round pick for him and the Vikings. Well their whole roster is falling apart and they have few draft picks.
Detroit Lions
Pick 6: DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
Pick 18: WR Jordan Addison, USC
The Lions should be everyone’s favorite team to draft for this year. Post one week of free agency they have filled out this roster incredibly well. To the point that, unless a QB falls to them they can go anywhere at all in the first round. In this mock, Jalen Carter, arguably the best player in this draft, falls to them at pick six after severe off the field issues arose a few weeks ago. Adding Carter would instantly make this a top 10 defense in the NFL. Not to mention, who better to coach up a questionable prospect than Dan Campbell? At 18 the Lions add another playmaker for their offense. Jameson Williams, last year’s first round pick and a speedster, highlights their receiving corps along with superstar slot receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Outside of this the team lacks a third option in the passing game with no tight ends and all mediocre number 4 receivers behind them. Jordan Addison would provide Jared Goff, an average QB, another great weapon to throw to. This also provides insurance in case Jameson Williams doesn’t work out in the NFL. Between the offensive line, play calling, and this receiving corps this team would easily be able to overcome having just an average QB under center.
Chicago Bears
Pick 9: OL Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Following the trade down from one, along with receiving WR DJ Moore, the Bears have no need to force a playmaker into this spot. Instead in this draft they are taking versatile lineman Peter Skoronski. Skoronski can play guard or tackle for the Bears. With this flexibility the team can hold rigorous practice sessions and have a competition for every lineman spot. This will allow them to put the best possible line in front of Justin Fields, setting him up for success and hopefully a large leap forward in his development.
Green Bay Packers
Pick 15: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Right now the whole draft for Green Bay depends on the compensation they get for Aaron Rodgers. At the moment the prevailing wisdom is Green Bay will not be getting the Jets first round pick. But that housekeeping aside the team will hopefully be looking to better this mid tier offense for new QB Jordan Love. In this draft the team is taking receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a primarily slot receiver that can hold his own on the outside, similar to a Jakobi Meyers for the Raiders. Pairing him with Watson will open up so much on this offense as Smith-Njigba can work underneath while Watson screams downfield with his speed. That being said, this is Green Bay. The QB is expected to do it all themselves so look for Brian Gutekunst to draft a Georgia defensive player with this pick.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Sends: Pick 23
Pittsburgh Sends: Pick 32, 80
Sorry Vikings fans, no first round pick for you. Unfortunately your roster is in the process of being gutted and you have very few draft picks at the moment. Mark my words the Vikings will trade out of the first round this year. The team needs as many shots to improve the roster as possible. Rather than taking a player, let’s talk about a few options in the top of the second for the Vikings. On offense in this specific mock, WR Josh Downs is sitting at the top of the second. In addition, defensive lineman Mazi Smith and Adetomiwa Adebawore are sitting there, both of whom would provide some beef to a rather flimsy defensive line. Lineback Jack Campbell would also provide a solid run defender in the middle of the defense while CB Emmanuel Forbes may be one of the best fits of any player for any team this draft cycle. Forbes is a great press man corner, which is the exact type of player Brian Flores will be looking for in his defense.
Conclusion
Hopefully NFC North Fans are fans of this mock draft. Some of it is a bit out there but what everyone should be reminded of, off the wall crazy things happen all the time during draft season. With the current course of the division, depending on how the Packers, Lions and Bears handle their drafts, any of these three could easily be division winners with a decent crop of rookies.
