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NFC North Roundtable: Lions' Draft Buzz
Where each NFC North team could go in the NFL Draft.
The NFL Draft is quickly approaching.
With the first round just three weeks away, the Detroit Lions are doing their due diligence on several talented prospects. They'll enter the season as the team to beat in the NFC North, and each team within the division is in a prime position to pose a big threat to the Lions on their quest to repeat.
The Bears and Vikings each have picks within the top-15, and the Packers are at 25th. The Lions, meanwhile, will make their first selection at No, 29 overall.
Here's a look at what each NFC North team could do in the Draft, which kicks off with the first round on April 25.
Will Ragatz: "Two weeks from now, the Vikings are going to draft a quarterback in the first round. There's zero question about that.
This is a strong quarterback class, the Vikings have two first-round picks, and the current options on their roster are Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens. They've been building towards this seismic shift — moving on from Kirk Cousins and drafting a QB — since the new regime took over two years ago.
The question is which quarterback, and with what pick? The Vikings have the 11th and 23rd selections in the first round. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is known for wheeling and dealing, so it would be quite surprising if they stay put and make those two picks as is.
The most likely outcome still seems to be a trade up for one of the top non-Caleb Williams quarterbacks, whether that's Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy. The issue there is how much of a QB tax they'll have to pay to convince a team sitting in the top five to move down to 11.
The other option is to take Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix in the 10s or 20s, which would allow them to keep the other first-rounder this year, as well as their future draft capital. But if you're going to take a QB, you might as well be aggressive and go get your guy, right?"
John Maakaron: "The Detroit Lions are in the unique position to be able to target the best player available when it is their turn to hand in their draft card.
The organization is doing its due diligence on the cornerback and wide receiver positions pre-draft.
I'm hearing Detroit's front office is enamored with cornerbacks who have the potential of also helping the team in the return game, which makes Kool-Aid McKinstry and Cooper DeJean realistic options at No. 29.
Terrion Arnold, who has also visited the Lions, is a player many teams will covet in the first round. He brings versatility outside of his defensive skills, as he played 301 combined special teams snaps in the last two years.
Being a special teams contributor and being the only FBS player with 12 or more pass breakups and at least five interceptions last year will make it unlikely he is available when it’s Detroit's turn to pick.
Outside of the cornerback spot, it is also realistic that general manager Brad Holmes targets an offensive lineman like Graham Barton since the unit features three starters over 30.
Detroit has been successful building in the trenches and the dream scenario this year is if EDGE Darius Robinson somehow falls to Detroit late in the first round."
Bill Huber: "GM Brian Gutekunst hasn’t been one to reach to fill a need. From that standpoint, it will be interesting to see how he handles the draft's first two days.
The Packers have the 25th pick of the first round, the 41st and 58th picks of the second round, and the 88th and 91st picks of the third round. That’s five early opportunities to hit the big needs – namely offensive line, cornerback, safety and linebacker.
With the ability to move around the draft board, will he stick at No. 25 and take the cliched best available player? Will he give up one of those Day 2 picks to go get his guy? Might he move back if the board is strong and, for the sake of example, the Chiefs want to move up for a receiver or cornerback? Could he move way up for another pick in the early 30s?
One unrelated note: Gutekunst loves his quarterback tandem of Jordan Love and Sean Clifford. However, at one point during Brett Favre’s tenure, then-GM Ron Wolf drafted six quarterbacks in seven years. Gutekunst wants to get back to that way of doing business. Would he dare use a third-rounder on a signal-caller? Or wait to take a flier with one of his four picks in the final two rounds?"
Gene Chamberlain: "The Bears' first pick in the draft is a formality as everything they've done and said leading to the draft indicates they'll take quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall. The real interest will be in what they do at No. 9 in Round 1. Besides being an elite player, it could also set up what they select with their third-rounder (75) and fourth-rounder (122).
Bears coach Matt Eberflus has already said a major need in the draft is finding a defensive end opposite Montez Sweat, but it will be interesting to see if they're thinking the same thing at No. 9 because most predraft analysis puts three wide receivers above at least all but one edge rusher, if not all of them. It could be a case where the draft board dictates the Bears take a wide receiver and risk leaving their pass rush issues up to third- and/or fourth-round picks.
They've visited with all of the top receivers and edge rushers at this point.
If Rome Odunze remains on the board it will be a difficult pick to resist, especially because Keenan Allen is in the last year of his contract and could essentially be a rental player.
The possibility of a Round 1 trade back exists if they find the top three receivers gone because the edge rushers might be there a few picks later, as well."
