The NFC North has long been looked at as a mediocre division with little for the rest of the league to fear. That has changed dramatically as the Detroit Lions have become one of the preseason favorites to win the NFC championship, the Packers appear to be a likely playoff team and the Bears should be the most improved team in the league. The Minnesota Vikings are a huge question mark, however.
The Bears were the No. 1 story of the draft, and their selection of Caleb Williams with the top pick and Rome Odunze with the No. 9 selection is expected to help lift the Chicago offense rise to new heights this year.
The Bears are expecting Williams to do for their offense what C.J. Stroud did for the Houston Texans last year. That may be a lot to ask because Stroud was one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league – and not just a good rookie. Williams clearly has all the tools that a quarterback must have to be successful – accuracy, arm strength, escapability and the ability to read defenses – but he must show he can handle the pressure of being the man in the Chicago offense.
While the pressure on Williams will be intense, Odunze should be able to function at a high level without having to carry the team. The Bears already had a top receiver in D.J. Moore and they also added star wideout Keenan Allen through free agency. Cole Kmet is a solid tight end, and that should give Williams a plethora of outstanding pass catchers. Odunze will certainly get his share of passes thrown his way, but he won’t have to be the team’s go-to playmaker.
The Lions moved to the top of the division last year and most of their strength resulted from sharp building through the draft. Detroit appeared to have another excellent draft this year, as they selected a pair of cornerbacks with their first two picks in Terrion Arnold of Alabama and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. of Missouri.
The Lions traded up to the No. 24 spot to get Arnold, and he should be able to work his way into the starting lineup. He has the kind of Dan Campbell make up as he is extremely competitive and takes any attempt by opposing quarterbacks to throw to the receiver he is covering personally.
Rakestraw has 4.51 speed in the 40, but he is a very physical cover man who will punish opposing receivers with his jam. He has a great ball punch that will allow him to knock the football loose from the receiver. On the negative side, he may not have the catch-up speed to stay with double moves.
The Packers used their first-round selection on a big offensive tackle in Jordan Morgan of Arizona, and he has the athleticism needed to move well and do a good job as a run blocker. He also has a powerful grip and that allows him to stay connected on his run blocks. His pass blocking is also strong as he has a great feel for the pocket and he understands the depth he has to take to give his quarterback time and also make life difficult for the pass rusher.
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M was a first-team AP All-American last year and he finished the season with 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. More than the numbers, the Packers will love that Cooper plays every down with maximum passion and is a punishing tackler. He has elite long speed that allows him to catch up to running backs and receivers, and he also excels at avoiding blockers. If he learns to get his pads lower, he has a chance to be a star at the next level.
The Vikings must get superior production from top picks J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner. McCarthy’s ability to make the big play against elite opponents is his greatest strength. He is a wonderful athlete who is an accurate passer and has more than enough arm strength to get the ball outside the numbers to superb wideout Justin Jefferson and speedy Jordan Addison. If McCarthy can get a feel for head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense quickly, he will have a chance to start. If not, Sam Darnold will man the QB1 role until McCarthy is ready.
The Vikings also selected the best pass rusher in this year’s draft when they picked Dallas Turner with their second first-round pick. Turner had 14.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, 53 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. Turner combines excellent initial quickness off the line with a stunning hand punch. He also can turn the corner with tremendous momentum and should be a disruptive pass rusher.
The Vikings lost superb pass rusher Danielle Hunter (16.5 sacks) to the Houston Texans in free agency, so they will need Turner to adjust quickly to the NFL and demonstrate that he can take over games from time to time.
