While Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell played well for portions of the last season, the fact is that the Detroit Lions are still in the market for consistent help out of the backfield.

This week there were several running backs who could be available to Detroit in the coming draft. More importantly, while running backs are more important than generally given credit for, the perception that they aren't means that often you can find good backs in rounds other than the first.

Mike Gillislee was very good throughout the week when running or catching the ball. The Florida tailback showed a great deal of burst through the hole and didn't try to bounce everything outside—something several players did way too often this week.

The downside to Gillislee is that he is very weak in pass protection. During "backs on backers" (when the running backs take on the linebackers in a pass protection simulation), Gillislee was a complete wreck.

Read More »28

One question I've been asked a lot since I arrived in Mobile is whether Denard Robinson has a chance of being the next Randall Cobb—that dangerously athletic sort of receiver who can turn a short pass into a huge gain.

On the surface I can see a lot of potential comparisons. The former Michigan quarterback is one of the most athletic players to come out of college in years.

Robinson's passing was never terribly accurate, and far from consistent. With his lack of height, it shouldn't have been a shock to anyone he would switch positions.

Especially considering he has track-level speed, which was one of his better and more frequently used weapons in college even as a quarterback. His ability to run the ball was a huge aspect of the Michigan offense for most of his career.

Read More »13

One of the priorities for the Chicago Bears this offseason is to get the offensive line some help.

Unfortunately the one guy who the Bears were probably looking to get is having too good a week and won't be available with the Bears' pick in the first-round.

Central Michigan's Eric Fisher is an absolute force of nature on the practice field. Fisher was a guy the Bears hoped could fall to them at 20, but after he continued to pancaked guys like Alex Okafor out of Texas, or Missouri Southern's Brandon Williams, it was clear that those hopes would not come to fruition.

So who is left in Mobile?

Well, luckily for Chicago and GM Phil Emery, the answer is plenty.

Read More »66

One of the biggest weeks of the draft process, the Senior Bowl has long been a proving ground for under-the-radar players who want to serve notice that they are ready to take it to the next level.

These players come into Mobile, Alabama quietly, but by the time the week is out, they've made some noise.

The Vikings are definitely in the market for wide receiver help. Jarius Wright is still a bit raw and Jerome Simpson underwhelmed in 2012—Percy Harvin can't do it by himself, right?

Yesterday I watched the South squad practice and three receivers stood out to me—one who should have and two whom I didn't expect.

Read More »25

The Vikings are a team that was not quite as bad as people imagined they were back in August. 2011 was, while not a complete aberration, a bit of a nasty mirage.

There were problems, of course.

They just weren't as bad as some saw them to be. Having a healthy Adrian Peterson helped that certainly, but the defense and offensive line both were much better than expected.

There are still some huge holes to fill (wide receivers anyone?) and questions to answer (is Christian Ponder the guy?) but overall this team is not the rebuilding-from-scratch group people made it out to be.

Perhaps the biggest key to fixing what's wrong with this team is this draft class. In his first draft as GM, Rick Spielman did a masterful job of getting the right talent to fill needs.

Read More »17

The Lions had a real disappointment of a season, but one positive thing they can take away is that their rookie class has the look of a very good group.

Of course, that's only if they can stay on the field.

Nearly every player drafted last April contributed in one way or another, but three out of seven players ended (or even started) the season on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list.

That could be a problem.

Still if they stay healthy, there is a tremendous amount of potential in this group, from the early picks to the late-round guys.

Read More »32

The Packers focused almost exclusively on defense during last year's draft, adding seven defensive players with their total of eight picks.

While the defense collapsed during their playoff loss against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, the overall improvements that the unit made this season were noticeable.

Injuries certainly took their toll on this draft class, but overall, most of the team's rookies had a positive impact on their team.

Let's see how each of them graded out now that the Packers season is officially over.

Read More »25

Apparently, it's Chicago Bears day here at the NFC North blog as we take a look at how the selections from the 2012 NFL Draft performed this past season and what might be expected of them in the future.

1.19—Shea McCLellin, DE—Grade: C

McClellin had an up and down rookie season, sometimes flashing the speed and skill which made him look like a promising prospect at Boise state, but far too often disappearing for stretches while he was on the field.

Which made him not be on the field all that much. According to Football Outsiders, McClellin was on the field for just 35 percent of the defensive snaps. While adjusting from linebacker to defensive end can account for some of his struggles, that's a really poor return for a first-round rookie.

Read More »26