2012 NFL Draft: Today's War Room Thoughts for Every NFC North Team, 2/8 Edition

The 2012 NFL draft approaches with every passing day, and that means each team in the NFC North is getting closer to determining just what are their most pressing needs and who are their most coveted targets.

In today's NFC North draft analysis, I examine one position at which each team desperately needs improvement, but may be better served in filling those roles with free-agent veterans rather than rookies.

Chicago Bears: Wide Receiver

The Chicago Bears have needed a big-play wide receiver for years now, but have merely settled. While veterans like Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett and even Devin Hester provide the team with an adequate amount of help, they still haven't found themselves the kind of No. 1 receiver like quarterback Jay Cutler had with Brandon Marshall during the two's time with the Denver Broncos.

Bennett comes close only in the sense that he and Cutler worked together in college as teammates at Vanderbilt. Former Dallas Cowboy Roy Williams, brought on for the 2011 season, is hardly worth mentioning, and running back Matt Forte spent most of the season as the Bears' leading receiver.

With a handful of top-tier receiving talent available in the NFL draft this year and a number of those potentially still on the board once the Bears pick 19th overall, they'd be smart to take one—at least at first glance.

But what of the free agent pool? The Bears are in great cap shape headed into free agency, and there's little chance they'll repeat their Williams mistake with Phil Emery as general manager.

While guys like the Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Wallace and the New England Patriots' Wes Welker aren't likely to hit the open market, the Bears can certain make plays at Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Chargers, the Buffalo Bills' Stevie Johnson or, most attractively, the New York Giants' Mario Manningham.

I'm not saying that the Bears shouldn't draft a receiver, but if they want a reliable starter, a veteran free agent might be the smarter move, with the draft pick providing much-needed depth.

Green Bay Packers: Defensive Backs

The most glaring weakness displayed by the Green Bay Packers in the 2011 season was in their secondary. They allowed an average of 22.5 points to their opponents, ranked dead last in passing yards allowed and 27th in passing touchdowns allowed.

This year's draft class has a glut of talented cornerbacks and safeties, and it's a foregone conclusion that the Packers will be snagging at least one of them. However, they'd also be well-served to pick up a free agent, or even two, as well.

The Packers' projected cap number heading into free agency is just over $118 million. That doesn't give them a great deal of room in which to pick up a free agent veteran, but they might be able to move around some money if the right player came along.

There are a glut of unrestricted free-agent corners this year, including the Atlanta Falcons' Brent Grimes, New Orleans' Tracy Porter and Miami's Will Allen, all of whom would be willing to listen if the Packers came calling with an offer. The same goes for safeties.

Depth is a major issue for the Packers secondary, and so, drafting is going to be key. However, they could use another veteran back there, both to provide help to the struggling unit as well as serve as a mentor for the younger players they'll likely add.

Detroit Lions: Running Back

The Detroit Lions have pressing issues in their secondary as well, but I don't see them making too many moves in free agency to grab veterans, instead looking solely to the draft for cornerbacks.

Detroit is pressed up against the cap, which means if they make any significant free-agent additions, they'll have to do so both intelligently and frugally.

Either that, or they'll have to spend their remaining cash on just one guy. Regardless, should the Lions want to pick up a running back, I see free agency bearing more immediate fruit than the draft.

At their price point, it's doubtful they can lure the Oakland Raiders' Michael Bush to Detroit. They'd have to offer him less in 2012 and ratchet up his salary in 2013, but he could easily command more 2012 cash elsewhere from a team with more wiggle room.

If the Washington Redskins somehow choose not to retain Ryan Torain, he could be a good fit for the Lions. If they keep him, that likely means adios to Tim Hightower, who could also benefit the Lions.

Detroit should dig deep for later-round running backs who could ultimately break out, but the addition of a veteran will go a long way in helping the team field a more balanced offense.

Minnesota Vikings: Wide Receiver

The Minnesota Vikings might actually be in worse shape at wide receiver than the Chicago Bears. Their No. 1 receiver is the 5'11" Percy Harvin, who takes more than half of his snaps at running back it seems, and the rest of their depth chart is awash with disappointments.

Further complicating matters is the ACL and MCL tear suffered by running back Adrian Peterson near the end of the 2011 season that will likely have him sidelined until at least Week 8 of 2012.

That means the Vikings need all the help on offense that they can get, especially if they hope for quarterback Christian Ponder to markedly improve in his sophomore year.

The Vikings have a couple of options when it comes to their No. 3 overall first-round draft pick. I foresee them taking USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil with the pick to assist both in protection for Ponder and as a way to boost their running game

However, they could also use the pick on Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon. Even if they do so, however, they're still going to need more veteran presence in their wide receiving corps.

As mentioned above, New York Giants receiver Mario Manningham is a great option for any team looking for a veteran at receiver, but he's going to be in high demand, and the Vikings are on the brink of having cap issues.

The Colts' Reggie Wayne could be an option for Minnesota, as well as the Saints' Robert Meachem. Meachem is especially attractive—he was lost in the shuffle as part of New Orleans' many-headed offensive monster, but could distinguish himself if given more responsibility.

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