2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Todd McShay's Latest Mock for Each NFC North Team

ESPN draft expert Todd McShay released his latest mock draft last week, projecting the first round picks that every team will make in April's NFL draft. Here are his predictions for—and my reactions to—the players each team in the NFC North will take.

Minnesota Vikings (Round 1, Pick 3)

McShay's prediction: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa; My prediction: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

No matter what, the Minnesota Vikings need an upgrade at left tackle, with their pass protection ranking dead last in the league in 2011. If quarterback Christian Ponder is going to have an improved sophomore year, giving him enough time to throw will be necessary.

Better pass protection is doubly important for the Vikings this year. With running back Adrian Peterson likely to miss much of the regular season while he recovers from a torn ACL and MCL and backup Toby Gerhart not equipped to match his production, the Vikings will need to throw the ball more.

Success in that effort depends on a great deal of things, including Ponder progressing in his offseason training and the team adding wide receivers. But if Ponder can't stay upright, any other improvements in the passing game won't be of much consequence.

McShay has Reiff going to the Vikings because he projects that the St. Louis Rams, who have the No. 2 overall pick, will draft Kalil. I believe the Rams will either pick receiver Justin Blackmon or trade the pick, leaving Kalil still on the board for the Vikings.

Chicago Bears (Round 1, Pick 19)

McShay's prediction: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor; My prediction: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The only reason that McShay and I differ on the actual receiver the Bears are likely to pick is our difference in opinion regarding which receivers are going to go in the first round. Wright is McShay's second receiver to be picked in the first round, while for me he's the third.

Like the Vikings, it doesn't matter which receiver they take in the first round, just that they do so. This is a make-or-break season for the Bears offense; without an improved passing game, there's no way they can stay competitive in the NFC North.

With a new offensive coordinator and general manager, 2012 presents a great opportunity for quarterback Jay Cutler to finally display the passing talent that brought him to the team in the first place. The Bears haven't drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2001. Look for Wright or Floyd to be that drought-breaker this year.

Detroit Lions (Round 1, Pick 23)

McShay's prediction: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia; My prediction: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

If you look at enough mock drafts, you'll notice that Glenn is all over the early-to-mid 20s, potentially going to a number of teams. I have him as the Pittsburgh Steelers' choice, at No. 24, but McShay believes the Lions will be snaring him first.

McShay has the Lions going with Glenn because he doesn't feel that there will be any cornerbacks or linebackers worthy of the pick at this point in the draft. I don't completely disagree, but that's not the only reason why I have the Lions going with a running back in the first round.

On offense, the only area in which the Lions are weak is in the running game. While on paper, they have a good deal of depth at the position, they don't really have a standout player.

Their ostensibly best running back, Jahvid Best, has been dealing with a string of concussions that at the least could see his on-field time limited in 2012 and at worst force him into an early retirement.

Miller is the kind of fast, high-yardage, between-the-20s running back the Lions need. They have a number of backs on their roster who would be well suited to goal-line and third-down roles, but they need a true feature back who is capable of big gains.

The Lions could also wait until later rounds to grab a running back. If that's the case, I say they pass on Glenn and go for a defensive back; I believe there will still be worthy options on the board by the Lions' 23rd pick.

Green Bay Packers (Round 1, Pick 28)

McShay's prediction: Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma; My prediction: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

The Green Bay Packers will likely spend much of the 2012 draft focusing on improving their defense, and that starts with the pass rush.

Both McShay and I believe that's the area the Packers will target with their first-round pick, however, we have different ideas of who they will choose.

McShay goes with Lewis because first, Jones is off the board once it's time for the Packers to make their selection, going one pick earlier to the New England Patriots, and second, because he's the best fit for the defense that he believes will be available in the late first round.

Either way, the Packers certainly need another pass-rusher to complement Clay Matthews. Both Jones and Lewis are highly athletic and will be ready to go in Week 1. However, don't be surprised if the Packers go in a different direction and pick up a cornerback with this pick instead.

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