2012 NFL Mock Draft: Trade Up/Down Scenarios for Every NFC North Team

When it comes to the NFL draft, many teams are quite willing to move up or down to snag players they have their sights set on or to acquire more picks and bolster a weak roster. Even in the first round, teams are willing to make moves.

How about in the NFC North? How likely is it that the division's four teams try to trade their first round picks in April's draft? Let's take a look.

Chicago Bears: Round 1, Pick 19

The Chicago Bears have one primary first-round need: wide receiver. They should be fine remaining at pick No. 19; both Michael Floyd and Kendall Wright should still be on the board by the time they pick.

The only way I can conceive of the Bears trading up is if they have some indication there will be a run on receivers that leaves them in the lurch once it's time for them to pick.

However, they'd only trade their first round positioning to move up a few spots and wouldn't jump up significantly to take one of the more heralded receivers in the draft, such as Alshon Jeffery or Justin Blackmon.

The Bears have too many needs elsewhere that sacrificing even just one pick would be too expensive a price for the team to pay.

Detroit Lions: Round 1, Pick 23

No matter what position the Detroit Lions ultimately target with their first round pick, there's little chance they will trade up to get him. At 23rd overall, few teams will likely try to move into their spot; though they may entertain an offer should that happen, I don't see the team accepting it.

Whether it's a cornerback, defensive lineman or a running back, a number of players in the Lions' sights should still be on the board by the time they pick. Though Detroit may trade a pick in a later round, it won't happen in the first.

Minnesota Vikings: Round 1, Pick 3

The Pioneer Press' Charley Walters claimed on Monday that there's "little doubt the Vikings will trade down with their No. 3 overall pick for additional picks in April's NFL draft," echoing what the team's general manager Rick Spielman said to the NFL Network at the end of January.

Walters believes that trading the pick is the only way to build their roster depth, considering how close the team is to the salary cap and thus unable to pick up many—if any—free agents.

While I agree that trading the pick is the only way they are going to grab the vast number of players the Vikings seem to need, I don't entirely think that they will do so.

Basically, it all depends on what kind of value they get for the pick. Depending on the first rounder they get in return, and which players they are targeting, it may not be that much of a downgrade.

Of any team in the NFC North, the Vikings have the greatest chance to trade down in the first round. But I think Spielman's announcement was more to make it clear that the team is willing to examine all options for their draft than fully committing to trading the pick.

Green Bay Packers: Round 1, Pick 28

Much like the Detroit Lions, unless the Green Bay Packers are terribly sold on a first-round player who appears in jeopardy of being selected before it's their time to pick, the won't likely try to trade up.

The Packers' primary focus in this draft will likely be defense, and they're certainly in luck considering the great deal of depth on that side of the ball in this year's class.

Trading down could be an option for the Packers, but only if the player they had been targeting should still be on the board when they ultimately make their selection. It's possible that they do this, but I see it being more likely that the Packers stand pat and keep their first round positioning.

Follow @FBALL_Andrea