2012 NFL Draft: Analyzing Matt Miller's Latest Picks for Each NFC North Team

The NFL Scouting Combine has wrapped up. Franchise tags have—or have not—been placed on players around the league. Free agency is just seven days away. Time for a new mock draft from Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller, the last one before free agency begins.

Let's take a look at what Miller predicts the four teams of the NFC North will do in the first round.

Minnesota Vikings (Round 1: Pick 3)

Miller's projection: LT Matt Kalil, USC

Unless something insane happens—like the Minnesota Vikings falling madly in love with quarterback Robert Griffin III and no team making the expensive trade with the No. 2-picking St. Louis Rams—then the Vikings will be doing what Miller, myself and a number of draft musers and experts alike have been saying for weeks.

They will take left tackle Matt Kalil third overall.

A quarterback is only as good as the teammates around him, at least where wins are concerned. Cam Newton was a revelation for the Carolina Panthers in 2011, but even his mind-blowing performance couldn't single-handedly bring them a winning record, and they ended the season at 6-10.

The Vikings have a lot of needs when it comes to surrounding quarterback Christian Ponder with the kind of teammates that can lead them to wins. But it all starts with protection, and no left tackle in this year's draft is better than Kalil.

Chicago Bears (Round 1: Pick 19)

Miller's projection: WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech

Thanks to the NFL Scouting Combine, Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill's draft stock has been rising. The 6'4" receiver ran a 4.3 40-yard dash, and while that's not the only reason a team should pick up a player, it's quite compelling regardless.

Miller has Baylor's Kendall Wright still on the board (heading to the Cleveland Browns at pick No. 22), but makes a case for Hill to the Bears because the raw prospect is spending time working with a receivers coach this spring, and his Georgia Tech pedigree cannot be ignored.

Georgia Tech produced two receivers who are excelling in the NFL right now—the Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson (easily the best receiver in the league) and the Denver Broncos' Demaryius Thomas. Hill could easily follow in their footsteps.

If the Bears don't want to take the gamble on Hill, then they could go with Wright if he's still available, or Alshon Jeffery as well.

Detroit Lions (Round 1: Pick 23)

Miller's projection: CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

Miller admits that the Detroit Lions have other, more pressing needs in the first round of the draft, namely on offensive line, which they could meet with the No. 23 overall pick.

However, Miller also cites general manager Martin Mayhew's propensity to take the best available player, and he believes that at this point in the draft, South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore is just that. 

The Lions certainly need help in their secondary, so it's not much of a stretch to imagine the Lions going with Gilmore in the first round. He can play man or zone coverage, can do special teams work and he can defend the run.

In other words, Gilmore is an all-around defensive threat. While it might not be the sexiest pick Detroit can make, it's certainly a smart one. Gilmore wouldn't be the first player to come to mind for the Lions to choose here, but I like it nonetheless.

Green Bay Packers (Round 1: Pick 28)

Miller's projection: OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

It's quite possible that once the free-agency dust settles that the Green Bay Packers will need a new center, and according to Miller's mock draft, Wisconsin's Peter Konz would still be on the board when the Packers pick 28th.

However, Miller instead has linebacker Whitney Mercilus as the Packers' first-round pick to be a pass-rushing complement to Clay Matthews, and bring some more brutality to a defensive front that appeared a bit deflated in 2011.

Personally, I think the Packers select Konz here if they lose Scott Wells in free agency. If they don't, however, or if they bring his replacement in via free agency, then I don't see why Green Bay wouldn't make a play for Mercilus or another defender with this pick.

Miller notes that the Packers could instead go for a defensive end with this pick.

Personally, I believe that nearly every defensive position will be in play for the team should they not select Konz.

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