NFL Draft Needs: NFC North

NFL DRAFT NEEDS

NFC-North

Original Story at Opensports.com

Chicago Bears

The Bears were expected to be a middle of the pack team this season and that is about where they ended up. Unlike most teams in the NFL, the Bears biggest need in the draft comes on the offensive side of the football.

They need to address the wide receiver position to find someone to play opposite of Devin Hester. This draft is not so deep at that position so finding a true receiver in the first round might be tough. Maclin and Harvin could be there at pick No. 18, but I think they would be better with a larger receiver.

On the other side of the ball, they need to add a defensive end to be the future behind Ogunleye. Michael Johnson could still be on the board for them in the first and would be a good pick. Offensive tackle and safety are other immediate areas of need that should be addressed in the middle to late rounds.




Detroit Lions

0-16, that is all you can say about the Lions season. A team with that record needs help at every position, except wide receiver. The Lions could go in many directions on draft day. They have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft along with an additional first round pick, No. 20.

The Lions need immediate help at linebacker, offensive tackle and quarterback (I don’t think Orlovsky or Stanton can get it done). I personally see Detroit taking a quarterback with the first overall pick to please the fans; either Stafford or Sanchez.

With their 20th overall pick, I see them taking one of the many excellent offensive tackles in the draft. Eben Britton from Arizona could still be on the draft board at that pick. I think that most of the top notch linebackers will be off the board by that pick so they will wait to the 2nd round for one. Other areas of immediate help that should be addressed during the draft are defensive end and corner.





Green Bay Packers

The Packers started the year off well, but there success on the field ended quickly. They are just a few positions away from being a playoff team. The Packers will most likely go on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end has always been a position of need for the Packers since KBG had to hang it up. They could snag up Orakpo, Brown or Johnson with that 9th overall pick.

Another question mark is the corner position with two of the oldest starting corners in the game. It has been rumored that Al Harris might retire this season and they would need to find a replacement for him, Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins would be an upgrade at CB. The Packers also need to upgrade the offensive tackle position, like every other team in the NFL. A tight end and defensive tackles are also needed for depth on the roster.





Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings had a so-so season as they snuck into the playoffs. Tavaris Jackson may be the only piece holding the team back from being a top tier team. The Vikings have a late first round pick and have a couple of holes to fill on the offensive and defense sides of the ball.

Their biggest need is a right offensive tackle. This should be addressed early in the draft but I don’t know if there is a player for them at the 22nd pick. They could look for a defensive end to play opposite of Jared Allen in the first round.

If Eben Britton from Arizona falls to them I could see them selecting him to play tackle. Other positions of need are quarterback, which could be drafted early depending on the franchise’s trust in Jackson and a defensive tackle in the middle to late rounds to be groomed for the future.