NFC North Predictions: Who Has the Best Defensive Line?

The NFC North is loaded with talent on the defensive side of the field and, more specifically, the defensive line. Every team has star power on the defensive line, which brings up the question: who has the best defensive line in the division?

Having a strong and deep defensive line can do wonders for a team's overall defense, and every team in the NFC North is setup for this. The star power on the line is incredible in the division: Julius Peppers, Ndamukong Suh and Jared Allen highlight the division.

Picking the best defensive line in this division won't be an easy task, but here is my ranking for the best defensive lines in the division:

4. Minnesota Vikings

Although a strength of the Vikings in the past, their defensive line simply isn't as coveted as the other teams in the division.

The Vikings do have a star defensive end in Jared Allen. Allen had another solid year last season, in which he recorded 11.0 sacks.

The problem with the Vikings is what Allen has around him. In years past, the Vikings loaded the middle with the two Williams, but they do not have that luxury anymore. The Vikings still have Kevin Williams, who has lost a great deal of talent and is being bothered by plantar fasciitis.

The Vikings do have quality rookies in Everson Griffin and Christian Ballard, but they have been jumping around at various positions this preseason. While the Vikings do not have a poor defensive line by any means, they do place last in the competitive NFC North.

3. Green Bay Packers

Placing the Packers at No. 3 was a very difficult decision, but ultimately it was where they fell. The Packers and the Bears were very close, but the depth of the Bears put them ahead of the Packers.

The Packers have an absolute stud in B.J. Raji. Raji is the type of guy that you want to stuff the middle. He is a big, strong nose tackle who is impossible to keep from pushing into the backfield. Nose tackles are a tough position to justify rankings with statistics, but when you watch Raji you can tell that he is one of the best.

The Packers have Ryan Pickett at defensive end, who has been a solid pro, but in his 11th season, you have to think about how long he can still play at a solid level.

The Packers have such a talented line backing crew and secondary that they do not need the best defensive line in the NFC North, and they still have the best defense.

2. Chicago Bears

The strength of the Chicago Bears this season will be their defensive line, and that is something that they should be proud of.

The Bears have arguably the best defensive player in the league in Julius Peppers. Peppers had a down year statistically last year, but his impact on the field is immeasurable. The guy gets double-teamed every single play and you could make the case that he is held on almost every play as well. Peppers is the closest thing to "unblockable" as there is in the league.

On the inside, the Bears have Henry Melton and Matt Toeaina to load the middle. Both are solid players, and Anthony Adams and Amobi Okoye give them a deep inside of the line.

What makes the Bears come in second is their lack of a premier defensive end to play opposite of Peppers. Corey Wooton was promising in training camp, but a preseason injury has halted his progress.

While the Bears have a questionable secondary, their strong defensive line will create chaos for opposing offensive lines. When you have a defensive line that can't be kept out of the other team's backfield, it makes things a lot easier on every one else.

1. Detroit Lions

There is a lot of hype for the young Detroit Lions this year, and it is for good reason. The Lions have a lot of talent on their team, but no unit is anywhere close to as strong as their defensive line.

Last season, the Lions drafted Ndmukong Suh, and he was everything that they thought he would be. Suh had 10.0 sacks at defensive tackle and bulldozed offensive linemen all year en route to winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

This season, Suh will make opposing interior lines tremble with the addition of rookie Nick Fairley from Auburn. To be frank, Fairly is a bad man. Fairly is an extreme talent and a guy that is going to make the Lions one of the best defensive lines in football.

On the outside, the Lions have a former Pro Bowler in Kyle Vanden Bosch, who is still a tremendous talent. Basically, the Lions' front four are stacked.

The Lions are young on both sides of the ball, but if the three other teams in the division had to comment on the Lions, I'm sure they would say that they aren't pleased to go against Suh and Fairley for the next 10 years or so.