Over the next few weeks in the run up to the NFL Draft on April 22-24, we will be previewing the draft needs of all 32 teams. We started with the NFC West and NFC South and continue today with the NFC North. Compensatory draft picks have been awarded, but we're too lazy to look them up for each team.
Big props to Ty from Lions in Winter and Ismael from Bears Hibernation for helping us out with these previews. Check out their blogs and on twitter (Ty) (Ismael).
2009 Record: 12-4
NFC North Champions, Lost 31-28 to New Orleans in NFC Championship Game
Draft Picks: 30 (1-30), 62 (2-30), 93 (3-30), (4-30), (5-30), (6-30), (7-30)
Minnesota's reign on the NFC North is dependent on what Brett Favre decides to do. In other words, he's coming back. Adrian Peterson needs to address his fumbling issues, and don't be surprised to see Minnesota go after another RB in the middle rounds of the draft to spell Peterson now that Chester Taylor has moved on. The biggest need is still at quarterback. They are obviously not sold on Tavaris Jackson and need to acquire a young gun to groom to replace Favre. On defense, they need some help in the secondary, specifically at cornerback.
Vikings bloggers were too busy trying to decide whether or not they would return to blogging to answer our questions. In the mean time, you can probably catch them doing Wrangler commercials.
2009 Record: 11-5
Wild Card, Lost 51-45 to Arizona in NFC Wild Card game
Draft Picks: 23 (1-23), 56 (2-24), 86 (3-23), (4-24), (5-23), (6-24), (7-23)
Aaron Rodgers is one tough dude, but he got sacked more than any other quarterback in the league. Green Bay needs to address their O-line in the draft, specifically their tackle situation. They could use some help on defense, specifically in the pass rusher department with the departure of Aaron Kampman. With Minnesota poised to be quarterback-less and Aaron Rodgers coming into his own, this division is Green Bay's for the taking.
We tried to get a Packers blogger to drop some knowledge on us, but they were too busy getting sacked by opposing defenses.
2009 Record: 7-9
Draft Picks: 75 (3-11), (4-11), (5-10), (6-12), (7-11)
Chicago is still living through the ramifications of the Jay Cutler trade. With no picks in the first two rounds of the draft, Lovie Smith will have his hands full trying to re-build this team into a contender. They obviously still need help on the outside at wide receiver. Their defense is only a shell of its former self and needs a complete reboot. Unfortunately for Chicago, they lack the draft picks to be able to get younger on the defensive side of the ball, and they lack anything of real value that could be traded for more picks.
Ismael Seguban, Chicago Bears Correspondent for Fanball.com who runs Bears Hibernation, was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about the Bears. If you'd like more info, check Ismael out on Twitter.
1. What do you see as the biggest need(s) for Chicago to address this offseason?
At the end of the season, the Bears needed to improve their pass rushing, blocking and depth at running back. On the first day of free agency, the Bears filled their biggest needs by acquiring Julius Peppers, added an extra blocker for Jay Cutler in adding Brandon Manumaleuna and bolstered their running game with Chester Taylor. The first day of free agency was the Bears draft this year as they don't have a first day draft pick to work with. The Bears still need to address the safety positions and possibly add depth to the cornerback position. With the splash they made on the first day of free agency I highly doubt the Bears will acquire another big name. Greg Olsen could possibly be on the trading block so I wouldn't be surprised if his name keeps floating in the rumor mill until the draft.
2. Have they addressed any of these so far in Free Agency? Which do you think are better addressed in the Draft?
In addition to acquiring the big 3 on the first day of free agency, acquiring a safety, cornerback or offensive line would also be in order although they might have enough money to get the big names that are still left like a Darren Sharper. I expect the Bears to take care of these needs by drafting a safety, cornerback and offensive lineman.
3. Who is on your draft wish list?
As a fan, I'm pretty happy with what the Bears did by acquiring Peppers, Taylor and Manumaleuna. As long as the Bears look to fill needs in their secondary and add depth to the offensive line, I'd be happy. It's kind of hard to project that late in the draft so I'm not really targeting anyone.
2009 Record: 2-14
Draft Picks: 2 (1-2), 34 (2-2), 66 (3-2), (4-2), (5-18), (7-7)
Detroit started their rebuilding process in the right way: firing Matt Millen. Without him running the team into the ground, the Lions rebounded from an 0-16 season to a 2-win year last year. With Matthew Stafford at the helm and Calvin Johnson on the outside, the Lions need to add playmakers to take the pressure off Johnson. On defense, the Lions still suck. Luckily for them, with the #2 pick in the draft they will be able to take either Ndamukong Suh (DT-Nebraska) or Gerald McCoy (DT-Oklahoma). Rumors have them tied to Russell Okung (OT-Oklahoma St), but their brass would need checked into a mental asylum if they pass on Suh. Their defense was dead last overall and 25th against the run last season. They have already addressed the pass-rushing aspect by adding Kyle Vanden Bosch at DE and now have to address their need on the interior.
Ty from Lions in Winter who deserves some kind of award for still blogging about the Lions despite the fact that they haven't had a winning season since 2000 was kind enough to answer a few questions for us. We also recommend following Ty on Twitter for everything Lions, general sports talk, and good humor.
1. What do you see as the biggest need(s) for your team to address this offseason?
Wow, where do I start? How about with the worst defense in the NFL for two years running?
The defensive line needs to be rebuilt. Outside of raw 2009 4th-rounder Sammie Hill, and inconsistent 2008 3rd-rounder Cliff Avril, the Lions have no defensive linemen who both fit what the Lions want to do on defense, and are under the age of 33. The secondary is in a similar position. 2009 2nd-round safety Louis Delmas is the only building block, and inconsistent veteran CB Philip Buchanon is . . . well, inconsistent. If MLB Larry Foote is not brought back, and 2009 third-rounder DeAndre Levy becomes the starter, OLB depth behind Ernie Sims and Julian Peterson is a need as well.
On offense, 2008 3rd-rounder Kevin Smith is exactly one step too slow to be a three-down feature back. Further, his midseason knee blowout means the Lions will have only Maurice Morris and 2009 6th-rounder Aaron Brown at tailback until Week 1 at the earliest. It sounds like drafting an explosive back is something the Lions would love to do, though I don't know if one will be available at the Lions' current slots. One of 2009's few young veteran additions, WR Bryant Johnson, was a total washout. Teams double- and triple-teamed Calvin Johnson with impunity; #2 WR is a huge need. OT Jeff Backus is coming off of a very solid year, and deserves to play next to a legitimate starter at left guard--incredibly, that's something he's never done. They'll look to finally fix that spot, too.
2. Which positions of need do you think would be better addressed in Free Agency? In the Draft?
Rookie WRs rarely make an impact, and 2009 3rd-rounder Derrick Williams was a total disappointment. I think a free agent WR like Nate Burleson would make a ton of sense. Rookie CBs usually have some ramp-up time, too, but I don't see a vet who'll be available. At RB I'd prefer to see the Lions bring in a cheaply available Willie Parker-type to compete with Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown--but as I said, the word is that the Lions are ready to throw down on an elite young talent. I'd love to see a rookie guard like Mike Iupati finally come in and lock down that revolving door for the next ten years.
Frankly, the Lions are a threat to take any position in any round, with the possible exceptions of QB and TE in the first few rounds--after that, depth pickups are an option there, too. Expect the Lions to continue to take the best player on their board.
3. Who is on your draft wish list?
With the Lions, the list of who I don't want is probably shorter. There's been a lot of drooling over DTs Gerald McCoy and Ndamukong Suh--and there's consensus that that's the biggest need. However, I worry about both of their long-term prospects within this defense (which emphasizes size and strength up front). I think the Lions will have serious reservations about drafting either guy if they don't weigh into the Combine at a lean 300+. Lots of people are going crazy over Eric Berry, but building the defense around two rangy, gambling, big-hitting safeties with enormous contracts seems like putting the cart before the horse.
I love CB Joe Haden, and MLB Rolando McClain--neither of them at #2 overall, though. The Lions would have to trade back a bit for that. In the second round and beyond, I like OG Mike Iupati, DT Geno Atkins (yeah, I know he's small, too), OL Ciron Black, and CB Kyle Wilson. WR Jordan Shipley would be a nice pickup if the Lions can't attract a veteran #2--or even if they can. There are a truckload of nice safeties that might be available at the top of the third or fourth rounds, too. Finally, a full-time kick returner would be really, really nice; bonus if he plays corner.
Our Take:
The Lions have done a good job in Free Agency addressing their needs - they picked up Kyle Vanden Bosh to play DE and traded for Corey Williams to play DT. That said, they need a big body in the middle to solidify the run defense and Suh or McCoy would fill that role perfectly. The Lions picked up Nate Burleson in Free Agency to step into the #2 receiver role to take some of the pressure off of Calvin Johnson. Don't be shocked if the Lions take a running back (either Jonathan Dwyer or Toby Gerhart) at to top of the 2nd round. Adding depth at cornerback is also a must for the Lions in this draft.
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