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The state of the NFC North is in flux getting into 2021. Aaron Rodgers is reportedly a bit unhappy with the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions traded Matthew Stafford away for a couple of picks and Jared Goff, the Chicago Bears even have a quarterback scenario to determine after which the Minnesota Vikings have work to do on protection and alongside the offensive line. May we see one other shocking transfer this offseason that impacts the division in a significant approach?
The Packers have made the NFC Championship Sport two years in a row now, however the Bears and Vikings is probably not that far behind within the division, as they every took down the Packers one time in 2020. What these groups accomplish this offseason may carry them nearer to what Matt LaFleur is constructing in Inexperienced Bay. The Lions could also be getting into a rebuild, however by no means depend out a brand new head coach that discusses biting kneecaps in his introductory press convention.
All 4 of those groups have first-round picks within the 2021 NFL Draft, so they’ll have an opportunity to herald not less than one participant who may make an instantaneous affect. Under, we’ll break down what all 4 NFC North groups have to give attention to in free company and within the 2021 NFL Draft. We’ll take a look at place wants, their reported cap house and in addition provide the prospects who our NFL Draft writers have every staff deciding on with their first decide.
Chicago Bears
Wants: QB, OT, WR, DL
Determining the quarterback scenario is clearly an important goal for the Bears this offseason. Will they offer Mitchell Trubisky a prove-it deal? Will they commerce for somebody like Carson Wentz or Marcus Mariota? Or will they use their first-round decide on a quarterback — perhaps even commerce up for a high prospect like they’ve executed earlier than. Other than quarterback, the Bears can be good to aim to improve on the offensive sort out spots and at extensive receiver. Among the high tackles in free company are Trent Williams, Russell Okung, Alejandro Villanueva and Ty Nsekhe, however upgrading by the draft might be the good play right here. On paper, this extensive receiving corps seems to be fairly good with Anthony Miller after which the brand new speedster in Darnell Mooney, however Allen Robinson’s situation is a worrisome one. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network studies that the Bears and Robinson haven’t spoken a couple of long-term contract extension since September, and a franchise tag may probably be coming. If Chicago does let Robinson go, discovering a brand new No. 1 turns into an enormous precedence. However even when they do retain Robinson, they might stand so as to add one other potential home-run hitter within the draft that might assist take this receiving corps to the following stage for whoever is taking part in quarterback.
The Bears have some work to do alongside the line of defense, as Roy Robertson-Harris, John Jenkins, Daniel McCullers, Brent Urban and Mario Edwards are in search of new offers. It is exhausting to think about all of them will get re-signed, so the Bears can have some holes to fill there. You additionally must surprise if Akiem Hicks will find yourself being a cap casualty.
Draft place: No. 20 total. CBS NFL Draft writers Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso and Josh Edwards have the Bears utilizing the No. 20 total decide on the offensive line. Wilson has the Bears deciding on the athletic Christian Darrisaw out of Virginia Tech, who may find yourself transferring inside to protect, and Trapasso has Chicago deciding on Alijah Vera-Tucker out of USC. Edwards tabs former Michigan offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield as somebody who may instantly play sort out on the subsequent stage.
Projected cap house (via Over The Cap): -$6,066,400 (No. 23 within the NFL)
Detroit Lions
Wants: WR, LB, DL, CB
In relation to the Lions, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, Mohamed Sanu and Danny Amendola are all in search of new contracts, so it is attainable Detroit may very well be in search of a brand new No. 1 wideout this offseason. The entrance workplace ought to prioritize retaining Jones or Golladay, however may they each be in search of a change of surroundings? Luring a high free agent like JuJu Smith-Schuster or Curtis Samuel to interchange them appears unlikely with the Lions’ lack of cap house and their present rebuilding standing, so the draft will be the good place to snag a brand new playmaker.
The Lions may stand to improve nearly in every single place on the defensive facet of the ball. This unit ranked lifeless final with 419.8 yards of offense allowed per recreation and in addition in factors allowed per recreation with 32.4. The move rushers struggled to get to the quarterback, because the Lions have been tied for twenty sixth within the NFL with simply 24 sacks, and the linebackers have been sluggish and couldn’t assist in move protection. As for the corners, do not surrender on Jeff Okudah simply but, however the Lions do want so as to add on the place.
Draft place: No. 7 total. CBS NFL Draft writers Chris Trapasso and Josh Edwards have the Lions taking dynamic playmakers with their high decide, as Trapasso has Detroit deciding on former Alabama wideout and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith at No. 7 total, whereas Edwards has Detroit taking LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase. As for CBS NFL Draft author Ryan Wilson, he has the Lions going protection and taking former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
Projected cap house (via Over The Cap): $6,268,628 (No. 17 within the NFL)
Inexperienced Bay Packers
Wants: CB, WR, OL, LB
The Packers wish to recover from the hump and get again to the Super Bowl — and so they need this offseason to be an enormous one. I’ve a sense the Packers are going to be aggressive, however their cap scenario may make that troublesome. Meaning now we have to take a look at potential cap casualties, comparable to pass-rusher Preston Smith or linebacker Christian Kirksey. Rashan Gary ought to get an opportunity to interchange Smith, however the Packers would wish to take a look at free company or within the draft to get a brand new inside linebacker. Sticking with the protection, the Packers have to improve at cornerback. Kevin King is a free agent and after his efficiency within the NFC Championship Sport in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who is aware of if he can be again. Perhaps somebody like Richard Sherman can be all for heading to Inexperienced Bay.
As for the offense, Rodgers needs a receiver, and that is the time to exit and get one. The Packers have been reportedly all for Will Fuller beforehand, and now have an opportunity at him in free company. The offensive line additionally wants a glance. All-Professional sort out David Bakhtiari tore his ACL in late December, so he will miss a while. Moreover, who is aware of what the longer term holds for heart Corey Linsley? He turns into a free agent after an unimaginable season, and will probably be taking part in for a brand new staff in 2021. Upgrading alongside the offensive line is at all times a wise factor, and it is one thing Inexperienced Bay ought to take into account within the coming months.
Draft place: No. 29 total. CBS NFL Draft writers Josh Edwards and Ryan Wilson have the Packers making up for his or her mistake final yr by taking Florida wideout Kadarius Toney with their first-round decide. Chris Trapasso has Inexperienced Bay taking linebacker Nick Bolton out of Missouri.
Projected cap house (via Over The Cap): -$19,890,681 (No. 26 within the NFL)
Minnesota Vikings
Wants: OL, DL, EDGE, S
The Vikings have loads of holes to fill this offseason, however my focus instantly goes to the protection. Minnesota had a ridiculous quantity of adversity to cope with on the line of defense this previous season, as Everson Griffen opted out of his deal earlier than the yr, Danielle Hunter went down with a season-ending damage and Michael Pierce took benefit of the COVID-19 choose out. Jaleel Johnson, who was extra of a reserve participant heading into 2020, began in all 16 video games and recorded 44 tackles, 1.5 sacks and is now a free agent. Moreover, Shamar Stephen may very well be a cap casualty, so the Vikings have some work to do on the line of defense in relation to their starters, reserves and rotation. A number of defensive linemen probably in search of new houses are Ryan Kerrigan, Solomon Thomas after which Kawann Short, who was simply launched by the Carolina Panthers this week. As for the cornerbacks, I do just like the younger duo of Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney. They simply want extra time to develop, however including to this place group would not be a nasty thought both. The Vikings will possible be in search of a brand new starter at security, nevertheless, as franchise tagging Anthony Harris final offseason did not work out very nicely.
It is fascinating that the Vikings’ offense was nonetheless capable of finding success with a lesser line, however that does not imply the entrance workplace ought to simply ignore the offensive entrance this offseason. This unit was exhausting to look at at occasions this previous yr. What occurs with Riley Reiff? Does Ezra Cleveland transfer to everlasting sort out? The Vikings additionally must signal a official starter that may maintain down the inside at guard.
Draft place: No. 14 total. CBS NFL Draft writers Josh Edwards and Chris Trapasso have the Vikings taking Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye with the No. 14 total decide. Ryan Wilson has Minnesota taking USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker — who has the flexibility to play on the within or outdoors.
Projected cap house (via Over The Cap): -$8,649,781 (No. 24 within the NFL)
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