2018 NFL Draft Team Needs: NFC North

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NFC North

Bears (LB-OL)
Chicago’s focus this offseason seemed to be revolved around the offensive side of the ball and how they could help quarterback Mitch Trubisky out. Now, that they added skill to that side of the ball, the focus turns back to the thinnest part of the team, the linebacking group. Leonard Floyd is deemed to be Mr. unreliable after the avalanche of injuries since being drafted in 2016.

7 Total Picks
Round 1: 8
Round 2: 39
Round 4: 105 / 115
Round 5: 145
Round 6: 181
Round 7: 224

Predictions
In all of the chaos with the first 5 picks, some big names will be lost, and some teams will benefit from this. The Bears capitalize and draft what many believe to be the best Linebacker in the draft in Tremaine Edmunds, a player that can rush of the edge and cause havoc as he did 2017 where he tallied 5.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtlSyxL2UQw

Lions (EDGE-TE-RB)

Detriot ranked in the bottom 3rd in the league in sacks only sacking the opposing quarterback 25 times all season. Surprisingly, last year the Lions secondary wasn’t the problem as they ranked average in the pass defense but where they had trouble was stopping the ground game and were 4th worse team in the NFL. Overall, they did make a jump going from the worst overall defense in DVOA in 2016 to 19th last season.
6 Total Picks
Round 1: 20
Round 2: 51
Round 3: 82
Round 4: 117
Round 5: 153
Round 7: 237

Prediction
The Lions need some edge rushers to able put pressure on opposing defenses. The inability to get to the quarterback has hurt them on the backend where they struggle vs. WR2’s and WR3’s and especially against tight ends where they rank 26th, The Lions go out and get a linebacker they feel can set the edge and certainly help in the run defense. Lions select Marcus Davenport.

Packers (EDGE-CB-OL)
Green Bay has a few spots the would like to address in this year’s draft, and one has to be the need to bolster the defensive backfield. The Packers defense was extremely vulnerable in 2017, and much can be blamed on the defensive backs as the run defense was ranked 8th in the NFL. The Packers use a few different looks and one they have experimented more often in the last few years in their “Nitro’ package. It consists of three safeties, three cornerbacks, three linebackers and two defensive linemen. It’s executed to be able to cover quick routes and pass-catching running backs without compromising too much in the run game.
11 Total Picks
Round 1: 14
Round 2: 45
Round 3: 76
Round 4: 101 / 133
Round 5: 138 / 172 / 174
Round 6: 186 / 207
Round 7: 232

Prediction
The Packers ranked 17th in sacks and 21st in interceptions last year and defense will be a priority. Green Bay selects Mike Hughes. A very talented cornerback that carries a few off-field questions, Hughes is extremely versatile and can even be used as a kick returner. His speed underwhelmed at the combine, but with the ball in his hands, he runs faster than 40 can clock.

Vikings (CB-OL)

The Minnesota defense was scary last year, and they managed to do it with little depth on the D line opting to play their starters a lot more than the average team. They ranked 1st in yards and points allowed as a unit, and the addition of Sheldon Richardson should help juice those numbers even more. A hole they must fill in the slot corner where at the moment, on paper you see a 40-year-old Terrance Newman departed, and Mackensie Alexander is a liability to a team that doesn’t have many.

8 Total Picks
Round 1: 30
Round 2: 62
Round 3: 94
Round 5: 167
Round 6: 204 / 213 / 218
Round 7: 225

Prediction
It’s never good when your coach has been quoted saying things regarding Mackensie Alexander such as “He’s kind of a guy that has a ton of talent. Just needs to be more consistent with everything. Practice habits. Things like that,” Mike Zimmer.
If available, Jaire Alexander makes a ton of sense here as some teams will be passing on him as he is somewhat of a gamble. Alexander has struggled with multiple injuries from knees to broken hands, and that will be a red flag to many teams. Now, a team that’s established and can maybe reach on a talent that shined at the combine and holds such a high ceiling in the right system. Vikings take a chance on Jaire Alexander.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iToQy9CQ19M