The NFL Draft is quickly approaching and we at InhaleSports want to provide the best coverage of your favorite NFL team, so we will be doing NFL Draft Previews through each Division. Today we start with the NFC North. We will be predicting each teams first round picks while also identifying each teams needs.
Chicago Bears: Pick #11
Da Bears could benefit to pick up some defensive talent. They once fearsome Monsters of Midway haven’t been that dominant since Brian Urlacher retired. Their linebackers are pretty good, with Pernell McPhee establishing himself as a dominant outside linebacker. They also signed Danny Trevathan to help on the inside linebacker position. Offensively, they may want to find a more dominant pass catcher to play beside Alshon Jeffery, but Kevin White could potentially break out after sitting out last season due to injury. They could also try to replace Matt Forte by drafting a running back. Personally, I think that the Bears would benefit to bolster their defense with either an edge rusher or adding a cornerback.
Pick: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Detroit Lions: Pick #16
The Lions need to boost their defensive line. They haven’t had a dominant dlineman since Ndamukong Suh left for warm weather and massive contracts and Nick Farely left for St.Louis, and the New Orleans. At 16, I could see the Lions picking someone with pedigree, maybe Jarran Reed from Alabama, or maybe Sheldon Rankins from Louisville. Also watch for the Lions to boost their Oline by picking up a center. Another Alabama lineman might be their answer in the 2nd round by drafting Ryan Kelly. Also watch for Detroit to pick up a wide receiver. Megatron just retired, and no one else on their roster scares secondaries.
Pick: Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama
Minnesota Vikings: Pick #23
The Vikings need to alleviate the pressure on Adrian Peterson’s back. One man can only carry a team for so long before he breaks down. They’ve tried to, and Teddy Bridgewater was a Pro Bowler last year, which was a complete joke. Bridgewater is by no means a bad quarterback, but his numbers were not pro bowl caliber. The Vikings could help both of these men by drafting a wide out in the first round. Stefon Diggs is legit, and giving Bridgewater another weapon like that could be deadly. Defensively, the Vikings could benefit from picking a quality safety. Someone like DeAndre Houston-Carson from William and Mary could be the sleeper pick here, while Vonn Bell of Ohio State could also be scooped up by the Purple and Gold.
Pick: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Green Bay Packers: Pick #27
The glaring need for the Pack is the interior seven. BJ Raji retired this offseason for personal reason, and no other d’linemen had over 50 tackles this season. Clay Matthews is a monster, no doubt, but can Jake Ryan truly step into his own? He too only produced 50 combined tackles last year. Finding someone to clog up the middle, would help the Packers continue their greatness. Kenny Clark of UCLA could be a reach here, but either Clark, Andrew Billings of Baylor or Kevin Dodd of Clemson could all fill their need here. On the other side of the ball, the Packers return all of their starting line from last year. Yet, four of those five will be free agents at the end of 2017, and signing them all back would be a massive hamper on their cap. Conor McGovern of Missouri could help them late in the second round, or even in the the third.
Pick: Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
