What does your team REALLY need? (NFC North)
The biggest surprise out of the NFC North this year was that Minnesota took the division and Green Bay got in via a Wild Card spot. And on the flip side of the division you have two complete opposite teams. The Bears lost its defensive swagger and a Lions were just par as always. But, one thing is for sure. They all have one glaring need that needs to get fixed and fixed soon.
Chicago Bears (6-10, 11th overall pick) Need: Linebacker help
Remember the days of Brian Urlacher? Or going back a few more, Mike Singletary? Those guys were part of Super Bowl defenses that made offenses falter, running backs duck out of bounds and quarterbacks forget their kid's names (concussion joke, hurrah!) Now what does that Chicago defense boast? 30th in interceptions (8), 22nd in total sacks (36) and -4 giveaway/takeaway ratio. Ouch. Now the question is how do you get back on the right track? You need to rebuild that spotty linebacker core. Sam Acho, Christian Jones... not really household names. Nor, should they be. A name that isn't household either but I think would make in impact in Chicago is Colts (most likely free agent) Jerrell Freeman. He has started 57 games for the Colts and would make a solid addition to any team. Or, how about Nick Perry? He hasn't played a full season for Green Bay but amassed 3.5 sacks this year in the post season and has been in a 3-4 scheme his entire career. Looking at the draft one name jumps out to me and that's Reggie Ragland out of Alabama. SEC defensive player of the year, 6'1, 240lbs, and has a great nose for the ball. He can be the first brick to rebuilding that LB core inside out.
Detroit Lions (7-9, 16th overall pick) Need: Safety
The Lions have a flare for mediocrity. Since 2011 they have seen the playoffs twice but post a 39-41 record. Nothing flashy, nothing awful, truly middle of the pack. It is easy to pin the problems on long time quarterback Matt Stafford but even in down years he still posts par numbers; this year he had 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. I think the problem is on the other side of the ball. More specifically at the safety spot. They have four safeties whose average age equals 29. Two of the four are just glorified special team'ers. So, that leaves Glover Quinn (30) and James Ihedigbo (32) and who is slatted to become a free agent anyways. Now what? Luckily for the Lions there are two guys in thier prime who would help bring some pep and more turnovers to that secondary. First, is George Iloka from Cincy who is already being targeted by the Vikings and Eagles. Second, is Tashaun Gipson out of the Browns organization. He is a free safety that has started 42 games, has 14 interceptions and 2 touchdowns already in his young career. In the draft? Well, if they don't take a receiver (ha ha) they should be looking at the only top tier safety in the draft, Vonn Bell from Ohio State. Both Gipson or Bell can give that secondary the jolt it needs to maybe put this team back in contention.
Green Bay Packers (10-6, 27th overall pick) Need:Offensive Tackle
I feel like if you watched any Packers' games last year their need was quite apparent. That offensive line gave up 47 sacks last year (5th overall.) Now, the interior line is pretty stout. But, the tackle spot is weak... and I feel like that is an understatement. Left tackle David Bakhtiari had lingering ankle issues and right tackle Bryan Bulaga dealt with meniscus and MCL problems last season as well. That means back up Don Barclay has to step in and he is, to quote Fox Sports, "a total nightmare." Now, with all that out in the open what can they scoop up in FA? Three veterans that have various issues of their own but all are an improvement over Barclay. Russell Okung, who is representing himself sans agent, is coming off of shoulder surgery. Andre Smith who had to sit out for a concussion last year and prior to that had surgery to repair his torn triceps. And lastly, Kelvin Beachum, who had to be carted off the field last year with a knee injury. In the draft there is some serious tackle talent but that will be gone by the 27th pick. But, if they do go tackle I think Germain Ifedi from Texas A&M would be a great fit. He is used to protecting a moving QB and has great size. But, there are some downsides to him. He has problems moving positions on the line and left tackle may not be a great fit. However, the offensive line coach, James Campen, has been the line coach since 2007 and could help polish Infedi into a long time starter for the Packers.
Minnesota Vikings (11-5, 23rd overall pick) Need: Wide Receiver
It looks like the Vikings may have fond their franchise quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. So. Now that he is in place they need to get this man some targets. Kyle Rudolph, tight end, is already a great red zone threat, leading the team with 5 receiving touchdowns. And Stefon Diggs has done a great job becoming Bridgewater's go to guy leading the team with 720yds (also 4TD.) But, I think they are lacking a solid complementing receiver. Mike Wallace is set to make 11.5 million after having a bland 473yd, 2TD year. Odds are they restructure his contact or cut him and look else where. Who is there for the Vikings in FA? A ton of receivers! Everything from old veterans to big dollar number one guys. But, I think they need somewhere in the middle and that, for me, means two guys. One, Travis Benjamin from the Browns. He is a deep threat and can also help carry the load in the return game with already dangerous Cordarrelle Patterson. Or maybe a less splashy yet explosive Mohamed Sanu from Cincinnati. He had a down season in 2015 but the Bengals had injury problems at quarterback all year long and had issues along the offensive line. In the draft, I like them to take Josh Doctson from TCU. He was a top ten combine stud and was a semi finalist for the Biletnikoff, Walter Camp and Maxwell awards. Oh, had broke two school records this year, 79 receptions (for 1,337yds) and 14 touchdowns. And lastly, we already know he plays well in purple.
Who is next? NFC West.
Stats, facts and figures: ESPN.com, NFL.com, SBNation.com, CBSSports.com
Chicago Bears (6-10, 11th overall pick) Need: Linebacker help
Remember the days of Brian Urlacher? Or going back a few more, Mike Singletary? Those guys were part of Super Bowl defenses that made offenses falter, running backs duck out of bounds and quarterbacks forget their kid's names (concussion joke, hurrah!) Now what does that Chicago defense boast? 30th in interceptions (8), 22nd in total sacks (36) and -4 giveaway/takeaway ratio. Ouch. Now the question is how do you get back on the right track? You need to rebuild that spotty linebacker core. Sam Acho, Christian Jones... not really household names. Nor, should they be. A name that isn't household either but I think would make in impact in Chicago is Colts (most likely free agent) Jerrell Freeman. He has started 57 games for the Colts and would make a solid addition to any team. Or, how about Nick Perry? He hasn't played a full season for Green Bay but amassed 3.5 sacks this year in the post season and has been in a 3-4 scheme his entire career. Looking at the draft one name jumps out to me and that's Reggie Ragland out of Alabama. SEC defensive player of the year, 6'1, 240lbs, and has a great nose for the ball. He can be the first brick to rebuilding that LB core inside out.
Detroit Lions (7-9, 16th overall pick) Need: Safety
The Lions have a flare for mediocrity. Since 2011 they have seen the playoffs twice but post a 39-41 record. Nothing flashy, nothing awful, truly middle of the pack. It is easy to pin the problems on long time quarterback Matt Stafford but even in down years he still posts par numbers; this year he had 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. I think the problem is on the other side of the ball. More specifically at the safety spot. They have four safeties whose average age equals 29. Two of the four are just glorified special team'ers. So, that leaves Glover Quinn (30) and James Ihedigbo (32) and who is slatted to become a free agent anyways. Now what? Luckily for the Lions there are two guys in thier prime who would help bring some pep and more turnovers to that secondary. First, is George Iloka from Cincy who is already being targeted by the Vikings and Eagles. Second, is Tashaun Gipson out of the Browns organization. He is a free safety that has started 42 games, has 14 interceptions and 2 touchdowns already in his young career. In the draft? Well, if they don't take a receiver (ha ha) they should be looking at the only top tier safety in the draft, Vonn Bell from Ohio State. Both Gipson or Bell can give that secondary the jolt it needs to maybe put this team back in contention.
Green Bay Packers (10-6, 27th overall pick) Need:Offensive Tackle
I feel like if you watched any Packers' games last year their need was quite apparent. That offensive line gave up 47 sacks last year (5th overall.) Now, the interior line is pretty stout. But, the tackle spot is weak... and I feel like that is an understatement. Left tackle David Bakhtiari had lingering ankle issues and right tackle Bryan Bulaga dealt with meniscus and MCL problems last season as well. That means back up Don Barclay has to step in and he is, to quote Fox Sports, "a total nightmare." Now, with all that out in the open what can they scoop up in FA? Three veterans that have various issues of their own but all are an improvement over Barclay. Russell Okung, who is representing himself sans agent, is coming off of shoulder surgery. Andre Smith who had to sit out for a concussion last year and prior to that had surgery to repair his torn triceps. And lastly, Kelvin Beachum, who had to be carted off the field last year with a knee injury. In the draft there is some serious tackle talent but that will be gone by the 27th pick. But, if they do go tackle I think Germain Ifedi from Texas A&M would be a great fit. He is used to protecting a moving QB and has great size. But, there are some downsides to him. He has problems moving positions on the line and left tackle may not be a great fit. However, the offensive line coach, James Campen, has been the line coach since 2007 and could help polish Infedi into a long time starter for the Packers.
Minnesota Vikings (11-5, 23rd overall pick) Need: Wide Receiver
It looks like the Vikings may have fond their franchise quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. So. Now that he is in place they need to get this man some targets. Kyle Rudolph, tight end, is already a great red zone threat, leading the team with 5 receiving touchdowns. And Stefon Diggs has done a great job becoming Bridgewater's go to guy leading the team with 720yds (also 4TD.) But, I think they are lacking a solid complementing receiver. Mike Wallace is set to make 11.5 million after having a bland 473yd, 2TD year. Odds are they restructure his contact or cut him and look else where. Who is there for the Vikings in FA? A ton of receivers! Everything from old veterans to big dollar number one guys. But, I think they need somewhere in the middle and that, for me, means two guys. One, Travis Benjamin from the Browns. He is a deep threat and can also help carry the load in the return game with already dangerous Cordarrelle Patterson. Or maybe a less splashy yet explosive Mohamed Sanu from Cincinnati. He had a down season in 2015 but the Bengals had injury problems at quarterback all year long and had issues along the offensive line. In the draft, I like them to take Josh Doctson from TCU. He was a top ten combine stud and was a semi finalist for the Biletnikoff, Walter Camp and Maxwell awards. Oh, had broke two school records this year, 79 receptions (for 1,337yds) and 14 touchdowns. And lastly, we already know he plays well in purple.
Who is next? NFC West.
Stats, facts and figures: ESPN.com, NFL.com, SBNation.com, CBSSports.com
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