Draft grades and reaction: NFC North

After a strange year for the NFC North, the division is looking primed for the taking this year with all four teams potentially in the mix. With Aaron Rodgers finally leaving Green Bay, it’s a race to the top and this draft could go a long way to see who ends up victorious.

After already trading back from the number one pick, the Bears traded back once again, this time just one spot but were able to grab one of the best tackle prospects in the draft in Darnell Wright. Wright looks to be a right tackle who could lock down that side of the line for years to come.

Gervon Dexter Sr., taken in the second round by the Bears, was seen by many as a third or even fourth-rounder, but sometimes a player that size can be too tempting to pass on. Potential starters at DB and DT were added elsewhere in the third.

Despite sitting in Bijan Robinson’s shadow at Texas Roschon Johnson is the real deal as a running back and could play a big part for the Bears early in his career. Elsewhere Noah Sewell highlighted the rest of day three as they looked to add depth across what looks to be an improving roster.

The Bears were able to turn the number one pick into a haul including multiple first and second-rounders, and still come out of the draft with their starting right tackle. Some smart work from the front office.

A team surrounded by optimism going into 2023, the Lions went a curious route in the first round, selecting the second-best running back at 12 and an inside linebacker at 18. Both Gibbs and Campbell could well be impactful starters but in two of the least valuable positions on the roster.

After a bad start to the draft, the Lions were able to regroup and take tight-end Sam LaPorta, DB Brian Branch, and QB Hendon Hooker on day two. LaPorta will replace TJ Hockenson immediately and Branch adds versatility to the defense. Hooker is a flyer given his age and injury issues, but could challenge to start in time.

With just two picks on day three, it is tough to judge just how well the Lions did, but Colby Sorsdal is seen as a good rotation piece along the offensive line and could be a starter in time. WR Antoine Green was worth a swing late on given his speed.

Whilst day two certainly boosted the Lions’ draft, taking a running back and inside linebacker with such premium picks it’s tough to be too optimistic about it overall. Gibbs will be impactful in the Lions’ high-flying offense but almost certainly won’t justify the 12th pick in the draft.

The Packers chose Lukas Van Ness with the 13th pick. A powerful athlete who could become a talented pass rusher in time, Van Ness does need some work on how to set up his pass rush moves, but if it clicks he could be a problem for opposing QBs.

The Packers needed to add receiving options for new starting QB Jordan Love and they did just that, taking TEs Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft as well as wideout Jayden Reed. All three should have opportunities earlier in an offense going through a complete revamp.

With 9 picks on day three, the Packers took swings all over the place, which is often a decent way to go. The only head-scratcher was Penn State QB Sean Clifford in the fifth round as he was seen by most to be an undrafted free agent.

Van Ness will immediately add something new to the Packers’ pass rush, and could well become a dominant player but will need some fine-tuning. The process on day two looks good on paper, trying to add as many offensive weapons as possible for a QB otherwise lacking them.

The Vikings needed to add a receiver across from Justin Jefferson, and they did just that with the addition of Jordan Addison at 23. A superb route-runner, Addison will take some pressure off Jefferson and should find himself in plenty of space. Good pick.

After losing their second-round pick to the Lions as part of the in-season trade for TJ Hockenson, the Vikings selected Mekhi Blackmon out of USC in the third. Blackmon is a competitive defensive back but this looks a round or two early for him.

DB Jay Ward was the highlight for the Vikings on day three as he looks like a versatile player who could get plenty of snaps on obvious passing downs. Elsewhere the Vikings added some depth on the defensive line and running back and QB Jaren Hall could develop into a good backup in time.

Whilst days two and three were unspectacular for the Vikings, the selection of Jordan Addison could prove to be a key piece as they look to take their offense to the next level.