After two teams from the NFC North made the playoffs in 2012, all four teams went into the 2013 draft determined to fill as many holes and add as much depth as possible; with hopes of staying competitive for the division title. As a whole, the division did a good job, getting an overall B-. Now, that’s not to say that there weren’t some bad picks or that all the teams at stellar drafts.
So with that in mind, let’s take a look at how things stand in the “Norse Division” post draft. But first, be sure to check out my eDraft Sports Radio co-host, Vincent Frank’s grades for the entire division - here.
Not to sound like a homer, but it’s fairly obvious that the Green Bay Packers “won” within the division this year. They solidified their defensive line with first-round selection Datone Jones, added two of the three best running backs in the class in Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin and added some key depth (and potential future starters) to their offensive line with David Bakhtiari and J.C. Tretter. The Packers were able to find some great value throughout the draft and did a good job of fixing their problems on the depth chart. Jones, Lacy and Franklin all look to have an immediate impact on the team in 2013 and the running backs will give Green Bay a balanced offensive attack for the first time in Aaron Rodgers’ tenure.
The Chicago Bears shocked everyone by selecting Kyle Long and Jon Bostic with their first two picks. While both players are talented and have tremendous potential, they were definitely considered reaches based on other players at the same positions that were still available. From there the Bears really nailed their final four picks, getting value with each one and four players that will push to be starters right away next season.
The Minnesota Vikings’ draft was similar to the Bears, in that they really nailed some of their picks, while a few others were serious head scratchers. Getting Sharrif Floyd and Xavier Rhodes at the end of the first round was just ridiculous value. Both players had top-15 grades and will be immediate starters. The Vikings then shocked the world by trading four picks to the New England Patriots to get back into the bottom of the first round and select Cordarrelle Patterson. While Patterson is as raw as they come, and that’s a lot of picks to give up for any one prospect; he has the most potential out of any receivers in this class and goes to a great situation in Minnesota where he’ll be able to learn from Greg Jennings. Despite the number of picks they gave up to grab Patterson, I still feel like it was a great choice. The Vikings next three picks were total head scratchers: A punter in the fifth round, when you already have one? Really Minnesota? Just a wasted value there. But they salvaged the end of the draft, getting three guys who have a ton of potential in Michael Mauti, Travis Bond and Everett Dawkins.
Finally, we have the perpetually bad Detroit Lions. The Lions had the worst draft in the division, by far. Spending the fifth overall pick on a player that you’re banking 100 percent on his upside, not production is a risky, and stupid move. The Lions decided to draft Ziggy Ansah instead of addressing their SERIOUS need at offensive tackle (which they failed to do at all through the draft). From there they made their best two picks of the draft in Darius Slay and Larry Warford. After that, the lions just reached for players that they didn’t need and won’t help their floundering team right away. The Lions’ 2013 draft reminded me a lot of the Matt Millen years, sans taking a receiver in the first round. They did draft Corey Fuller in the sixth round, but there were still better receivers available that would have helped Matthew Stafford and company a lot more.
In the end, the Division really stayed about the same. The Packers came out clearly ahead of everyone else and the Vikings added some key players that will help them stay competitive with Green Bay. The Bears had a decent draft, but that offensive line is going to have a serious problem facing the Packers’, Lions’ and Vikings’ formidable defensive fronts twice a year. The Lions added some good pieces to their team, but they are still way behind the rest of the division and will likely finish in the cellar once again.