Quarterbacks
1. Green Bay Packers
When you have the best player in football, you will find your way to the top of this list. Green Bay loves having Aaron Rodgers and with him, they are always contenders for a Super Bowl. But don't underestimate the backups with Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien. Flynn may have disappointed as a starter outside of Green Bay but he gave Green Bay valuable help when Rodgers was hurt and Tolzien continues to have the tools to one day be a great backup as well.
2. Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler can continue to develop and turn into an even better quarterback with the help of Marc Trestman as long as he stays healthy. With great wide receivers and one of the best quarterback teachers in the game, it's hard to find a better situation than Chicago for any quarterback. Trestman can work with guys like David Fales and Jordan Palmer, turning them into better players than anyone could have expected.
3. Minnesota Vikings
While Matt Cassel has faced plenty of criticism in his career for never being able to continue upon the short success he had in New England, many fail to understand his role for a team. Cassel is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league and gives the Vikings time to develop rookie Teddy Bridgewater. Cassel can hold the job down and give Bridgewater advice until he is ready to take over the job. Meanwhile Christian Ponder sits as the Vikings' third string quarterback, hoping he eventually gets traded so he can be upgraded to a backup.
4. Detroit Lions
2014 is going to be a major test for the Lions, they have given Matthew Stafford everything he needs to be successful. He has the weapons needed to be great, a strong offensive line and a great coaching staff. He plays in an offense where he gets to throw the ball 600 times a year and just be reckless. But if Stafford has another 20-interception season, the Lions will be in trouble only looking at Dan Orlovsky behind him.
Running Backs
1. Minnesota Vikings
Similar to the Packers, the Vikings are at the top thanks to having one of the best players in the game here. Adrian Peterson has battled some injuries but when he is healthy, there are few players more dominant and his numbers will improve with a real quarterback behind center. The team's overall depth took a hit with the loss of Toby Gerhart but AP keeps them atop the running back rankings in the North.
2. Green Bay Packers
In 2012, running back was arguably the weakest position on the Packers' roster, but things have certainly changed two years later. Eddie Lacy quickly emerged as a top-10 running back and with James Starks and Johnathan Franklin behind him, the Packers are now loaded at the position. Even if one goes down, Green Bay is now in a position to be set for a long time.
3. Detroit Lions
The NFC North is pretty strong at running back so for the Lions to be third with Reggie Bush and Joique Bell is telling. Bush and Bell combine for one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFC, especially with what they bring as receivers out of the backfield. The big knock for them is their injury woes and the lack of depth behind them.
4. Chicago Bears
Matt Forte made another step forward last season, showing why he has become one of the best running backs in the game. His great balance between being a great running back and skilled receiver helped him become a focal part of this offense. Now the Bears need to hope rookie Ka'Deem Carey can come through on the hype that made college football fans love him in 2013. Otherwise, Chicago is in serious trouble if Forte gets hurt.
Wide Receivers
1. Green Bay Packers
While the Packers may not have the best wide receiver in the division or the best duo, there should be no question about them having the best depth at wide receiver. Jordy Nelson continues to show why he is a top-12 wide receiver and a healthy Randall Cobb is ready for a breakout season moving around the field. Pair that with Jarrett Boykin and rookie Davante Adams and the Packers have an overloaded arsenal of weapons for Rodgers to work with.
2. Chicago Bears
The Bears took a chance when they took Alshon Jeffery in 2012 and the reward has been monumental. Jeffery had a breakout season in 2013 and now paired with Brandon Marshall gives the Bears two unstoppable, big wide receivers for Cutler to throw to. Only thing keeping them from the top is depth at the position.
3. Detroit Lions
Normally the team with the best wide receiver in the game would be higher, but being third just shows how stacked the NFC North is at wide receiver. Calvin Johnson can't be stopped even versus triple coverage and the addition of Golden Tate will help this offense even more. But the Lions fall just short of Chicago and behind the Packers.
4. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings don't often get recognition for their starting wide receivers but this is a good group. Greg Jennings still found ways to get open last year, but just couldn't put up the same numbers with poor quarterback play. Meanwhile Cordarrelle Patterson shined in the second half of the season with his speed and big play ability. If Jerome Simpson can again deliver a quality season as the third wide received, this could be a very good offense.
Tight Ends
1. Detroit Lions
The Lions went for luxury with the 10th overall pick when they selected tight end Eric Ebron and it helped further the gap between their group and the rest of the NFC North. Brandon Pettigrew can now serve as a good number-two tight end and Joseph Fauria can rotate in when the Lions are in the red zone. But this is all about Ebron coming into this offense and adding another dynamic weapon for Stafford to throw to.
2. Chicago Bears
Martellus Bennett always had the talent to be a high-caliber tight end in the NFL but things never clicked, that was until he joined the Bears last season. Bennett set career-highs in receptions (65) and receiving yards (759), becoming a trustable target for Cutler to look for when he didn't have time to go deep to Marshall or Jeffery. Now Bennett is back and with Dante Rosario focusing on blocking, it opens the door for Bennett to focus on catching passes.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Kyle Rudolph has had a rollercoaster career with the Vikings. After a strong sophomore showing when he put up 53 receptions and nine touchdowns, Rudolph's numbers dropped to 30 receptions and three touchdowns in 2013. The biggest issue has always been at quarterback and the inconsistency play this entire offense has dealt with on a weekly basis. Rudolph should be happy with the arrival of Bridgewater but if he can't come through, don't be surprised if rookie A.C. Leonard becomes a late season star.
4. Green Bay Packers
The Packers tight end position is certainly in flux right now. Jermichael Finely may or may not come back if he is cleared, Brandon Bostick has always had potential but can't get on the field and Andrew Quarless is a nice number-two tight end. All of the questions open the door for Colt Lyerla to push himself near the top and eventually take over, but there are still serious doubts if he is ready for the pressure of playing in the NFL.
Defensive Line
1. Detroit Lions
Heading into the 2014 season, the Lions have the best defensive line in the NFC North and are separated from the rest of the pack by a significant margin. Ndamukong Suh may run into some penalties at times but few players are more dominating on the defensive line and when Nick Fairley has the light switch flipped on, he can be great as well. Ziggy Ansah posted eight sacks as a rookie last season and with more development could push that number into the double digits. This is a strong group that can stay together as long as money doesn't become a problem.
2. Chicago Bears
Chicago's offensive line was downright unwatchable in 2013 thanks to injuries and declining play of veterans but they have turned things around quickly thanks to a strong offseason focused on improving the overall group. Lamarr Houston will provide a major upgrade replacing Julius Peppers and the Bears brought in a similar veteran presence when they signed Jared Allen. The interior line is still a bit of a question with Jay Ratliff and Stephen Paea but the starters and strong depth are more than enough to give them the second best defensive line in the NFC North.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings made a smart decision by letting Allen walk after his great six-year run with the franchise because it was time to move on. While they might have overpaid to keep Everson Griffen, he has made major strides both on and off the field in just a short time, and that should only continue with Mike Zimmer. Linval Joseph was one of the steals of free agency and should give Minnesota immediate help creating interior pressure along with second-year tackle Sharrif Floyd. One name to keep an eye on is rookie Scott Crichton who lands in a 4-3 defense where he can stay at defensive end and rotate in as a run-stuffer.
4. Green Bay Packers
Mike Daniels wasn't supposed to be Green Bay's breakout star in 2013 but that's exactly what he was. Daniels came through in a big way as a rotational player with 6.5 sacks. Now the Packers are hoping someone like Datone Jones can have that second-year breakthrough or B.J. Raji finally shows a sign of life after moving back to nose tackle. The Packers' defensive line has plenty of depth and potential, but there are far too many questions entering the season.
Linebackers
1. Detroit Lions
Detroit takes the top spot in the NFC North linebacker rankings thanks to great play in 2013 from Stephen Tulloch and an impressive season from DeAndre Levy. Levy has been exceptional dropping back in coverage and covering tight ends while Tulloch has anchored the middle of the field. Now the Lions hope rookie Kyle Van Noy can mix between getting after the quarterback and dropping back into coverage.
2. Chicago Bears
While Lance Briggs is slowing down with age, he continues to provide the Bears with one of their few trusted starters at the position. Briggs is the leader of the defense and continues to help guide along young guys like Jon Bostic and Khaseem Greene. It shouldn't take much for Greene to pass Shea McClellin on the depth chart at "Sam", leaving McClellin to serve as a pass rusher on third downs. If D.J. Williams could stay healthy, he can give Chicago enough production to keep the Bears near the top of the NFC North linebacker ranks.
3. Green Bay Packers
Like with the rest of the roster, health remains the big question at linebacker for the Packers. If Clay Matthews and Nick Perry could stay healthy, we might be talking about the best group on this list. Unfortunately, it's been a lock that both linebackers miss at least three games every season. Brad Jones had a strong 2012 season but was a hindrance in 2013, while A.J. Hawk continues to be average. Fans will also want to focus on how successful Julius Peppers can be as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Not too long ago Chad Greenway would have pushed this group closer to the top but his play has declined due to age and injuries. Meanwhile there will be a battle between Jasper Brinkley and Audie Cole for the starting "Mike" linebacker position. The one name to really keep an eye on will be rookie Anthony Barr, who flashes a lot of potential and that could really be tapped into with the help of Mike Zimmer.
Cornerbacks
1. Chicago Bears
Chicago already had two outstanding corners in Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings, then they added Kyle Fuller with their first pick. Fuller was viewed by many as the top corner in the 2014 class and now gives the Bears one of the best cornerback trios in the NFC. Together the group should have fun locking down some of the best wide receivers in the game and giving more opportunities to the Bears' offense.
2. Green Bay Packers
As long as this group can stay healthy, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields should be strong on outside, while Casey Hayward makes plays in the slot. Hayward's absence was monumental last season as the Packers continued to try and find a solution with only some help coming from Micah Hyde. Now with everyone together, this could be the best group Green Bay has had in awhile.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings aren't much better off than the Lions at cornerback but the acquisition of Captain Munnerlyn certainly helped widen the gap between the two teams. Munnerlyn had a breakout year for the Carolina Panthers in 2013 and now comes to Minnesota where he can pair with Xavier Rhodes to give the Vikings two good, young corners. While Rhodes is still developing, it shouldn't be long before the pair emerge and push this group to the top of the NFC North.
4. Detroit Lions
The Lions failed to address the cornerback position in the draft, instead hoping that 34-year-old Rashean Mathis can have another quality season and second-year corner Darius Slay can step up. The Lions can't keep relying on their safety play to keep their secondary afloat, and will need to see more improvement from all of their cornerbacks.
Safeties
1. Detroit Lions
While the NFC North may certainly be lacking in overall talent at the safety position, the Lions manage to sit atop the group with the best overall safety unit. Glover Quin was strong last year and now will get help from new strong safety James Ihedigbo. With Ihedigbo focusing on the run, Quin should have free reign in the secondary to create plays.
2. Minnesota Vikings
While Harrison Smith missed eight games last season, he still did more than enough to show why the Vikings were willing to take him with the 20th pick in 2012. Smith has always had a nose for finding the ball carrier and was on pace for more than 100 tackles. Now in Mike Zimmer's defense, he really can emerge as a great safety.
3. Green Bay Packers
The Packers hit the jackpot when Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix fell to them with the 21st pick, but now the rookie must go out and prove himself. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers is going to make Clinton-Dix earn the starting role alongside Morgan Burnett as the Packers continue to try and find a solution to fixing their defense.
4. Chicago Bears
Chicago came into the offseason with major holes at safety, but instead turned their focus towards improving on the defensive line. While they hope rookie Brock Vereen can step up with significant snaps, they are still left to rely on Ryan Mundy and Chris Conte. This is still a weak position and one quarterbacks like Rodgers and Stafford will look to attack often.