Teams are getting their first taste of how much can be accomplished in just one offseason, as players from veteran free agents to rookies have started get acclimated with their new teams during OTAs. The NFC North is now loaded with even more talent, giving the NFC West a run for their money, as the best division in the conference from top-to-bottom. This division is where we continue eDrafts coverage of each teams top rookies during OTAs.
Green Bay Packers
The king of the castle until someone can prove otherwise, the Packers will go into the season as the favorite to be crowned division champion once again, but the difference in talent between them and the rest of the North is slimmer than Kate Moss on Nutrislim.
Ted Thompson watched the best safety in the draft class fall in his lap with Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, cashing in on both value and need in the process. Thompson also took advantage of a deep receiver class, grabbing three-new weapons for Aaron Rodgers including hometown favorite Jarred Abbrederis. Fourth-round pick Carl Bradford was an excellent addition and could be the best of the bunch five-years down the road, as he will provide a huge pass-rushing presence behind Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers.
Best Rookie from OTAs: Richard Rodgers, Tight End, California
With bigger names on the board, Rodgers was a surprise selection in the third round. However, so far during OTAs Rodgers has lived up to the billing with plenty more to spare. Early buzz around camp is Rodgers has impressed the most out of any rookie so far. The tight-end has made some circus catches and is becoming an early fan favorite thus far. With the current tight-end spot vacant, the rookie has every opportunity to come in and form a Rodgers-to-Rodgers connection for the Packers in 2104.
Chicago Bears
The Bears offense was a juggernaut under Mark Trestman last season, and that production should continue to increase even more entering year two. The offense is the least of the teams worries, which is why they focused on the defensive side of the ball early and often during the offseason. Bringing in Jared Allen and Lamar Houston was a great start in rebuilding the defensive-line and adding defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton early in the draft helped seal the deal, infusing the unit with veteran leadership and young talent. The biggest question is if adding secondary players like Kyle Fuller and Brock Vereen will be enough to contain Aaron Rodgers, and help crown them division champions.
Best Rookie from OTAs: Kyle Fuller, Cornerback, Virginia Tech
Fuller was selected by the Bears in the first-round with the fourteenth-overall pick and was regarded as one of the top-three cornerbacks in the class. So far during OTAs he has been in the starting rotation lining up opposite of Charles Tillman. Even more impressively, during nickel formations, Fuller has slid into the slot role showing off his versatility. Fuller will learn from two savvy veterans in Tillman and Tim Jennings while he learns the nuances of the NFL. So far however, Fuller has looked impressive and should have a huge impact in the Bears secondary, giving them a solid 1-2-3 punch at the position.
Minnesota Vikings
General manager Rick Spielman has been notorious for trading backup into the first-round to grab “their guy”. This year was no different after the team failed to move up for Johnny Manziel, they eventually found a trade partner for the last pick and stole quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who just weeks prior was regard as the top-quarterback of the draft. Himself and Matt Cassel have been splitting first-team reps thus far during practices, but the coaching staff has been adamant they wont make a decision on the starter until later on in the process.
Spielman also gave head coach Mike Zimmer his first new toy in Anthony Barr. Zimmer stated he was very enamored with the size, speed and length of Barr and will look to mold him into a chess-piece in his hybrid front-seven formations, but should ultimately be attacking the backfield which is what he does best. From their the team scooped up on some great value taking guard David Yankey in the fifth-round and safety Antone Exum in the sixth round. This team went 5-10-1 last season losing four games in the final minute. With two new coaches in Zimmer and Norv Turner, the team finally has coaches with proven track records of success. Between them and a new haul of free agents and draftees, the Vikings are ready to climb out of the NFC North cellar and compete for the crown.
Best Rookie from OTAs: Antonio Richardson, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee
The Vikings best rookie to date thus far in the process has been an undrafted free agent. Big namers like Barr, Bridgewater, and Yankey have all been forced to miss significant time during OTAs due to off the field circumstances outside their control. In the mean time Richardson has stolen the spotlight looking every bit dominant of the prospect we saw on film, which ultimately earned him a consensus day-two grade.
A physical with red flags surrounding his knee took him off a majority of teams boards causing him to go undrafted. So far so good though, Richardson rookie showed up to practice looking crisp, healthy, and down right scary at times. With Matt Kalil recovering form offseason surgery, Richardson was catapulted into the starting rotation where he held his own, and showed great promise for the future if he can stay healthy.
Detroit Lions
Its called Lions Logic: The team needed secondary help in the worse way, so they took a tight end. The move basically said we know we can’t stop you, but we’re going to score more points than you anyways. Teaming up Calvin Johnson with Eric Ebron is a good way to do that, with his ability to lineup all over the field and create mismatches from the inside and outside. Selecting outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy was a good pick up in the second round, one of my personal favorites from the Senior Bowl, Van Noy will be another weapon in the front-seven with a slew of first-rounders playing in front of him.
Travis Swanson#and Caraun Reid were both good value and will add talent and depth to both sides of the line of scrimmage, helping the team become more physical in the trenches where they have lacked identity for years. In a division with gunslingers like Rodgers, Cutler, and now first-rounder Bridgewater, will the Lions be able to score enough points on a weekly basis to become NFC North champions?
Best Rookie from OTAs: Eric Ebron, Tight End, Detroit Lions
The second tight-end to make the list, Ebron is showing off his versatility with his ability to line up anywhere and everywhere. Adding a player with the ability to attract attention from multiple defenders was the biggest offseason priority for the offense, so the team could find more ways to get Calvin Johnson the ball, with more efficient opportunities. Ebron hasn’t lit the world on fire in just a few practices, but he has shown the talent to beat defenders one-on-one, helping opening up things for Johnson and the rest of the offense.