We are less than a month away from the 2015 NFL Draft and in the final weeks, draft boards are being finalized as teams prioritize value, talent and need into their big board. While many teams believe in the "best player available" mindset, it's important to know that the focus is on finding the players who offers the most valuable at an important position. Need is certainly an important factor as teams will still look towards the best player at specific positions to help upgrade their team.
The NFC North has seen plenty of change recently—the Chicago Bears have a new front office and coaching staff, the Detroit Lions lost a star on the defensive line and the Minnesota Vikings are on the rise. As for the Green Bay Packers, defense remains a need as usual. Let's take a look at each NFC North team's biggest need heading into the draft.
Green Bay Packers: Inside Linebacker
While the Packers did an excellent job retaining Bryan Bulaga and Randall Cobb, the defense remains an issue. After cutting ties with Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk, two players who vastly underperformed the past two seasons, Green Bay lacks talent and depth at inside linebacker.
Clay Matthews impressed at inside linebacker, helping Green Bay improve versus the run, while offering an inside-outside pass rush combo of Matthews and Peppers. But even if Matthews can stay healthy next season, which is in doubt given his track record, the Packers need more help at the position.
With a young, improved defensive line eating up blocks, Green Bay needs a linebacker like UCLA's Eric Kendricks, who offers some of the best instincts in this class, could slide inside immediately and help versus the run and in coverage. The Packers could also look at Clemson's Stephone Anthony if they trade down from 30 into the 35-40 range.
Minnesota Vikings: Cornerback
While surrounding Teddy Bridgewater with more talent should remain a priority, the best option for the Vikings with the 11th pick is to address the cornerback spot. In a pass-heavy division with the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, having a great secondary is a must.
Taking a cornerback like Washington's Marcus Peters with the 11th pick should be an easy decision. Minnesota already has two centerpieces in the secondary with corner Xavier Rhodes and safety Harrison Smith. Then when you include Captain Munnerlyn in the slot and the team being coached up by Mike Zimmer, this is a match made in heaven.
Minnesota has needs at wide receiver and on the offensive line, but Marcus Peters is a top-five talent in this class, offers great value at the 11th pick and would fit in nicely into Minnesota's defense.
Detroit Lions: Defensive Tackle
Even after the acquisition of Haloti Ngata, adding to the interior defensive line should remain a priority for Detroit. The loss of Ndamukong Suh is significant and the departure of Nick Fairley cannot be discounted. While defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is an excellent coach and great defensive mind, this defense needs help.
Detroit is actually in better position to address its need in the mid-20's then if they were picking in the top-15. Value wise, defensive tackles like Malcom Brown, Eddie Goldman and Malcom Brown are much better values around the 20-30 range. Drafting a young defensive tackle in the first round gives the Lions a player who can make an impact immediately, but also be mentored by one of the best defensive linemen in the last decade.
By addressing the defensive line early, the Lions set themselves up for another outstanding season defensively. They can then address the offensive line and running back position in round two and four, while using the rest of the draft to add depth.
Chicago Bears: Pass Rush
Under new management, the Bears could go a number of directions with the seventh overall picks. Their are needs all over the roster—safety, cornerback, defensive line, wide receiver, offensive line and quarterback. While an ideal world would have Marcus Mariota fall to Chicago, that's just not going to happen.
In order to build this defense, Chicago needs to add as many assets as possible. The biggest chess piece you need in Vic Fangio's defense is an edge rusher. While the Bears have already added Pernell McPhee and have Lamarr Houston, they need even more help.
The Bears could look at someone like Vic Beasley, Dante Fowler or Randy Gregory as more chess pieces to add to Fangio's defense. Improving their pass rush and more players to rotate not only keeps players fresh throughout the game, the pressure on the quarterback helps make things easier for Chicago's corners and safeties.