NFC North Draft Grades
Now that the NFL Draft is over, teams can now turn their full attention to the upcoming season. In a Draft that saw a record number of trades (38) in Philadelphia, it’s time to figure out who filled their needs, who got fleeced, and who found a late-round steal. Here are the Draft Grades for the NFC North.
Chicago Bears: D
Mitch Trubisky (QB, UNC), Adam Shaheen (TE, Ashland), Eddie Jackson (S, Alabama), Tarik Cohen (RB, North Carolina A&T), Jordan Morgan (G, Kutztown).
The Bears sent a ransom to the 49ers (3rd overall, 2017 3rd, 2017 4th, 2018 3rd) to move up just one spot in the first round, without getting any other picks in return, to take Mitch Trubisky despite paying Mike Glennon almost $20 million guaranteed in free agency. GM Ryan Pace reportedly did not tell coach John Fox about the move, creating more tension. Trubisky may end up being a good player, but has potentially cost a struggling Bears team four other players. Shaheen is a raw but exciting player, but Chicago really needed to take a wide receiver or go defense in the 2nd round. Jackson is a versatile upgrade, but is rehabbing an injury.
Detroit Lions: A-
Jarrad Davis (LB, Florida), Teez Tabor (CB, Florida), Kenny Golladay (WR, Northern Illinois), Jalen Maybin-Reeves (LB, Tennessee), Michael Roberts (TE, Toledo), Jamal Agnew (CB, San Diego), Jeremiah Ledbetter (DE, Arkansas), Brad Kaaya (QB, Miami), Pat O’Connor (DE, Eastern Michigan).
Detroit raided a stingy Florida defense for two starters. Davis will be a multi-year starter at middle linebacker for the Lions as a do-it-all player. Tabor is a tough, physical corner to pair with Slay. Golladay can be a redzone weapon and vertical threat, while Roberts is a touchdown machine and allows the Lions to run quality two TE sets. Maybin-Reeves is a fast linebacker who could be a steal in the 4th.
Green Bay Packers: B
Kevin King (CB, Washington), Josh Jones (S, NC State), Montravius Adams (DT, Auburn), Vince Biegel (LB, Wisconsin), Jamaal Williams (RB, BYU), DeAngelo Yancey (WR, Purdue), Aaron Jones (RB, Texas El-Paso), Kofi Amichia (OL, South Florida), Devante Mays (RB, Utah State), Malachi Dupree (WR, LSU).
King is a prototypical modern NFL corner; long, tall, and physical. Jones is a versatile, physical athlete who can play any role in the secondary. Adams is a rotational guy and struggles as a rusher. Local boy Biegel is a solid depth player who could become a starter. Williams is the physical back that Green Bay needs, while Jones is a big play threat as a runner or receiver. Mays provides depth. Yancey can be a vertical threat and special teams player.
Minnesota Vikings: B
Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida State), Pat Elfein (C, Ohio State), Jahleel Johnson (DT, Iowa), Ben Gedeon (ILB, Michigan), Rodney Adams (WR, South Florida), Danny Isidora (G, Miami), Bucky Hodges (TE, Virginia Tech), Stacy Coley (WR, Miami), Ifeadi Odenigbo (DL, Northwestern), Elijah Lee (LB, Kansas State), Jack Tocho (CB, NC State).
Dalvin Cook is a perfect fit for coordinator Pat Shurmur’s offense, if he can put his past off-field issues behind him. Elfein isn’t athletic, but is one of the best technicians in the class and can be a multi-year starter at multiple positions. Johnson adds another run-stuffer to the defensive line rotation. Adams adds another deep threat to the offense alongside Stefon Diggs, while Hodges fell due to deficiencies in technique, but he can be a potent red zone weapon. Lee adds much needed speed to the linebacker corps but will start as a special teamer.
