NFC North Free Agency Grades
With most of the big names off the market, free agency is fading as the Draft draws nearer. We’ve already covered each team’s five biggest free agency moves, but now it’s time to grade their efforts. Who filled their needs? Who got the best value and who overpaid? Here are the free agency grades for the NFC North:
The NFC North is another tough division to figure out. The Vikings started 5–0 but faded due to injuries. The Lions nabbed a wild card spot, while the Packers rallied behind Aaron Rodgers to win the division. Chicago has a growing roster but is too far away to contend. The Packers don’t have a stranglehold on the division, so expect a close fight with Minnesota and Detroit.
Chicago Bears — B
Key additions: QB Mike Glennon, S Quintin Demps, CB Prince Amukamara
Key departures: WR Alshon Jeffery, QB Jay Cutler, QB Brian Hoyer
The Jay Cutler era is over, and former Buccaneers backup Mike Glennon takes the reigns. Glennon is a relative unknown, and the Bears no longer have a true number one receiver like Alshon Jeffery on the roster. Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright have been disappointments, and will look to revitalise their careers with Glennon. The secondary is much improved, with cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper as well as safety Quintin Demps bolstering the unit. Other than Jeffery, Chicago didn’t lose any irreplaceable players.
Detroit Lions — B
Key additions: RT Ricky Wagner, G T.J. Lang, LB Paul Worrilow
Key departures: LT Riley Reiff, G Larry Warford, LB DeAndre Levy
The Lions revamped their offensive line by adding former Raven Ricky Wagner and former Packer T.J. Lang while letting Riley Reiff and Larry Warford walk. The line should be much improved, which should also help Detroit’s dire running game. Injury-prone linebacker DeAndre Levy is gone, replaced by former Falcon Paul Worrilow, who has been a starter and is a solid player. D.J. Hayden joins Darius Slay in the secondary, and it will be up to defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to unlock the former Raiders’ potential. Although some depth is gone, the Lions should be better this year with a good Draft.
Green Bay Packers — C
Key additions: TE Martellus Bennett, TE Lance Kendricks, DT Ricky Jean Francois
Key departures: G T.J. Lang, RB Eddie Lacy, CB Micah Hyde
General manager Ted Thompson is rarely active in free agency and often lets players walk. Although the Packers signed Martellus Bennett to give Aaron Rodgers his best tight end since Jermichael Finley, they lost Eddie Lacy along with several defensive starters, including most of their secondary. Guard T.J. Lang will also be missed in the run game. While they re-signed breakout pass rusher Nick Perry, Datone Jones is gone. Former Redskin Ricky Jean Francois will attempt to bolster the front seven. Once again, the Packers will be relying on a good Draft.
Minnesota Vikings — B
Key additions: LT Riley Reiff, RT Mike Remmers, RB Latavius Murray
Key departures: RB Adrian Peterson, LT Matt Kalil, WR Cordarrelle Patterson
The Vikings needed to improve their offensive line, and managed to do so by replacing Matt Kalil and Andre Smith with Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers. But long-time franchise icon Adrian Peterson is gone, replaced by former Raiders running back Latavius Murray. While Murray isn’t as talented as Peterson was, he is a better fit for the offense that coordinator Pat Shurmur is installing around quarterback Sam Bradford. The Cordarrelle Patterson experiment is over, as he became expendable with the emergence of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, who was re-signed. Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn is also gone, while veteran Terence Newman returns.
