2018 NFL Draft: Grading the NFC North
We all know the Chicago Bears front office and fan base feel good about their 2018 NFL draft. How did the division rivals do?
With the conclusion of the 2018 NFL draft comes grading season. Of course, I know, none of us will understand how this draft played out for another 3-4 seasons. Still, it is worth thinking about just what some of our division opponents are looking like next season. We are competing for the division now, after all. Still, the division is fierce. How did they fare?
Green Bay Packers
Jaire Alexander, CB
Joshua Jackson, CB
Oren Burks, LB
J’Mon Moore, WR
Cole Madson, OT
JK Scott, P
Maurquez Valdez-Scanting, WR
Edquanimeous St. Brown, WR
James Looney, DT
Hunter Bradley, LS
Kendall Donnerson, OLB
The Green Bay Packers built up their exteriors. In cornerbacks Josh Jackson and Jaire Alexander they have two athletic ball hawks who can jump out of the gym. Alexander is a bit undersized but can move inside and out.
On top of that 3, count them, 3 wide receivers all measuring at least 6’4″ in height. They added Jimmy Graham and want even more red zone help. Oren Burks may also see the field given some of the injuries and issues that Green Bay has had in the middle.
Considering the team re-signed Tramon Williams to beef up competition at cornerback, they may have just added two starters with Alexander seeing slot time and Jackson sliding across from Kevin King. They hit a huge need hard, but a punter, long snapper and a couple of project players late does not put in on Chicago’s level.
Grade: B
Detroit Lions
Frank Ragnow, C
Kerryon Johnson, RB
Tracy Walker, S
Da’Shawn Hand, DE
Tyrell Crosby, OT
Nick Bawden, FB
The Lions want to try to establish some sort of run game. After investing in the draft and free agency on the offensive line they are hoping to solidify it with Ragnow, who should be a plug and play center. Johnson is a patient running back who stylistically draws comparisons to Le’Veon Bell. Walker can play nickel and deep safety and Hand joins former teammate at Alabama, A’Shawn Robinson. Crosby is a tackle who may be looking to move to guard where a quicker path to playing time lies.
The Lions added a lot of players who can step in next year. They did not hit high impact spots, but rather touched up their lineup. It was strong, but not overly impressive.
Grade: B
Minnesota Vikings
Mike Hughes, CB
Brian O’Neil, OT
Jaylyn Holmes, EDGE
Tyler Conklin, TE
Daniel Carson, K
Colby Gossett, G
Ade Aruna, EDGE
Devante Downs, CB
Hughes will join Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes as former first round picks at cornerback. He will likely start in the slot, but with Mackensie Alexander, this is also insurance protection for the up and down Waynes on the outside.
O’Neil is a project at tackle and is reminiscent of T.J. Clemmings, another Pitt product drafted by the Vikings. Holmes is an interior third down pass rusher, and Aruna is a high upside bet that we profiled for the Chicago Bears. Tyler Conklin was injured in 2017, but may have been a top tier tight end prospect in 2016. That could be a big hit and addition to the passing offense.
Adding in a player like Holton Hill as a UDFA is similar to Kevin Toliver and solidifies that between Chicago and Minnesota, these were the best classes. Still, they added a kicker too, like Green Bay. In fact, Green Bay and Minnesota are arguably closer as classes than Chicago, who clearly sits out in front.