NFL free agency has altered nearly every team’s draft plans for April’s draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the NFC North now having some unique names were haven’t seen attached to the division now being presented as options.
As always the NFC North holds the key to this entire NFL draft class. The Bears have their two top ten picks, the Vikings select 11th and 23rd after acquiring the Texans first-round pick to make things interesting for them. Rounding things out are the Packers and Lions picking up the slack on the back end after strong seasons.
The names attached to the division are most of which we have seen before but the Lions do have a new name added to the mix. Here is how Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft shook out for the NFC North.
Chicago Bears
Selections:
- Caleb Williams, Quarterback, USC
- Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Impact on Lions
Once again, the Caleb Williams pick has been analyzed countless times. Seeing Jared Verse enter the fold is something worth discussing. Verse joining the Bears alongside Montez Sweat would give them one of the best pass-rushing pairs in the entire NFL. For a team that faces so much offense within the division, this could be a major difference-maker type of pick.
Green Bay Packers
Selection:
- Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
Impact on Lions
Last year the Packers took developmental defensive end Lukas Van Ness, they now pair him with Laiatu Latu in Mel Kiper’s mock. Where the Bears have a high upside pairing with edge rushers, this would give the Packers two major questions with high upside. Van Ness is still developing and has a good chance to be something, same goes for Latu except he has a checkered medical history that could flare up at any time.
Minnesota Vikings
Selections:
- J.J. McCarthy, Quarterback, Michigan
- Cooper DeJean, Cornerback, Iowa
Impact on Lions
J.J. McCarthy is a popular mock draft selection for the Vikings, as is a cornerback. McCarthy is going to take some time to be a problem for the Lions but DeJean could start causing issues immediately. These selections are a dream scenario for the Vikings but it may be a down-the-road problem for the Lions versus an instant one.
Detroit Lions
Selection:
- Xavier Legette, Wide Receiver, South Carolina
Impact on Lions
Free agency has the Lions addressing every major hole they had on the roster. This allows for them to take the best player available at 29 now and I am not sure Legette is that. I like him as a receiver and he could be explosive for Jared Goff downfield but he could be available in round two. If they go Legette as they do in this mock, I would be okay with the pick due to its upside but not over-the-moon.