NFC North Draft Review

On the menu today: a hefty dose of the NFC North. Shaken by the loss of a legend, this division could be either very competitive, or owned by the Pack again.

Chicago Bears (2007 record: 7-9)
Number of picks: 12
Best pick: RB Matt Forte (44th overall)
Sleeper Watch: WR Marcus Monk (248th overall)
Analysis: The Bears had a tonne of needs, so they stockpiled a tonne of picks. In the first round they selected OT Chris Williams from Vandy. This was a great pick, as the Bear's line is aging, and Williams will provide some youth. In Forte they finally get some solid competition for incumbent starter Cedric Benson. Forte has the size and abilities to get it done on every down, so Benson had better watch his back. In round three, they selected WR Earl Bennett. The Bears have lacked big play receivers in the past, and they get a great find in Bennett. Monk could be a steal at the 248th pick. (For those who don't remember, a guy by the name of Marques Colston was selected at 252). Monk is 6'4 and could be a major red-zone threat right away. Another sleeper could be fifth round pick TE Kellen Davis. Davis played both TE and DE in college, and has the speed (4.59 40) and size (6'7, 262) to be effective at either position in the NFL. The Bears also selected two defensive linemane, two more offensive lineman, a safety and a linebacker.
Grade: A-

Detroit Lions (2007 record: 7-9)
Number of picks: 9
Best pick: OT Gosder Cherilus (17th overall)
Sleeper Watch: WR Kenneth Moore (136th overall)
Analysis: The Lions did a lot to improve their team, but didn't select any big name, flashy players. In Cherilus they get a hulking lineman that can start from day one, and should help to keep Jon Kitna standing a bit more. In the second round they took the relative unknown LB Jordan Dizon from Colorado. Despite his size limitations (6'0, 229) he averaged 13 tackles a game in college, and could gel right away with Ernie Sims. In the third round they went for a RB by the name of Kevin Smith. Smith was productive in college, and should provide a nice complement for incumbent starter Tatum Bell. A defensive tackle and another linebacker later they selected Moore. Moore is versatile, as he played RB in his senior year, and also brings his speed to the return game. The Lions have a good receiving corps, so he may only make the team as a special teams guy right away. After that, they took a fullback, a defensive end and a safety.
Grade: C+

Green Bay Packers (2007 record: 13-3)
Number of picks: 9
Best pick: QB Brian Brohm (56th overall)
Sleeper Watch: QB Matt Flynn (209th overall)
Analysis: Watch your back Mr. Rodgers. With the drafting of two QBs, the Packers must not be sure about Rodgers' skills. They traded out of the first round, an made WR Jordy Nelson their first choice. Nelson has good size (6'3) but joins a crowded bunch of receivers, and may struggle to get touches as a rookie. In Brohm, they get a safe pick, and some competition for Rodgers. Brohm excelled on a bad team last year, and his stock dropped due to the fact his team didn't make a bowl game. Flynn is an interesting choice, and could be merely a developmental pick, but you never know. With their third second round pick, the Pack addressed their aging secondary by selecting CB Patrick Lee. He has god size for a corner (6'0, 200) and could battle for playing time in nickel packages. In the third round, the Pack targeted another area of need, the tight end position by drafting Jermichael Finley. From there they drafted a defensive end, two offensive lineman and another wide receiver.
Grade: A

Minnesota Vikings (2007 record: 8-8)
Number of picks: 5
Best pick: S Tyrell Johnson (43rd overall)
Sleeper Watch: QB John David Booty (137th overall)
Analysis: With the trade for Jared Allen, the Vikes weren't very active on draft day. In fact, they only had one pick before round five. They used it, of course, on Johnson. They have had trouble at the safety position in reent years, and Johnson has the potential to be a force for a lot of years. In Booty, they get some insurance in case Tavaris Jackson doesn't pan out. Booty comes from a great program at USC, and was one of the most NFL-ready QBs in the draft. The Vikes made a great pick for the future in teh sixth round by selecting C John Sullivan. With Matt Birk getting up in years, Sullivan should be able to learn from him, and take over in the future. They also selected good DT depth in Letroy Guion. Guion didn't get many starts in college, and likely won't with the Vikes for at least a few years. They also drafted developmental WR Jaymar Johnson.
Grade: C

A few big name QBs went off the board in this division, but the team most thought would take a gunslinger (Bears) did not. Oh well, like I said, this division will likely be owned by the Packers again. On tap next is the NFC South.