One of the best divisions in football, the NFC North entered the draft with all four teams picking in the back half of the first round. Each had clear positional needs, and it quickly became apparent which teams prioritized filling them.
For the most part, these classes fall into the middle tier, with a mix of targeted selections and questionable reaches. One team, however, should be embarrassed as they walked away with a draft that I believe was the worst of the entire weekend.
Here’s a deeper dive into the NFC North.
Detroit Lions
Round 1 (No. 17): OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Round 2 (No. 44): EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan
Round 4 (No. 118): LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
Round 5 (No. 157): CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State
Round 5 (No. 168): WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky
Round 6 (No. 205): DT Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech
Round 7 (No. 222): DT Tyre West, Tennessee
The Lions leaned heavily into drafting for need, with mixed results that were at least partially dictated by how the board fell.
Blake Miller likely was not their top choice at tackle, and even if he was, Detroit may have preferred to trade down before selecting him. When three tackles came off the board in the top 12, they were forced to act. Miller is a steady option who can step in right away and could eventually push Sewell to left tackle.
Detroit addressed its pass rush in the second round with Moore, who should contribute in a rotational role early. The same goes for Jimmy Rolder, another in-state addition. While he brings energy and pass rush ability, his limitations against the run raise questions about his long-term role and whether trading up was justified.
Keith Abney II falling to the fifth round could end up as one of the better value picks in this class. His lack of size was a major reason for the slide, but his quickness and coverage ability stand out, giving him a chance to significantly outperform his draft position.
Grade: B
Chicago Bears
Round 1 (No. 25): S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Round 2 (No. 57): C Logan Jones, Iowa
Round 3 (No. 69): TE Sam Roush, Stanford
Round 3 (No. 89): WR Zavion Thomas, LSU
Round 4 (No. 124): CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
Round 5 (No. 166): LB Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
Round 6 (No. 213): DT Jordan Van Den Berg, Georgia Tech
It can be frustrating to see a team start a draft strong before it unravels in the later rounds. That’s the case for Chicago. The early returns are solid, but the overall class is lacking.
Dillon Thieneman is one of the better first-round picks, and his fall to No. 25 says a lot about how uneven positional priorities can be around the league. He offers versatility as a safety, capable of playing deep or in the box, and pairs strong tackling with reliable coverage ability. He should step in as an immediate contributor with a direct path to a starting role.
Logan Jones may not open the season as a starter, but he will push for that role quickly. Whether he can overtake Bradbury remains to be seen, but the Iowa product fits the mold of pro-ready offensive linemen the program consistently produces.
After those two selections, this haul drops off quickly. Roush profiles as a blocking tight end with limited opportunity behind an already crowded room. Thomas brings speed, but the value is questionable given other receivers still available at that point. Muhammad was a decent fourth-round addition, while Elliott and Van Den Berg project more as depth pieces.
Grade: B-
Green Bay Packers
Round 2 (No. 52): CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Round 3 (No. 77): DT Chris McClellan, Missouri
Round 4 (No. 120): EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Round 5 (No. 153): C Jager Burton, Kentucky
Round 6 (No. 201): CB Domani Jackson, Alabama
Round 6 (No. 216): K Trey Smack, Florida
Is it crazy to say the Packers’ best selection came in the sixth round with a kicker?
Of course, this class has to be viewed through the lens of the Micah Parsons trade, which cost Green Bay its first-round pick this year. That move alone bumps up this grade. Beyond that, I really like the Brandon Cisse decision in the second round. He may not start immediately, but he has the ability to hold his own in coverage, even if he is not a high-turnover player.
McClellan and Burton do not add much immediate impact, though Dennis-Sutton has some upside as a pass rusher after his production at Penn State. Still, the most pressing need may have been at kicker after last season’s struggles. Smack brings both power and accuracy and has three years of starting experience, giving him a legitimate chance to win the job in camp.
There was only so much Green Bay could do without a first-round pick, but the Parsons addition helps elevate the overall outlook of this class.
Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 (No. 18): DT Caleb Banks, Florida
Round 2 (No. 51): LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
Round 3 (No. 82): DT Domonique Orange, Iowa State
Round 3 (No. 97): OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
Round 3 (No. 98): S JaKobe Thomas, Miami
Round 5 (No. 159): FB Max Bredeson, Michigan
Round 5 (No. 163): CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
Round 6 (No. 198): RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
Round 7 (No. 235): C Gavin Gerhardt, Cincinnati
The Vikings fired their GM, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, during the offseason, largely due to concerns about talent evaluation. Based on this class, the early returns from the new regime are not especially encouraging.
Caleb Banks at No. 18 stands out as a genuine headscratcher. He struggled to consistently produce at Florida and dealt with significant foot injuries. That combination raises concerns, particularly for a player of his size, where durability becomes even more critical. Minnesota is betting heavily on upside rather than proven performance.
Golday offers slightly more promise. He has improved each season and brings developmental upside at linebacker. Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange is another decent addition, potentially providing a true nose tackle presence who could handle early-down work and help stabilize the run defense.
After that, the selections were strange at best, and in many cases downright terrible. Tiernan t will likely struggle to find playing time behind established starters. Thomas addresses a need on paper with Harrison Smith’s departure, but was taken way too early. Sixth-round pick Claiborne could add return ability, but there are serious concerns about ball security which will likely limit his role.
This was by far the worst draft in the division, and quite possibly the entire league.
Grade: D
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