If you guys are anything like me, you are probably starved for some type of sports excitement at this point. While we are not going to see any action on the field, the 2020 NFL Draft should provide us with a lot to talk about over the course of the coming weekend. It’s always fun to see the strategy that each team employs when making their picks, and how the selections made early on can have a ripple effect that rolls all the way through to the seventh round. Every team is looking to improve with the picks that they make, although some will be content with taking on a couple of project players while others have holes that need to be filled immediately. The NFC North is home to teams on both sides of that equation, so let’s take a look at how those teams might tackle the 2020 NFL Draft and their odds.
NFC North Mock Draft For 2020 Draft
Green Bay Packers
When you close out the regular season with 13 wins and make it all the way to the NFC Championship Game, it’s pretty clear that you have a team that is on the brink of a Super Bowl. That is exactly where the Green Bay Packers are right now after a great first season with new head coach Matt LaFleur. There really aren’t a lot of holes that need to be filled in Green Bay, although they will likely be looking to add a couple of offensive weapons, including a TE to replace Jimmy Graham. The early rounds are probably going to be WR or TE picks for the Packers, with a slot corner on the wish list in the later rounds.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have bee a team that is close to making a big playoff impact over the past few seasons, but they have never quite been able to get over the hump. The fact that they signed Kirk Cousins to a big 2-year contract extension tells you that they still believe the window of opportunity to be open. The departure of Stefon Diggs means that there is now a gaping hole at WR, which they could fill with someone like Tee Higgins. The Vikings also need some help on the offensive line and would also love to get their hands on a shutdown corner, so look for those needs to be addressed in the opening rounds.
Chicago Bears
One of the biggest disappointments last season was the play of the Chicago Bears, a team that many thought would be challenging for an NFC North division title. While it was the poor play of QB Mitch Trubisky that got most of the headlines, the reality is that the Bears were poor all around on their way to an 8-8 record. Trubisky is still in the fold, but the addition of Nick Foles means that he is on a short leash. They also added Jimmy Graham at TE, but they will likely be looking at a WR with their first pick, which does not come until Round 2. A safety and a right corner seem like bigger needs, so it’ll be interesting to see what the Bears address first.
Detroit Lions
After going 3-12-1 last season, the Detroit Lions are the team in the North most in need of help. After trading Darius Slay, the feeling was that a CB would be the obvious first pick, but after landing Desmond Trufant, the Lions might be tempted to trade away their #3 pick. Then again, they may find it impossible to pass on a corner as talented as Jeff Okudah. Given that Matthew Stafford is coming off a brutal injury and looking as though his career is winding down, the Lions may also opt to go with a QB with their first pick.
