Discussion of First Round Possibilities NFC North

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Chicago Bears don't have a first round selection
Detroit Lions hold the 2nd & 32nd selections
Green Bay Packers hold the 22nd & 28th selections
Minnesota Vikings hold the 12th selection

Will the Chicago Bears try to trade back in to the first round either with future draft picks or a player?
Do the Detroit Lions focus on QB early with the 2nd overall pick? Travon Walker, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Aidan Hutchinson and/or Malik Willis with No. 2?
Do the Green Bay Packers replace Davante Adams with one or both first round picks? Jahan Dotson, Christian Watson, George Pickens, John Metchie all options?
Do the Minnesota Vikings get an EDGE early or grab an IOL with the 12th pick? Tyler Linderbaum, Kenyon Green, George Karlaftis, Jermaine Johnson?

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Chicago Bears
2022 Draft Picks
Round 2: Nos. 39, 48 (from Chargers) overall
Round 3: No. 71
Round 5: Nos. 148 (from Texans), 150
Round 6: No. 186

Team needs
To no one’s surprise, the Bears allowed several aging veterans to depart in 2022. Akiem Hicks, Jason Peters, Allen Robinson, and several other key starters from the past season walked in free agency, and more moves of that variety could follow. In a slightly less predictable fashion, the team traded Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for draft picks, including the 48th overall selection this year. Now, Chicago has huge holes all over the roster.

Offense
The Bears’ quarterbacks spent most of the 2021 season working under duress thanks to an injured and leaky offensive line. Peters and former second-round pick James Daniels have departed, leaving several spots vacant along the unit. Second-year pros Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom will each get chances to start, but the front office will also have to find more talent in the upcoming draft, especially with Terron Armstead unlikely to land in Chicago at this stage. In the receiving corps, Robinson’s departure leaves Fields without a clear No. 1 receiver. Darnell Mooney will factor into the equation, but the team needs to add multiple pieces to give the young signal-caller reliable options.

Defense
The Bears have some key spots filled in Eberflus’ new scheme. Roquan Smith looks like an ideal fit for the Darius Leonard role at weakside linebacker, and Robert Quinn should generate some pressure off the edge. Still, a pass-rushing three-tech remains paramount, and Poles’ first attempt to find one — free-agent defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi — failed his physical and did not sign with the team, at least for now. Justin Jones arrived shortly thereafter to help, but he provides a boost to the run defense more than anything else.

Dream first pick
George Pickens, WR — Georgia
Mooney can take the top off a defense, but a bigger-bodied receiver would help in an offense that likes to attack over the middle. Pickens offers that size and more, giving the Bears someone who could eventually develop into a No. 1 wideout.

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Detroit Lions
2022 Draft Picks
Round 1: Nos. 2, 32 (from Rams) overall
Round 2: No. 34
Round 3: Nos. 66, 97
Round 5: No. 177
Round 6: Nos. 181, 217
Round 7: No. 234 (from Browns)

Team needs
Offense
The Lions are eventually going to need a quarterback, however, it's unlikely that they do that this season. The QB class is mediocre at best and Jared Goff is a solid bridge QB that can get them a couple solid years. They hit on last season’s first-round pick in Penei Sewell, but need at least one more solid OL pick to have an NFL-ready front five.

Defense
The entire secondary is a bit of a mess and the unit desperately needs an edge rusher to pressure the opposing quarterback. Those are probably the two biggest needs on the team as a whole, not just on the defense. They could also use a linebacker too.

Dream first pick
Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
With the second overall pick and all the positional needs they have, Detroit is all but certain to have somebody come in and make an immediate impact. They’re most likely going to go defense here and there are several good options. But defensive end Hutchenson from Michigan would probably be the overall dream pick. If he goes first overall, the team should nab Kayvon Thibodeaux a LB from Oregon. Either would be slam dunk selections.

Dream second pick
Desmond Ridder, QB Cincinnati
Detroit will be back on the clock with the second selection of Round 2, but it can first get the valuable fifth-year option on a quarterback here with the final pick of Round 1. Jared Goff is under contract through 2024, but his contract structure allows the Lions to move on after this season, if they wish," McShay explains. "Ridder isn't a sure thing, and he has too many ball-location misses, but his strong arm, good mobility and high-end ability to read the field make him an intriguing pick to cap off Day 1.

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Green Bay Packers
2022 Draft Picks
Round 1: Nos. 22 (from Raiders), 28 overall
Round 2: Nos. 53 (from Raiders), 59
Round 3: No. 92
Round 4: Nos. 132, 140
Round 5: No. 171
Round 7: Nos. 228 (from Bears through Texans), 249, 258

Team needs
Following the departure of Adams and, at least for now, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the Packers find themselves in dire need of help at wideout. Most of the top free agents at the position have already joined other clubs, leaving the Packers to sign a more limited veteran, explore the trade market, and add some talent in the draft. Outside of receiver, Green Bay needs to address a defensive line that features star nose tackle Kenny Clark and little else. The offensive line could also use some depth, though the need ranks below the others.

Offense
Will the Packers add a veteran starter at wideout? Already, big names like Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, and Mike Williams have come off the market for one reason or another. Julio Jones remains available, but his ability to contribute has diminished with time as has his body (14 games lost over the past two seasons). Valdes-Scantling remains unsigned and would provide Green Bay with an ascending player Rodgers already knows, but he alone won’t fill the void left by Adams.

Defense
After re-signing De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas, the Packers have few obvious holes on defense. While they cut Za’Darius Smith to save salary-cap space, he only contributed 18 snaps during the 2021 regular season. With Jaire Alexander returning to full health, the secondary has everything required to put a roof over opposing passing games. Still, Green Bay needs to give Clark some help up front.

Dream first pick
Drake London, WR, USC
No wideout can realistically fill Adams’ shoes as a rookie. However, London offers impressive size (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) and athleticism and could realistically handle some of Adams’ vacated duties in the red zone. Combined with some veteran assistance, he could help surround Rodgers with a capable receiving corps.

Dream second pick
George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has drafted five first-round picks since taking over in 2018. Four of the five were 21 years old; three of the five had a RAS of 9.0 or higher. All five were either 22 years old or younger with a RAS of 8.0 or higher. Pickens fits the age and athleticism tendencies.

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Minnesota Vikings
2022 NFL Draft
Round 1: No. 12
Round 2: No. 46
Round 3: No. 77
Round 5: No. 156 (Via Baltimore Ravens)
Round 6: No. 184 (Via New York Jets)
Round 6: No. 191 (Via Baltimore Ravens)
Round 6: No. 192
Round 7: No. 251 (Via San Francisco 49ers)

Team Needs
Offense
Coach O’Connell recently spoke to having four out of five offensive line starters filled in, but that was before Chris Reed signed.

Defense
Getting defensive coordinator Ed Donatell more pieces to fit his 3-4 base alignment while filling out the secondary also has to be included.

Dream first pick
Pairing Gardner and Dantzler would give Minnesota a productive young tandem they could build around. It might even become one of the league’s best if both reach their respective targets in the coming years.

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