Vikings – B- 1 starter, 1 sleeper, added players at need positions
The Vikings selected DT Caleb Banks (Florida) who is a true boom or bust player with a very high upside as an interior rusher and run stopper, but high injury risk, but the Vikings have a big need after releasing both veteran starters. 2nd round LB Jake Golday (Cincinnati) was viewed as a sleeper as a strong downhill run stopping LB with good awareness and improving pass rush; he has starter potential at MLB. 3rd round DT Dominique Orange (Iowa State) is a big NT who will be asked to take on double teams and stop the run; he should be in the rotation based on need. T Caleb Tiernan (Northwestern) is a big, experienced LT with good strength and technique, but he may need to move inside due to arm length. S Jakobe Thomas (Miami) is an aggressive playmaker with good hands and a willing tackler, but he needs to improve his awareness and deep coverage. 5th round pick FB Max Bredeson (Michigan) is a former TE with experience at FB as a tough, strong player with high leadership, but he lacks length and doesn’t catch the ball. CB Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin) is a lanky CB with good size, speed, and a nose for the football, but he needs to add strength and improve his tackling. 6th round pick RB Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest) is an undersized speed back who can break runs, but he needs to add strength, and he is limited in the pass game. 7th round pick C Gavin Gerhardt (Cincinnati) will need to earn a spot.
Bears – C+ 1 starter, added depth, 1 possible sleeper
The Bears selected S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) who impressed at the NFL Combine showing his athleticism as an experienced starter and enforcer with good size, speed, and playmaking; he will likely start at SS. 2nd round C Logan Jones (Iowa) is a tough, undersized, experienced player with potential, but he is an older prospect who lacks length. 3rd round TE Sam Roush (Stanford) is a big blocking TE with Special Teams experience, he has #2 TE potential as a blocker, but needs to improve his pass catching. WR Zavion Thomas (LSU) is an undersized elite speed WR and downfield threat who makes his impact in the return game. 4th round CB Malik Muhammad (Texas) is a lanky defender with good speed, coverage, and NFL genes, but he needs to add weight/strength to his frame; he has potential and inside/outside versatility. 5th round LB Keyshaun Elliott (Arizona State) is an undersized MLB with good pass rush production and volume tackling, but he lacks top speed and needs to improve against the run and in coverage; he will provide depth. 6th round DT Jordan Van Den Berg (Georgia Tech) is a raw former Rugby player who with good size, strength, and mobility; he will need to earn his spot.
Lions – B Strong start with a starter, players with potential at need positions, didn’t finish strong
The Lions selected underrated RT Blake Miller (Clemson) who has a proven record of durability and strong production at the position where he will likely be the starter. 2nd round Edge Derrick Moore (Michigan) is a strong improving pass rusher with good size and production to be a full-time starter once he improves his run stopping. 4th round LB Jimmy Rolder (Michigan) is an instinctive downhill run stopper who plays with a high-motor and good technique, but he is a 1yr starter with a lot of Special Teams experience; he has potential. 5th round CB Keith Abney II (Arizona State) is an aggressive undersized Nickel CB with a nose for the football, but he needs to clean up his penalties. WR Kendrick Law (Kentucky) is a tough WR with good playmaking in space and can even run the ball, but he has limited production outside of returner. 6th round pick DT Skyler Gill-Howard (Texas Tech) and 7th round pick DT Tyre West (Tenneesse) are very undersized lineman who offer pass rush up the middle but may need to earn a spot.
Packers – C Value pick and added depth at need positions
The Packers didn’t have a 1st round pick after the Micah Parsons trade, they, selected CB Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) who was considered a late 1st round talent as a physical willing run stopper with good size and speed, but he needs to clean up his technique; he has starter potential. 3rd round pick DT Chris McClellan (Missouri) is a quick, high motor lineman with good size and improving pass rush, but he needs to improve his technique; he should be in the rotation. 4th round Edge/DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State) is a strong player with good size, run stopping, and pass rush production, but he needs to improve his technique and is believed to have limited potential, but he should provide depth. 5th round C Jager Burton (Kentucky) is an experienced lineman with Guard versatility and good size; he has potential to be a starting Center if he can improve his run blocking and technique. 6th round CB Domani Jackson (Alabama) has good size, speed, and hit power, but he needs to improve his awareness and run coverage; he may need to earn his spot. K Trey Smack (Florida) is an accurate, consistent kicker with a strong leg on kickoffs, but he has had the occasional mistake; he will need to compete for the job.
