2014 Draft Needs: NFC North By Kevin Weidl Blake Bortles Will Central Florida QB Blake Bortles be around long enough to land with the Minnesota Vikings? Were examining the NFC North in our division-by-division early breakdown of team needs. The Lions and Bears both faltered down the stretch, allowing the Packers to steal the division crown although they finished with just an 8-7-1 record. There will be a few new coaching regimes within the division in 2014, as both the Lions (Jim Schwartz) and Vikings (Leslie Frazier) fired their head coaches. Here is a very early look at the position along with a few prospects that each team could be targeting as we get closer to this Mays draft. As usual, draft-eligible non-seniors are denoted with an asterisk. CHICAGO BEARS (8-8) Draft Position: No. 14 overall Needs: Defensive line, defensive back, guard/center Chicago has a strong need to infuse youth along the defensive front line. This unit was battered by injuries, which played a big part in the Bears holding league lows in rushing defense and sacks. DTs Henry Melton and Nate Collins were both placed on the IR in the first half of the season and are slated to be free agents. DT Jay Ratliff and DE Corey Wootton are also scheduled to be free agents while DT Stephen Paeas contract expires after next season. If he declares, Florida State DT Tim Jernigan has a nice combination of quickness, athleticism and power that would fit well within the Bears defensive scheme. Florida DT Dominique Easley could also be a consideration, however he maybe a reach this early because of durability concerns. Easley suffered he second season-ending knee injury (ACL) last fall. If electing to wait until Day 2 to address the position, Pitts Aaron Donald, LSUs Anthony Johnson and Arizona States Will Sutton would be good fits in this range. General manager Phil Emery also may elect to look for a defensive end to help upgrade the pass rush. South Carolinas Jadeveon Clowney and UCLAs Anthony Barr will likely be off the board. However, Missouris Kony Ealy could be a name to watch. We still need to update his evaluation, but after a strong finish to the season Ealy could see his stock rise as we get more into the draft process. The Bears also will be in the market to add youth and depth in the secondary. CB Charles Tillman was placed on the IR with a torn triceps, and there are questions whether the soon-to-be 33-year-old free agent will be brought back. In addition, Emery will need to make decisions on CB Zack Bowman and SS Major Wright who also are set to be free agents while FS Chris Conte will hit the market in 2015. Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert could be an option at No. 14 overall. Gilbert has an ideal combination of size, playmaking ability and there has been rumblings from scouts that he also may have the versatility to line up at safety at the next level if need be. Alabamas Ha Ha Clinton-Dix should also be in the mix at this point as well. If the Bears wait until Day 2, Florida State DS/CB Lamarcus Joyner, Florida CB Loucheiz Purifoy and TCU CB Jason Verrett would be strong fits. Finally, the Bears may also elect to address in the interior offensive line at some point even after taking OG Kyle Long in the first round last year. Center Roberto Garza will be a free agent, and versatile interior reserve lineman Taylor Boggs is a restricted free agent. Day 2 options could include USC center Marcus Martin or Penn State guard John Urschel, who brings strong versatility after lining up at guard and center in college. DL: Jernigan*, Easley*, Ealey*, Donald, Johnson*, Sutton, South Florida DE Aaron Lynch*, UNCs Kareem Martin DBs: Gilbert, Clinton-Dix*, Joyner, Purifoy*, Verrett, Virginia Tech DC Kyle Fuller, Kansas State DS Ty Zimmerman OL: Martin*, Urschel, Mississippi State OG Gabe Jackson, Arkansas OC Travis Swanson DETROIT LIONS (7-9) Draft Position: No. 10 overall Needs: Cornerback, wide receiver, weakside linebacker After letting Schwartz go after five seasons as head coach, the Lions next coaching staff and scheme will play a part in which direction the Detroit goes in the draft. One area they will likely address is the cornerback position. The Lions have used early picks on the position the past two years but have still struggled to find consistency defending the pass outside the hashes. In addition, CB Rashean Mathis is slated to be a free agent after signing a one-year deal this past offseason. As mentioned earlier, its extremely early in the process, but there doesnt appear to be an elite cornerback in this years class. Gilbert is currently rated as our top cornerback and at this point would be the only prospect worth considering here. The Lions will have plenty of options on early Day 2 where Michigan States Darqueze Dennard, Purifoy and fellow Florida teammate Marcus Roberson could all be in the mix. Detroit may also be in the market to find another playmaking receiver to take some attention from Calvin Johnson. If sitting at the No. 10 spot with Clemsons Sammy Watkins still on the board, general manager Martin Mayhew will likely take a strong look at pulling the trigger. Watkins, teamed up next to Johnson, would instantly make the Lions one of the more dangerous duos in the league. USCs Marqise Lee and even Texas A&Ms Mike Evans could also be in the mix here. While Lee needs to get stronger and comes with some durability issues, Lees speed and big play ability will be intriguing as we get closer to May. Finally, the Lions may look to find another playmaking linebacker. Buffalos Khalil Mack would be an ideal fit at No. 10 with his versatility. Alabamas C.J. Mosley will also be in the mix, while Florida States Telvin Smith could be a viable option at the weak side position on Day 2. CBs: Gilbert, Dennard, Purifoy*, Roberson, Oklahomas Aaron Colvin, Virginia Techs Antone Exum, Floridas Jaylen Watkins WRs: Watkins*, Lee*, Evans*, Oregon States Brandin Cooks*, LSUs Odell Beckham Jr., Texas Mike Davis, UCLAs Shaq Evans LBs: Mack, Mosley, Smith, Michigan States Denicos Allen, UCLAs Jordan Zumwalt GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-7-1) Draft Position: No. 21 overall Needs: Tight end, safety, defensive tackle TE Jermichael Finleys future is in major doubt after he suffered a neck injury that required spinal fusion surgery. In addition, Finley and his replacement, Andrew Quarless, are both scheduled to be free agents. That said, Green Bay will likely be in the market for an athletic pass-catching tight end. This tight end class is strong at the top, which includes UNCs Eric Ebron, Texas Techs Jace Amaro and Washingtons Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who all could be in the mid-to-late first round mix. General manager Ted Thompson may also look to address the safety position. Green Bay held the 24th-ranked pass defense and struggled to manufacture turnovers coming up with just 11 interceptions this past year. FS M.D. Jennings is scheduled to be a restricted free agent, and adding another playmaking safety to the mix with SS Morgan Burnett to help improve the back end makes sense here. Clinton-Dix could be a viable option where the Packers are selecting if not Florida States Terrence Brooks or Stanfords Ed Reynolds would be solid fits in the mid-rounds. The Packers also had leakage defending the run this season, surrendering 120 yards per game (25th overall). On top of that, they have a lot guys with size up front who are scheduled to be free agents, including DTs B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, and reserve DE C.J. Wilson. There are reports that the Packers offered a Raji a long-term deal worth around $8-million a year, but Raji did not sign and may test the waters as a free agent. Thompson selected DE Datone Jones in the first round last year however there may be a need to add another massive run defender along the front line. Notre Dame DT Louis Nix III is an intriguing name and solid fit here. After an impressive 2012 season, Nix battled a knee injury for much of his senior season and his performance level dropped off a bit as a result. Coming into the season, Nix was heralded as a top-10 pick, but there is a chance he could still be on the board when the Packers are selecting. If the Packers elect to wait until later, Penn State DT Daquan Jones, Tennessee DT Dan McCullers and Connecticuts Shamar Stephen could all be in the mix in the Day 2 range. TEs: Ebron*, Amaro*, Seferian-Jenkins*, Fresno States Marcel Jensen, Oregons Colt Lyerla* Safeties: Clinton-Dix*, Brooks, Reynolds, Northern Illinois Jimmie Ward DTs: Nix, Jones, McCullers, Stephens, Wisconsins Beau Allen MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-10-1) Draft Position: No. 8 overall Needs: Quarterback, defense end, guard Similar to the Lions, the Vikings are in search of new coaching staff after parting ways with Frazier after the season. Whoever replaces Frazier will likely be looking to find a quarterback. Matt Cassel, a 2013 free-agent signing, played well down the stretch, but inconsistencies have plagued the Vikings at the position the past few years and there is a need to upgrade is there. The Vikings maybe in a tough spot if looking for a quarterback in the first round as four of the seven teams drafting in front of them have a strong need at the quarterback position. At this point there doesnt appear to be an elite quarterback prospect in this class; however, there is a strong possibility that Louisvilles Teddy Bridgewater, Central Floridas Blake Bortles and Texas A&Ms Johnny Manziel could all be off the board. General manager Rick Spielman will likely have to package picks and attempt to move up if he wants to target one of those three or make the decision if another quarterback like Fresno States Derek Carr is worth reaching for at this point. Spielman could also elect to go another direction and wait until Day 2 to address the position where Carr, Alabamas AJ McCarron and LSUs Zach Mettenberger could all be options. The Vikings also may have a strong need at the defensive end position. DE Jared Allen, who had another strong year but turns 32 in April, is slated to be a free agent, and there are big questions on whether he will return. In addition, his backup, Everson Griffen, is also scheduled to be a free agent. The two accounted for a combined 17 sacks, meaning Spielman could be looking for pass rush with the position. UCLA DE/OLB Anthony Barr isnt an ideal fit as a 4-3 defensive end but also has the athleticism to line up as a strongside linebacker. More importantly, though, he has the explosiveness, length and closing burst as a pass rusher to bring strong return as a value pick at No. 8 overall. Finally, Minnesota will likely address the interior offensive line at some point, particularly at the guard position. OG Charlie Johnson is an unrestricted free agent, and Spielman will need to make a decision on him. The Vikings drafted Jeff Baca out of UCLA in the sixth round last year. Baca appeared in four games as a rookie, and his development will play a big role on where Spielman could address the position in the draft. UCLAs Xavier Sua-Filo, Baylors Cyril Richardson and Stanfords David Yankey would all be viable option in the Day 2 range, while Tennessees Zach Fulton could be a fit later on in Day 3. QBs: Bridgewater, Bortles, Manziel, Carr, McCarron, Mettenberger, Clemsons Tajh Boyd, DEs: Barr, Missouris Kony Ealy*, Oregon States Scott Crichton*, UNCs Kareem Martin, Virginia Techs James Gayle OGs: Sua-Filo*, Richardson, Yankey, Fulton, Alabamas Anthony Steen, Miamis Brandon Linder
Posted on: Fri, 10 Jan 2014 04:04:47 +0000
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