Identifying the biggest need for every NFC North team

theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering free agency.

AFC
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NFC
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Green Bay Packers

Biggest need: Cornerback

Other needs: Outside linebacker, wide receiver, running back

The Packers never make a splash in free agency, and they never will as long as Ted Thompson is general manager. However, the team does usually look to seek out one or two mid-tier free agents, and with a good cornerback class, Green Bay needs to dip into the market to bolster the unit.

In the NFC Championship Game loss to Atlanta, the Packers' weak secondary was continuously exposed by the Falcons' explosive passing attack. Green Bay was far from healthy, but that's no excuse to not make a move for a cornerback in free agency. They should also look to add more depth at pass-rusher with Julius Peppers, Nick Perry, and Datone Jones bound for free agency.

On the offensive side of the ball, Aaron Rodgers needs some more help. While Ty Montgomery was impressive in his switch to running back from wide receiver, the Packers need more backfield options. The same can be said of the receiving corps. Green Bay has Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, and Jordy Nelson, but the lack of another consistent option held the offense back.

Potential free-agent targets: The Packers aren't going to shell out $14 million a year to the likes to A.J. Bouye or Stephen Gilmore, that's just not how they operate. Instead, they could look at the next level of cornerbacks, such as Morris Claiborne or Prince Amukamara, who should be more affordable.

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Perry is a prime candidate to be re-signed, and Peppers might be open to a return. If the latter's price is too high, Green Bay could opt for another aging but effective edge rusher in DeMarcus Ware.

Again, the Packers will first look to re-sign their own running back, with Eddie Lacy set to hit free agency after two down seasons. If Lacy goes elsewhere, the Packers could look for a younger option in Jacquizz Rodgers - who's unlikely to demand a big deal - or attempt to get a complementary veteran guy like DeAngelo Williams.

Minnesota Vikings

Biggest need: Offensive tackle

Other needs: Guard, running back, cornerback

The Vikings dealt with arguably the NFL's worst offensive tackle play last season. Matt Kalil and Andre Smith - two options who didn't exactly inspire confidence - were quickly lost to injury, forcing Minnesota to start the likes of T.J. Clemmings and Jeremiah Sirles.

The offense was held back by this weakness which the Vikings need to address in order to help Sam Bradford and also reinvigorate one of the league's worst running games.

The work doesn't stop there on the offensive line. Center Joe Berger and left guard Alex Boone are solid players, but the Vikings could use some added depth in the interior of the unit.

The secondary was generally strong last season, but Captain Munnerlyn is a pending free agent and Terence Newman is no lock to return for his 15th season. Minnesota should look to add at least one starting-caliber cornerback.

At running back, it's assumed Adrian Peterson has played his last down for the franchise. Barring a huge renegotiation, the Vikings will be looking for a running back.

Potential free-agent targets: The offensive tackle market is not good. The Vikings could target Andrew Whitworth, but it would be difficult to pry the 35-year-old away from the Cincinnati Bengals and he'd only be a one- or two-year fix. The other top available left tackles all have question marks, so the Vikings could look to re-sign Matt Kalil on a cheap deal, while adding a top-tier right tackle like Ricky Wagner, who is a solid all-around player.

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Stefen Wisniewski's versatility means he could be a great depth add for the offensive line, and the likes of Darius Butler, Marcus Cooper, or Leon Hall might be targets for backup roles in the secondary.

It would best for the Vikings to get their new starting running back in the draft, but if they do want to go down the veteran route, Latavius Murray is the most well-rounded option and shouldn't require a massive contract.

Detroit Lions

Biggest need: Defensive end

Other needs: Tight end, inside linebacker, defensive tackle

The Lions had the third-fewest sacks in the NFL last season, so they can't fail to add an edge rusher or two this offseason. Ezekiel Ansah regressed in 2016 after looking like he was ascending to stardom over the past year. He's still a solid starter, but the Lions needs to find another defensive end to pair with him. Kerry Hyder burst onto the scene with an eight-sack season in his second season, however, he's probably best suited to being the third edge player in a rotation.

Eric Ebron is locked in as the starting tight end, as are A'Shawn Robinson and Haloti Ngata at defensive tackle, but both positions need a serious influx of depth and talent.

At inside linebacker, DeAndre Levy's injury concerns mean the Lions would be naive to rely on him as a starter in 2017, while Tahir Whitehead is a below-average player who should be a backup.

Potential free-agent targets: Since the Lions need to pay Ansah after this season, they might be reluctant to invest so much at one position.

Jabaal Sheard or perhaps Nick Perry (who could transition from 3-4 OLB to 4-3 DE) are affordable options.

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The tight end market is weak, but several decent veterans like Jacob Tamme and Jermaine Gresham would provide Detroit with adequate depth behind Ebron.

At inside linebacker, Malcolm Smith, Mant'i Teo, or Kevin Minter could be signed to mid-level contracts as a replacement for Whitehead or as cover for Levy.

Chicago Bears

Biggest need: Quarterback

Other needs: Cornerback, wide receiver, offensive tackle

Jay Cutler is reportedly being shopped, and once he's traded, the Bears will have a glaring need under center. They could look to add a big-name veteran via free agency or trade, but even if they opt to use their first-round pick on a quarterback, they'll still need another body.

Kyle Fuller missed all of 2016 due to a knee injury and Tracy Porter had a substandard campaign. The Bears have several intriguing young cornerbacks, but they need a star player to help push this defense along.

If Alshon Jeffery is allowed to test the open market, the Bears could be priced out of contention for his services. Jeffery's loss would mean Chicago not only needs to find a new No. 1 option, but add depth, too.

Charles Leno and Bobbie Massie played solidly in 2016, but the offensive tackle duo is definitely upgradable, and it could be a necessity depending on the experience of the quarterback brought in to start in 2017.

Potential free-agent targets: The free-agent quarterback market isn't strong, but it could get several significant additions later in the offseason. At the moment, the Bears would be best served by bringing back one of Brian Hoyer or Matt Barkley - more likely Hoyer - to act as a potential stop-gap starter/backup. If Tony Romo or Tyrod Taylor are released, the Bears would be wise to go after both veteran pivots.

Then there's Jimmy Garoppolo or Kirk Cousins. The former isn't a free agent and the latter is all but certain to be franchise tagged, so both would take significant draft capital to acquire, but the Bears have the picks and the need.

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Several top-tier cornerbacks are set to be available, and with over $50 million in cap space, the Bears have the money to grab one. Stephen Gilmore and A.J. Bouye fit the bill, and it would likely come down to whom the Bears consider the best fit for their scheme.

Re-signing Jeffery should be the priority. While he hasn't become the star player many expected him to be, he's still the top receiver available. Alternatively, the Bears could land two solid receivers for a similar price to Jeffery's, with Kenny Stills, Pierre Garcon, Kenny Britt, Ted Ginn Jr., and Robert Woods all free agents.