Team Needs: NFC North

The NFC North saw two of its teams advance to the playoffs last season, with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers losing in respective rounds in heartbreaking fashion. Both teams appear poised to make another playoff run, while the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings will look to close the gap.

Let's take a look at the players teams in the NFC North may be targeting in free agency and the draft.

NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST

Green Bay Packers

Positions of need: inside linebacker, defensive line, tight end

One of the biggest areas of concern for the Packers the past two seasons has been their run defense. They finished 23rd in the NFL in 2014 with 119.9 rushing yards per game, only slightly better than the 125 yards they allowed a year earlier. Moving Clay Matthews to inside linebacker helped, but they still got torched for 194 rushing yards in the NFC Championship game.

In order to continue improving against the run, the Packers would be wise to add an inside linebacker or two. A.J. Hawk played nearly every game for the Packers the past nine years, but the team decided last month that it was time to move on from the veteran. Addressing the defensive line and signing a playmaking tight end should also be high on Green Bay's to-do list.

Potential free-agent targets: The Packers' receiving issues were especially apparent in the red zone last season. Adding a tight end like Julius Thomas or Jordan Cameron should help them in that area. 

Bruce Carter was inconsistent at times as a weak and strong-side linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, but showed flashes as an inside linebacker in Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme in 2012. Despite missing five games that year, Pro Football Focus ranked Carter 15th among inside linebackers. Rolando McClain could be a good fit as well.

Detroit Lions

Positions of need: defensive line, cornerback, offensive line, wide receiver, running back

The Lions will have some big shoes to fill if they end up losing one or both of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in free agency, which makes defensive tackle their No. 1 priority this offseason. They're in decent shape at cornerback thanks to the emergence of Darius Slay, but may need another starter if Rashean Mathis signs elsewhere. 

On offense, they could use an upgrade at both left guard and right tackle – the latter of which was a revolving door last season – after allowing 45 sacks in 2014. Depth at wide receiver is another issue, but one that could be addressed through the later rounds of the draft. Drafting a running back seems likely too, especially after the release of Reggie Bush.

Potential free-agent targets: Re-signing Suh should be the Lions' top priority, but if a deal fails to materialize, Terrance Knighton becomes a potential target. They could also make a run at a big-name cornerback like Byron Maxwell and Kareem Jackson in the event that they lose Suh in free agency.

Elsewhere, running backs C.J. Spiller and Shane Vereen could serve as replacements for the departed Bush, while Mike Iupati would give the Lions the anchor they desperately need on their offensive line.

Minnesota Vikings

Positions of need: wide receiver, running back, offensive line, linebacker, quarterback

The biggest concern for Minnesota is what to do with running back Adrian Peterson, who missed all but one game last season after being indicted for child abuse. He is under contract through 2015, but has admitted to being uneasy about returning to the Vikings.  

The Vikings found a draft-day steal in Teddy Bridgewater, but figure to be in the market for a backup quarterback after trading Matt Cassel to the Buffalo Bills. The offensive line – which allowed the fifth-most sacks (51) in the NFL last season – will require some attention, particularly the left side, where they are without a starting left guard and could use some competition for former Pro Bowl left tackle Matt Kalil.

Potential free-agent targets: Minnesota got by without Peterson last season, but will need to address the position if the two sides end up parting ways. Head coach Mike Zimmer has already said the team won't sign a back in free agency, which leaves the draft. Drafting an offensive lineman also makes sense given this year's deep class, as does making a run at left guard Clint Boling and tackle-turned-guard Orlando Franklin.

Randall Cobb is among the best receivers available, but the Packers have reportedly made re-signing him their top priority. Other options include Jeremy Maclin, Torrey Smith and Michael Crabtree.

Chicago Bears

Positions of need: linebacker, safety, cornerback, defensive line

The Bears entered last season as playoff contenders, but ended up finishing with the third-worst record in the NFC, leaving plenty of room for improvement. With nearly $30 million in cap space available to them, they should be able to address key positions in free agency.  

High on Chicago's priority list should be revamping the linebacker unit, which could lose longtime starter Lance Briggs to retirement or free agency. Chris Conte and Charles Tillman may be moving on as well, leaving the Bears with voids at safety and cornerback.

Potential free-agent targets: This year's draft and free-agent classes are relatively thin at safety, so Chicago has some extensive research to do there. Needs at other positions may prevent the team from making a run at a big-name cornerback like Byron Maxwell, so it wouldn't be surprising to see them go after a cheaper option like Chris Culliver or Perrish Cox.

Dan Skuta was a favorite of Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in San Francisco and can play both outside and inside linebacker as well as 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. Rolando McClain, Bruce Carter and Mason Foster are among the inside linebackers available.