Draft Grades - NFC North: Vikings, Bears dominate division
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Chicago Bears
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | WR Kevin White |
| 2 | DT Eddie Goldman |
| 3 | C Hroniss Grasu |
| 4 | RB Jeremy Langford |
| 5 | S Adrian Amos |
| 6 | OT Tayo Fabuluje |
Could the Bears be on their way back to contention? It'd be difficult to not be impressed by the club's first draft under new general manager Ryan Pace. After taking White to pair with Alshon Jeffery, Chicago landed two impact players in the trenches, indicating that the team will be built the right way. Langford provides some added depth in the backfield, and Amos is an intriguing talent at a position that has plagued the organization for years.
Grade: B+
Detroit Lions
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | G Laken Tomlinson |
| 2 | RB Ameer Abdullah |
| 3 | CB Alex Carter |
| 4 | DT Gabe Wright |
| 5 | FB Michael Burton |
| 6 | CB Quandre Diggs |
| 7 | OT Corey Robinson |
The Lions went pass protection with their first-round selection and Tomlinson should provide them with great value at guard. He's an excellent run blocker and will help the Lions go to the ground game more frequently, taking the pressure off Matthew Stafford and the offense. Abdullah should provide the run game with a solid one-two punch behind Joique Bell and will be an asset on third downs. The only negative for the Lions was not addressing the secondary enough. Carter may be forced to start in Week 1 and that's not ideal for a third round pick.
Grade: B-
Green Bay Packers
| Rd. | Players |
|---|---|
| 1 | S Damarious Randall |
| 2 | CB Quinten Rollins |
| 3 | WR Ty Montgomery |
| 4 | LB Jake Ryan |
| 5 | QB Brett Hundley |
| 6 | FB Aaron Ripkowski |
| 6 | DE Christian Ringo |
| 6 | TE Kennard Backman |
Though this class could conceivably turn out quite well - as so many have for the Packers in years past - the way in which they attacked the first three rounds is confusing. Spending picks in the defensive backfield and at receiver weren't exactly necessary, and doing so pushed the needed selection of an inside linebacker all the way to the fourth round. The true value in a draft class is, of course, in the impact it has long term, but there were some odd selections here given the Packers' current roster.
Grade: C+
Minnesota Vikings
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | CB Trae Waynes |
| 2 | LB Eric Kendricks |
| 3 | DE Danielle Hunter |
| 4 | OT T.J. Clemmings |
| 5 | TE MyCole Pruitt |
| 5 | WR Stefon Diggs |
| 6 | OT Tyrus Thompson |
| 6 | DE B.J. Dubose |
| 7 | OT Austin Shepherd |
| 7 | LB Edmond Robinson |
By sheer numbers, the Vikings' haul is impressive. They drafted a whopping 10 players, including a few on defense that Mike Zimmer will maximize. Waynes and Kendricks should have an immediate impact as Minnesota is quietly putting together a solid group on that side of the ball. Clemmings was a steal in the fourth round, and Diggs, as well as Pruitt give Teddy Bridgewater a few more weapons.
Grade: A