NFL Draft Grades - NFC North: Packers a cut above competition
With the 2018 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out their initial grades for how teams fared during all seven rounds.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Chicago Bears
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | LB Roquan Smith |
| 2 | C James Daniels |
| 2 | WR Anthony Miller |
| 4 | LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe |
| 5 | DT Bilal Nichols |
| 6 | DE Kylie Fitts |
| 7 | WR Javon Wims |
After some poor recent drafts, general manager Ryan Pace has put together his second straight solid class. The Bears' Day 1 and 2 haul was among the best in the league. Roquan Smith, James Daniels, and Anthony Miller fill needs and were arguably the top players available in their slots. Kylie Fitts and Bilal Nichols provided late-round value for new head coach Matt Nagy. We didn't spot a reach on any of their selections.
Grade: A
Detroit Lions
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | C Frank Ragnow |
| 2 | RB Kerryon Johnson |
| 3 | S Tracy Walker |
| 4 | DL Da'Shawn Hand |
| 5 | OT Tyrell Crosby |
| 7 | FB Nick Bawden |
The Lions had an interesting mix of valuable selections and questionable reaches. Frank Ragnow is a solid prospect, but Detroit left a number of good players on the board. Kerryon Johnson, Da'Shawn Hand, and Tyrell Crosby could all produce in year one, but Tracy Walker was one of Day 2's biggest head-scratchers.
Grade: C+
Green Bay Packers
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | CB Jaire Alexander |
| 2 | CB Josh Jackson |
| 3 | LB Oren Burks |
| 4 | WR J'Mon Moore |
| 5 | OT Cole Madison |
| 5 | P JK Scott |
| 5 | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling |
| 6 | WR Equanimeous St. Brown |
| 7 | DT James Looney |
| 7 | LS Hunter Bradley |
| 7 | LB Kendall Donnerson |
The Packers dominated the 2018 NFL Draft. They filled needs in the secondary with Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson - both first-round talents - and drafted solid late-rounders in Equanimeous St. Brown and James Looney. What pushes Green Bay above their counterparts is the acquisition of New Orleans' 2019 first-round pick for the 14th overall selection. Brian Gutekunst's first draft was a great one.
Grade: A+
Minnesota Vikings
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | CB Mike Hughes |
| 2 | OT Brian O'Neill |
| 4 | DE Jalyn Holmes |
| 5 | TE Tyler Conklin |
| 5 | K Daniel Carlson |
| 6 | G Colby Gossett |
| 6 | DE Ade Aruna |
| 7 | CB Devante Downs |
Rick Spielman and his staff effectively filled a number of needs in this year's draft, but none of their picks stand out. Brian O'Neill is a raw tackle that probably should've been selected in Round 3 or 4, but Mike Hughes has the potential to be a shutdown corner in the pros. Holmes and Conklin were solid, if unspectacular, selections on Day 3.
Grade: C+