NFC North Draft Analysis

Minnesota Vikings: 3rd Pick

Biggest Needs:

• Offensive Tackle
• Wide Receiver
• Safety

Possible First Round Picks:

• Matt Kalil, OT - USC: Kalil is a solid OT built on good size and great speed. His instincts are phenomenal and he is considered a natural leader. Kalil got by with on instinct in college but will need to add strength to live up to his potential in the pros.
• Justin Blackmon, WR - Oklahoma State: A receiver with prototypical size, speed, and physicality. His Fiesta Bowl performance displayed his ability to make clutch plays with the game on the line. Blackmon is all around a quality receiver and will make an immediate impact in NFL next season.

• Mark Barron, S  - Alabama: Barron displays great instincts and lethal hitting ability; he would be a significant upgrade for most NFL teams. Barron is far and away the best safety in this draft class.

Chicago Bears: 19th Pick

Biggest Needs:

• Wide Receiver
• Offensive Tackle
• Safety

Possible Picks:

• Kendall Wright, WR - Baylor: Wright has incredible speed that will make him a legitimate deep threat the moment he steps into the NFL. The Bears have been lacking a true number one wide receiver since the inception of the forward pass; Wright just might have what it takes to become Chicago’s go-to guy.
• Jonathan Martin, OT - Stanford: Should Martin fall all the way to the Bears, the team would seriously have to consider waiting to draft a receiver so they could pair Martin with Gabe Carimi to form one of the NFL’s youngest and most talented set of tackles.
• Markelle Martin, S - Oklahoma State: A play making safety with major upside, Martin’s hard-hitting style would make him a Chicago favorite from day one.

Detroit Lions: 23rd Pick

Biggest Needs:

• Cornerback
• Offensive Tackle
• Center

Possible Picks:

• Janoris Jenkins, CB - N. Alabama: Jenkins has great size, is fluid in coverage and possesses solid football instincts. Jenkins’ talent is only outshined by the multiple arrests which led to his dismissal from Florida.

• Michael Adams, OT - Ohio State: Solid player with ideal size for a tackle. Suspect lateral quickness makes him susceptible to the speed rush, leading some to believe his NFL future will be at right tackle.
• Peter Konz, C - Wisconsin: Konz is a force to be reckoned with and would immediately solidify the Lions’ running game. He is great at getting to the second level where he has the quickness to stay with linebackers or safeties and the power to drive them backwards.