Green Bay Packers 2020 NFL Draft: A Look Around the NFC North

By this point we are all well aware of how the draft turned out for the Green Bay Packers, but how did the rest of the NFC North fare?

Whether it be by fans, sports talk shows, draft analysts, or just about anyone else, the Green Bay Packers have been getting beaten up quite a bit in regards to how their draft turned out.

Now I will say that while it is disappointing that they didn’t land a top receiver early on, it is clear that GM Brian Gutekunst and Company do have a plan in place as they go all-in on Matt LaFleur’s offense. Whether or not that plan pans out remains to be seen, but there certainly was a valid reason for each selection, despite what some might say.

However, we aren’t here today to discuss the Packers’ draft. Instead, we are going to take a look around the rest of the NFC North.

Last season it was, as it usually is, a tight race with, of course, the Green Bay Packers coming out on top. And once again, I’d expect nothing less heading into the 2020 season. So with that in mind, here is how the 2020 NFL Draft turned out for the Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions, and the Minnesota Vikings.

Chicago Bears

Draft picks: Cole Kmet TE, Jaylon Johnson CB, Trevis Gipson DE, Kindle Vildor CB, Darnell Mooney WR, Arlington Hambright OL, and Lachavious Simmons OT.

Takeaway: I would categorize the Bears’ draft as fine. They add their 50th tight end to the roster with the Cole Kmet selection and he certainly has the potential to turn into a weapon in the passing game but historically, the odds of that happening in 2020 are slim. Meanwhile, I was a fan of Jaylon Johnson coming into the draft. He’s instinctive and will be starting at CB sooner than later.

In the later rounds, Chicago continues to address the cornerback position as well as the offensive line. Two areas where they could certainly use the reinforcements.

Here are a few grades that the Bears received:

Pro Football Focus: B+

Monday Morning Quarterback: B-

ESPN: C+

Detroit Lions

Draft picks: Jeff Okudah CB, D’Andre Swift, Julian Okwara DE, Jonah Jackson OG, Logan Stenberg OG, Quintez Cephus WR, Jason Huntley RB, John Penisini DT, Jashan Cornell DT.

Takeaway: This draft turned out quite well for Detroit. With their first three picks they come away with the best corner in the draft, arguably the best running back, and one of the top edge-rushers in Okwara. On top of that, Jonah Jackson was underrated throughout the draft process, Stenberg is a solid addition, and Cephus will make some noise in the passing game despite his lackluster 40-time at the combine.

Here are a few grades that the Lions received:

PFF: A

MMQB: A

ESPN: B

Minnesota Vikings

Draft picks: Justin Jefferson WR, Jeff Gladney CB, Ezra Cleveland OT, Cameron Dantzler CB, D.J. Wonnum DE, James Lynch DT, Troy Dye LB, Harrison Hand CB, K.J. Osborn WR, Blake Brandel OT, Josh Metellus S, Kenny Willekes DE, Nate Stanley QB, Brian Cole III S, Kyle Hinton OG.

Takeaway: After trading Stefon Diggs and letting many key players from their secondary leave via free agency, the Vikings had some holes to fill on their roster. And as much as it pains me to say this, they did a fantastic job.

Jefferson is an instant weapon out of the slot, they landed some very good CB talent with Gladney, Dantzler, and Hand. Not to mention that Cleveland was considered a potential first-round selection by many and Troy Dye’s sideline-to-sideline range along with his coverage ability will be a nice addition to the middle of the Viking defense.

Here are a few grades that the Vikings received:

PFF: A

MMQB: A-

ESPN: A-

At least among draft analysts, the general consensus is that the Green Bay Packers had the worst draft in the NFC North. And it wasn’t particularly close. However, the good news is that all of this is just speculation at this point. For what it’s worth, the Chiefs received a C- grade when they took Patrick Mahomes a few years ago, showing that we never truly know how things are going to turn out.

As I’ve already mentioned, it’s clear that the Packers have a plan, it’s just that the plan isn’t what anyone expected it to be. So on the surface, their selections don’t make as much sense to those outside of the organization. Ultimately only time will tell but at this moment, it certainly looks like all three divisional opponents are now better than what they were at this time a week ago.