Post Draft- NFC North

[supafreak84]

I'm just going through the projected depth charts now in the division after the draft and looking at these teams in the division...they are stacked, and I think every team in the division added impact players as positions of need in the draft. 

Bears- needed offense and added maybe the two best playmakers in the draft in Williams and Odunze. Continued to add pieces to their offensive line 

Lions- Secondary has been their weakness for years and their best corner, Cam Sutton, was arrested and released . They doubled up on two of the highest rated players at that position in Arnold and Rakestraw, who could both start for them as rookies. 

Packers- Always a team focusing on the lines and they added Morgan who can play inside as well at tackle, gives them quality depth. Also grabbed the top linebacker on most boards in Cooper who should start for them immediately..

To me the biggest difference between the teams in the division and the Vikings is that they are stronger along both lines, and the quarterback play is huge. I think Williams is going to be really good surrounded by that supporting cast in Chicago, and we already know what Goff and Love can do. Sam Darnold is clearly behind those other 3 and we just don't know when JJ will be ready to take the reigns. So while I'm encouraged and anything can happen, I still see the Vikings as the 4th team in the division.

Also interestingly enough, the rest of the teams in the division are running 4-3 defensive fronts. The Vikings are the lone 3-4 unit. Still strange for me to embrace it

[FLVike]

I remember many times we were the favorite and didn't win the division. Injuries, refs, and luck are much larger factors that decide the winner than players and talent.

[purplefaithful]

Bears are most eye-opening to me; Will promise be fulfilled?
- When?
- They certainly look to have foundational pieces on offense.
- It'll take time to jell.

GB - still not sure how high the ceiling is for Love.
- Solid team, coach, culture.
- Caught Dallas at the right time.
- Not NFC elite, not yet imo.

DET - weird to say it, a top 4 nfc team??

Vikes
- hopefully competitive in 24 but they have Sam Darnold starting
- I see 6-8 wins.
- D will be better/offense wont be.
- If all goes to plan, a big leap in 2025
- JJM at the helm and an embarrassment of cap space to add pieces.

[supafreak84]

Bears are most eye-opening to me; Will promise be fulfilled? 
- When?
- They certainly look to have foundational pieces on offense.
- It'll take time to jell.

GB - still not sure how high the ceiling is for Love.
- Solid team, coach, culture.
- Caught Dallas at the right time.
- Not NFC elite, not yet imo.

DET - weird to say it, a top 4 nfc team??

Vikes
- hopefully competitive in 24 but they have Sam Darnold starting
- I see 6-8 wins.
- D will be better/offense wont be.
- If all goes to plan, a big leap in 2025
- JJM at the helm and an embarrassment of cap space to add pieces.

It's going to be a battle because all these teams are loaded with talent and built for the long haul. Watching them square up against each other every week is going to be must see TV

[MaroonBells]

I think it will be a very competitive division with the Lions favorites, and the Bears, Vikings and Packers fighting it out for 2nd. 

Lions are very good on paper and I love what they've done with their OL and secondary. They'll be the team to beat. But they're one Amon-Ra injury away from having zero WRs. And let's not forget Marcus Davenport is their starting defensive end. 

Packers are all about Love. Is he the guy we saw first half of last year? Or the guy we saw the 2nd half? Not sold on the WR/TEs, and I think Morgan was a big reach in the 1st round, but I think they upgraded Jones with Jacobs. 

Caleb Williams could dominate the NFL next year...or turn the ball over so much he's benched. But this is a better team all around than they were last year. 

Vikings are all about Darnold. It's easily the best offense in the division with competent QB play. I think Darnold will have his best season ever but this is not Kirk Cousins. My biggest fear is the team being tempted or pressured to put in the rookie. RESIST.

[StickierBuns]

I hope Viking's fans understand this is going to be a transition year: 6 to 8 wins. Minnesota kept their 2025 1st round pick which is huge. Tons of cap space to fill voids next year. Something like 40% of the roster will be new this year to the team?

Vikings need to hit on JJM as the starter for 2025, hit on their 1st round pick next year and rock free agency to legitimately stay with the rest of the thoroughbreds in the NFCN moving forward. The encouraging part is they've set themselves up for success and to do just that. A nice FA DT will be a priority next offseason (they tried this year). Fingers crossed, but you don't need purple-colored glasses to see the potential.
But this is going to be an up and down year. Don't lose focus on what the plan is and that its coming very soon. They are setting the culture that they want.

[supafreak84]

I hope Viking's fans understand this is going to be a transition year: 6 to 8 wins. Minnesota kept their 2025 1st round pick which is huge. Tons of cap space to fill voids next year. Something like 40% of the roster will be new this year to the team?

Vikings need to hit on JJM as the starter for 2025, hit on their 1st round pick next year and rock free agency to legitimately stay with the rest of the thoroughbreds in the NFCN moving forward. The encouraging part is they've set themselves up for success and to do just that. A nice FA DT will be a priority next offseason (they tried this year). Fingers crossed, but you don't need purple-colored glasses to see the potential.
But this is going to be an up and down year. Don't lose focus on what the plan is and that its coming very soon. They are setting the culture that they want.

I just checked out the list of potential free agent DT's in 2025....not a good list

[kmillard]

Bears are most eye-opening to me; Will promise be fulfilled? 
- When?
- They certainly look to have foundational pieces on offense.
- It'll take time to jell.

GB - still not sure how high the ceiling is for Love.
- Solid team, coach, culture.
- Caught Dallas at the right time.
- Not NFC elite, not yet imo.

DET - weird to say it, a top 4 nfc team??
Top 4 in the NFL actually.
Vikes
- hopefully competitive in 24 but they have Sam Darnold starting
- I see 6-8 wins.
- D will be better/offense wont be.
- If all goes to plan, a big leap in 2025
- JJM at the helm and an embarrassment of cap space to add pieces.

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I just checked out the list of potential free agent DT's in 2025....not a good list

It has to be the #1 draft pick next year. Looks like a better high end DT draft in 25. Use FA to buy some guards after another Ingram and whoever shit show in 24.

[supafreak84]

---

It has to be the #1 draft pick next year. Looks like a better high end DT draft in 25. Use FA to buy some guards after another Ingram and whoever shit show in 24.

It's really been crazy the massive drop off in defensive tackle talent over the last 5 years or so when it comes to the draft. I don't think college programs are preparing them or developing their overall games anymore. Instead they are just asking them to essentially be space eaters in these odd fronts and not do much else. I look at what Byron Murphy was asked to do at Texas and that's commonplace anymore. I also think it's a big reason why good defensive tackles aren't hitting the market because when teams have a good one, they want to keep them. The Vikings are going to need to draft someone at that position and I hope there is one available worthy of the pick

[StickierBuns]

It's really been crazy the massive drop off in defensive tackle talent over the last 5 years or so when it comes to the draft. I don't think college programs are preparing them or developing their overall games anymore. Instead they are just asking them to essentially be space eaters in these odd fronts and not do much else. I look at what Byron Murphy was asked to do at Texas and that's commonplace anymore. I also think it's a big reason why good defensive tackles aren't hitting the market because when teams have a good one, they want to keep them. The Vikings are going to need to draft someone at that position and I hope there is one available worthy of the pick

I think the point that hits home is that teams keep their good DTs. Straight up. Zero doubt about it. 

Here's the deal with DTs: many don't give you the same quality and effort in reps play-to-play. The good ones do. Even a fringe NT can look amazing for one play....then the film shows he takes the next 2 plays off and is useless because he's either gassed or he just doesn't play hard consistently. Its also tricky to play a true NT because teams use the hurry up offense and he can't get off the field. You get a big NT to play 3 straight downs and you may as well get the oxygen and the stretcher.