2013 NFC North Draft Grades

The rich just got richer in The NFC North. Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson just signed Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a five-year, $110 million extension and he gave Rodgers some more fire power at The National Football League Draft by drafting a pair of power running backs. The Packers chose University of Alabama running back Eddie Lacy in the second round and UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin in the fourth round. Last season at their respective schools, Lacy and Franklin combined for over 3,000 yards on the ground and they will be welcomed with open arms in Green Bay as The Packers were 20th in rushing offense last season.

Thompson selected UCLA defensive end Datone Jones in the first round. Jones is versatile defensive end who can play multiple positions on the defensive line which will allow Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji to see less double-teams.

The Packers have been the class of The NFC North lately and they don’t appear to be taking a step backwards. 

Minnesota Vikings

Overall Grade: A-

Best Pick: Round 1-Sharrif Floyd-Defensive Tackle-Florida

The Minnesota Vikings came into The NFL Draft with a pair of first round picks, but once they left Radio City Music Hall they had three first round picks. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman might have gotten the steal of the draft when University of Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd fell to him at the 23rd pick. Floyd had top five talent, but for some strange reason he fell to The Vikings late in the first round. We saw this with The Vikings before as wide receiver Randy Moss fell to them late in the first round of The 1998 NFL Draft. Florida State University cornerback Xavier Rhodes was expected to be selected in the top 15, but he fell to The Vikings with the 25th pick. Rhodes has terrific range and he should be penciled in as a starter on opening day. The Vikings traded with The New England Patriots to acquire the 29th overall pick of the draft which Spielman used on University of Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson is expected to give The Vikings the explosion in the passing game and he could make fans in Minnesota forget about wide receiver Percy Harvin who was traded to The Seattle Seahawks.

The Vikings got two steals in the seventh round. Spielman selected Penn State University linebacker Michael Mauti who is a throwback player who could have played with the famed “Purple People Eaters” defense of the 1970’s. Knee injuries slowed Mauti down in college, but there wasn’t one player or coach in The Penn State locker room that didn’t respect his toughness. The Vikings also drafted Florida State University defensive tackle Everett Dawkins who will bolster the defensive line.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier is assembling a respectable team in Minnesota.

Chicago Bears

Overall Grade: B

Best Pick: Round 2-Jon Bostic-Inside Linebacker-Florida

Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery turned heads in the first round of The NFL Draft when he selected University of Oregon guard Justin Long when he hadn’t been graded as a first round talent. Emery was able to fill The Bears needs at middle linebacker in the second round when he selected University of Florida linebacker Jon Bostic. Bostic was second-team All-SEC last season at Florida and his main job is to make the people of Chicago forget about former Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Overall Grade: B-

Best Pick: Round 1-Ezekiel Ansah-Defensive End-BYU

I expected Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew to select an offensive tackle early in the draft, but when three were selected in the first four picks, he took Brigham Young University defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. The Lions had a hole at defensive end after Cliff Avril left to sign with The Seahawks. Ansah is a raw talent, but he will have to figure it out on the fly as he is expected to contribute immediately. If things don’t work out for The Lions and tight end Brandon Pettigrew, Mayhew selected University of Alabama tight end Michael Williams in the seventh round. Williams is an excellent blocker who can also serve in the H-back role.