Updated NFC North Team Needs
By Editorial Staff
One of the most important factors when preparing for the NFL Draft is knowing each and every NFL team. NFL Mocks keeps a very close eye on each team and will bring you an updated needs assessment at the end of each month. These needs will help as we prepare to make predictions for the 2011 NFL Draft. Continue to check out our team needs page to find the most recent assessments. Also after looking at the team needs move on over to the Big Board and see what prospects might fit your teams need.
Chicago Bears
Though the Bears are holding a 7-3 record look for them to drop several games down the stretch as they will play the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers. After they drop their record their draft position will move up enabling them to get a higher pick. But for now they sit at the lower third of the drafting order. Beyond quarterback the Bears have a huge need at the wide receiver position. The Bears have been talent thin for years with wide receivers so look for them be interested in the best receiver available, preferably Julio Jones of Alabama but he more than likely won’t be available when the Bears pick.
The Detroit lions have many positions they can fill come draft day. In a way is a good problem because they can take the best athlete available. And baring an historic comeback the Lions should be near the top of the draft board so they will be in a position to pick one of the best players. Out of all the needs finding an offensive lineman to protect their young QB Matthew Stafford and RB Jahvid Best should be high on their list. Look for the Lions to be interested in OT Derek Sherrod of Mississippi State or OT Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin come draft day.
The Packers are as talented as any team in the NFL so finding a need for them is a tall task. However with the injury to RB Ryan Grant and the “average” performance of his replacement RB Brandon Jackson look for the Packers to address their running game come draft day. If not the running game they will certainly be looking to beef up their aging offensive line. RB Mark Ingram of Alabama of OG Rodney Hudson of Florida State to be on the Packers wish list.
The drama kings of the NFL have one huge position to fill draft day and that is quarterback. Whether or not QB Brett Favre decides to return next season the Vikings need to draft his replacement. What about QB Tarvaris Jackson replacing Favre? If the Vikings organization truly believed Jackson could lead their team they wouldn’t have begged Favre out of retirement. Look for the Vikings to first release Jackson at the conclusion of the season so he could have a legitimate chance to start for another team. On draft day the Vikings will be eyeing QB Andrew Luck of Stanford or QB Jake Locker of Washington, but depending on their draft position they may have to settle for QB Ryan Mallett of Arkansas. Any one of those three quarterbacks will be a win for the Vikings and a player they can depend on for years to come.
To read more of Jesse Zamarripa visit www.sportsbyjesse.com