NFC North: A surprise cut from Packers, Bears, Vikings, and Lions

Every year it seems like teams end up cutting at least one player who almost nobody saw coming. The NFC North figures to follow that trend in 2018.

Each of the teams in the division has fairly strong rosters. This often leads to good or at least talented players not being able to stick on the depth chart. Usually they’re high draft choices that just couldn’t quite pan out. Other times they were former good players who suddenly hit a rut they couldn’t quite get out of. Then there’s the matter of new head coaches and systems arriving. For whatever reason, these guys won’t stick anymore.

So who could be that mild shocker fans might not see coming? Here are the names to watch for each team.

Minnesota Vikings: Laquon Treadwell

The Vikings offense appears set at wide receiver with the pairing of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielein. They’ve also been getting notable contributions from Jake Wieneke and Cayleb Jones in the preseason. It’s shaping up to where former 1st round pick Laquon Treadwell may be out of a job. He’s been one of the bigger disappointments of an otherwise stellar run by GM Rick Spielman. It’s amazing how the Vikings have had better luck with late round picks and undrafted free agents at that position while he’s floundered.

Green Bay Packers: Jason Spriggs

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The Packers traded up in 2017 to grab the tackle from Indiana. They envisioned he could be one of their guys of the future, likely to replace Brian Bulaga on the right side, securing Aaron Rodgers for years to come. Results to date have come in woefully below expectations. Spriggs has too often looked overmatched against NFL pass rushers, getting turned too easily and lacking any sort of consistency. With Byron Bell having more proven experience, he could steal the roster spot.

Detroit Lions: Ameer Abdullah

There’s a reason the Lions signed LeGarrette Blount and drafted Kerryon Johnson this offseason. This team hasn’t been able to run the football for years. Ameer Abdullah, despite coming in with a lot of hype is a reason for that. He’s not lived up to his former second round status. Abdullah has averaged just 3.8 yards per carry for his career with nine total touchdowns in three seasons. That’s not going to cut it anymore. If they can’t trade him, they’ll likely send him packing.

Chicago Bears: Jonathan Bullard

Expectations were high for the former 3rd round pick out of Florida. His explosive burst was some of the most impressive in the entire draft class. If he could learn other facets of playing defensive line, there was a chance to become a playmaker. Thus far the return has been unfortunate. Bullard has remained stuck as a backup. This year was his first shot to finally ascend to starter and instead it appears he’ll lose out to Roy Robertson-Harris, who was signed as an undrafted free agent the same year he was drafted. Combined with a rather deepening line group, he may not be able to survive another year.

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