2021 NFL Draft: Team-by-team storylines to watch this fall

NFC North

It’s Mitch. Can Trubisky take Chicago back to the playoffs or is it game over?

Well, the ongoing offseason storyline of who will be the Bears Week 1 starter has finally been addressed after Matt Nagy announced Mitch Trubisky will be starting over Nick Foles. Questions over Trubisky’s inclusion in the starting line-up will continue to persist if Chicago doesn’t jump to a fast start to the 2020 campaign with a win in Detroit. A slow start against the Lions and Giants could lead to an early switch at quarterback with Nagy’s job on the line as much as Trubisky’s.

After an 8-8 2019 season, the Bears bring back one of the top defenses in the league and look to compete again with Green Bay and Minnesota after an impressive 12-4 season in 2018. The Bears return an experienced offensive line, but one that struggled to protect Trubisky or establishing the run. Chicago has decent talent at the skill positions, but only Allen Robinson II has produced to the expected level.

Prediction: Unless Trubisky has greatly improved this offseason, the Bears won’t be a playoff team with the offense from a year ago. If Trubisky is still the same player we’ve seen and he remains a better option than a limited regular season success, Nick Foles, the Bears are going to be in trouble and it’ll be more than just Mitch looking for a new job next year. 

Stafford’s back but the Lions need to win now to save Patricia’s job.

The Lions are another NFC North franchise entering the 2020 season with several jobs on the line. After a 3-12-1 finish last year, the Lions ended up with the third overall pick in the 2020 draft and selected Ohio State corner Jeffrey Okudah. Okudah is a day one starter and will need to play at a high level to replace Darius Slay. The Lions were one of the worst defensive teams in the league with only the Cardinals allowing more yards than Patricia’s unit.

Matt Stafford continues to play at a top-level, but back problems continue to plague the former first overall pick. The Lions went 0-8 after Stafford went down and will need their new and expensive offensive line to keep the quarterback healthy if they expect to climb out of the NFC North basement.

The Lions have solid and familiar weapons around Stafford and added to the running back group with second-round selection D’Andre Swift and future Hall of Famer, Adrian Peterson.

Prediction: The Lions should improve from their dismal 3-12-1 record from the previous year, but will need a lot to go right to move up in the NFC North. Stafford needs to stay on the field and something needs to click on defense if the Lions are going to push for a playoff spot and save Patricia’s job. The Lions look destined for a top ten pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and could benefit from addressing their front seven. 

Can Rodgers win another Super Bowl before getting the boot?

You don’t often see a team finish a year one game away from the Super Bowl with a 13-3 record, trading up to select a quarterback in the first round. You especially don’t see that when the current starter is a sure thing Hall of Famer with a few more years left in the tank, but then again, things are just run differently in Green Bay. While Rodgers had arguably his poorest season under first-year coach, Matt LaFluer, the Packers held off Minnesota en route to clinching the two seed.

Green Bay was one of the strongest rushing teams last season but failed to add a playmaker opposite Devante Adams, a new right tackle or tight end. The Packers bring a strong secondary and a front seven that played well last season before being steamrolled by San Francisco’s rushing attack. It is to be seen if there are deficiencies defensively or if the unit can be enough to contend for the NFC Championship.

Prediction: Despite the young guns at quarterback, Rodgers is still one of the league’s best passers and the Packers bring back a team that won 13 games last year. Green Bay may have overachieved, but should still be seen as the team to beat in the NFC North and a potential first-round bye. Don’t expect the Packers to finally help Rodgers out in the 201 NFL Draft, a late-round linebacker or offensive lineman is more likely in play. 

New faces, same expectations. Minnesota is still a contender in the NFC.

The 2020 offseason has been very busy in Minnesota. After trading Stefon Diggs to Buffalo, the Vikings set an NFL draft record with their 15 selections coming as the most in the seven-round era. The Vikings lost multiple long term starters on the defensive line and secondary and will feature new starters with rookies at corner and Ngakoue on the defensive line after the trade with Jacksonville.

The Vikings may be hindered with poor offensive line play, where only right tackle Brian O’Neill serving as a reliable lineman. Minnesota did not make any instant improvements on the line with second-round pick Ezra Cleveland likely needing time to earn the left tackle spot. A healthy Dalvin Cook will be needed come end of season to keep the pressure off Cousins if Minnesota is to be a threat in the NFC.

Prediction: Minnesota is coming off another strong season but will need to replace several starters if they expect to return to the playoffs. Key players remain on both sides of the ball, but if the Vikings are going to clinch the NFC North, one or two of their rookies will need to breakout. Minnesota just misses the playoffs with a 9-7 record and looks to address the offensive line in the 2021 NFL Draft.