The NFC North was one of the most tightly contested divisions in the NFL last season, and that competition doesn't seem to be getting any weaker. The winner of the division in 2026 could be directly decided by some of the picks made in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Top selections will have the spotlight placed on them, but some of the lesser-known draft picks might have the chance to alter the division's direction for years.
Here's one steal from each NFC North team who could make a big impact:
Chicago Bears: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas - Round 4, Pick 124
Planning for the future, especially for a team like Chicago, whose contending window seems to be opening, is the key to maintaining a chance at multiple Super Bowl runs. In this case, Malik Muhammad looks to be the contingency plan for Tyrique Stevenson, who is set to enter the last year of his current contract.
Similarly to Stevenson, Muhammad excels in man coverage and has the top-end speed to stick with receivers both on the boundary and when moving to the inside. Stevenson's presence offers him a developmental cushion to hone in on some of his deficiencies and propel him to the top of the depth chart within a year or two.
Detroit Lions: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State - Round 5, Pick 157
Abney II lasting this late in the draft was more than puzzling for a multitude of reasons. A large knock on him is that he's likely to remain inside as a slot cornerback as opposed to living on the boundary, but he has all the necessary skills to be a starting-caliber nickel. He's a physical, sticky defensive back who plays perfectly into their defensive play style, and current projected starting NB Roger McCreary isn't exactly the steepest competition.
On paper, this was one of the premier picks of the entirety of the later rounds. It's not common to get a battle-tested, toolsy cornerback who can impact a championship run this deep down the draft board, and Abney II could very well become one of the picks that general managers can't believe they let fall this far.
More 2026 draft steals:
Green Bay Packers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State - Round 4, Pick 120
Trading Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys and losing Kingsley Enagbare to the New York Jets in free agency thinned out a pass-rushing group that already might not have All-Pro Micah Parsons to begin the season. Dennis-Sutton will have all the opportunity in the world to carve out playing time almost immediately and provide Green Bay with some much-needed depth.
The Packers desperately require a boost to their pass rush production, and while the former Nittany Lion won't be solely relied on as the defensive anchor, he should see much more Year 1 run than most Day 3 selections. Early action could help further his development into a steady pass rusher on the defensive line, making Green Bay's future defensive plans much less clouded.
Minnesota Vikings: Demond Claiborne, DB, Wake Forest - Round 6, Pick 198
Aaron Jones Jr. and Jordan Mason make up a solid running back duo in Minnesota, but adding an explosive element to the backfield is always an advantageous decision. Claiborne's sub-4.40 second 40-yard dash certainly shows up on his tape, as he's one of the most dangerous home run hitters in this year's draft class.
Becoming a clear-cut RB1 option might not be a realistic pathway for the Wake Forest product, but finding a stable role could be in the cards. The Kyler Murray/JJ McCarthy quarterback battle has the entire Vikings' offense in a systematic overhaul, giving Claiborne's flashy skills a chance to draw some eyes in training camp and force his way onto the field.
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