NFL Draft Grades - NFC North
With the 2019 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out their initial grades for how teams fared over the course of the three-day event.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Chicago Bears
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 73 | RB David Montgomery |
| 4 | 126 | WR Riley Ridley |
| 6 | 205 | CB Duke Shelley |
| 7 | 222 | RB Kerrith Whyte |
| 7 | 238 | CB Stephen Denmark |
Thanks to the trade for Khalil Mack, the Bears were among the teams with the fewest draft assets. This fact can't be ignored when evaluating the pick of Montgomery. The Bears needed a running back after trading Jordan Howard, and Montgomery is a strong fit, but using their first pick on a non-premium position is questionable - especially when another tailback was picked four rounds later. Ridley is easily the best selection and could be a steal in Matt Nagy's creative offense. While this draft will likely be looked back on as the one Chicago needed to endure to get its star pass-rusher - and it isn't exactly bad in relative terms - a five-man class that includes two running backs just can't receive even an average grade.
Grade: C-
Detroit Lions
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | TE T.J. Hockenson |
| 2 | 43 | LB Jahlani Tavai |
| 3 | 81 | S Will Harris |
| 4 | 117 | DE Austin Bryant |
| 5 | 146 | CB Amani Oruwariye |
| 6 | 184 | WR Travis Fulgham |
| 6 | 186 | RB Ty Johnson |
| 7 | 224 | TE Isaac Nauta |
| 7 | 229 | DT PJ Johnson |
Hockenson is arguably one of the five most talented players in the draft, but positional value matters, and no franchise should know the perils of a first-round tight end better than the Lions, who've now taken three since 2009. Still, the Iowa product was easily our favorite pick for Detroit, which speaks more about the rest of the class. Tavai might have Round 2 athletic traits, but his instincts and current skill set sure don't scream "early round." Oruwariye was easily the best pick in terms of value, but fifth-round corners don't save draft classes. The Lions needed to find a way out of the NFC North's basement, but they actually lost ground to the rest of the division with this draft.
Grade: D+
Green Bay Packers
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | DE Rashan Gary |
| 1 | 21 | S Darnell Savage |
| 2 | 44 | C Elgton Jenkins |
| 3 | 75 | TE Jace Sternberger |
| 5 | 150 | DE Kingsley Keke |
| 6 | 185 | CB Ka'dar Hollman |
| 6 | 194 | RB Dexter Williams |
| 7 | 226 | LB Ty Summers |
Instead of helping Aaron Rodgers ease his way into his late 30s with offensive picks, the Packers instead aggressively worked to improve their defense early. Gary was a slight reach at No. 12 but should provide instant pass-rusher help, even if he's far from a finished product. Savage is a modern safety who will help solidify the secondary after Green Bay went hard at the corner position last year. Trading up for him, though, was a questionable move with several safeties of similar value left on the board. Green Bay needed an injection of life with this draft, and while it snagged several talented defenders, it's hard not to wish more had been done to help the two-time NFL MVP outside of project at tight end.
Grade: C+
Minnesota Vikings
| Round | Pick | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | C Garrett Bradbury |
| 2 | 50 | TE Irv Smith Jr. |
| 3 | 102 | RB Alexander Mattison |
| 4 | 114 | G Dru Samia |
| 5 | 162 | LB Cameron Smith |
| 6 | 190 | DT Armon Watts |
| 6 | 191 | S Marcus Epps |
| 6 | 193 | OT Oli Udoh |
| 7 | 217 | CB Kris Boyd |
| 7 | 239 | WR Dillon Mitchell |
| 7 | 247 | WR Olabisi Johnson |
| 7 | 250 | LS Austin Cutting |
Bradbury was the Vikings' pick in what felt like every single mock draft because of a desperate need to improve Kirk Cousins' protection, and Minnesota made it a reality at No. 18. A first-round center isn't going to get the blood flowing for frozen Minnesota residents, but he and fourth-rounder Samia should immediately turn the line into a respectable unit. Smith Jr. gives the Vikings a versatile weapon with upside as both a receiver and blocker, and more importantly a tight end with athleticism and speed that Kyle Rudolph lacks. Of the eye-popping seven players picked in Rounds 6 and 7, Mitchell could be a sleeper.