Draft Grades - NFC North: Packers, Vikings, Bears continue to stockpile talent
With the 2016 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out their initial grades for how teams fared during all seven rounds.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Green Bay Packers
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | DT Kenny Clark |
| 2 | OT Jason Spriggs |
| 3 | LB Kyler Fackrell |
| 4 | LB Blake Martinez |
| 4 | DL Dean Lowry |
| 5 | WR Trevor Davis |
| 6 | OT Kyle Murphy |
Kenny Clark is an absolute stud on the defensive line, and should be a great replacement for the retired B.J. Raji. Jason Spriggs is as solid as they come across the offensive line, and his selection should make Aaron Rodgers a very happy man, as the Packers struggled to protect the star quarterback last season. Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell add some important depth at the linebacker position, and could be deployed by Dom Capers in blitz packages. Don't expect much from Trevor Davis, who will struggle to break into a solid receiving core. Kyle Murphy was ranked by many pundits as a fourth-round talent, and could represent a steal for Green Bay. Overall, another solid draft for Ted Thompson.
Grade: B
Minnesota Vikings
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | WR Laquon Treadwell |
| 2 | CB Mackensie Alexander |
| 4 | OT Willie Beavers |
| 5 | LB Kentrell Brothers |
| 6 | WR Moritz Boehringer |
| 6 | TE David Morgan |
| 7 | LB Stephen Weatherly |
| 7 | S Jayron Kearse |
Minnesota addressed its most pressing need at wide receiver, pouncing on Laquon Treadwell when he descended through the first round. Mackensie Alexander joins a young, formidable cornerback group in Minnesota and the team is set at the position for years to come. The Vikings may have struck gold in Moritz Boehringer who is an unknown quantity but dominated in Germany, and there is a case for Jayron Kearse being the best Day 3 pick. For the second consecutive year, the Vikings nailed the draft, in both need and value.
Grade: A-
Chicago Bears
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | LB Leonard Floyd |
| 2 | G Cody Whitehair |
| 3 | DL Jonathan Bullard |
| 4 | LB Nick Kwiatkoski |
| 4 | S Deon Bush |
| 4 | CB Deiondre' Hall |
| 5 | RB Jordan Howard |
| 6 | S DeAndre Houston-Carson |
| 7 | WR Daniel Braverman |
The Bears traded up in the first round to select Leonard Floyd, who will give them a strong presence on the edge as a disruptive pass-rushing force. Chicago then traded down to secure arguably the draft's best guard in Cody Whitehair. Third-round pick Jonathan Bullard provides the team with a quality five-technique end in Vic Fangio's 3-4 defensive front. The Bears waited to address their backfield, taking Jordan Howard in the fifth round. The 6-foot, 230-pound rusher will compete with Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey to be the team's lead back in 2016.
Grade: B+
Detroit Lions
| Rd. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | OT Taylor Decker |
| 2 | DT A'Shawn Robinson |
| 3 | C Graham Glasgow |
| 4 | S Miles Killebrew |
| 5 | G Joe Dahl |
| 5 | LB Antwione Williams |
| 6 | QB Jake Rudock |
| 6 | DE Anthony Zettel |
| 6 | LS Jimmy Landes |
| 7 | RB Dwayne Washington |
Incoming Lions general manager Bob Quinn clearly wanted to upgrade an offensive line that gave up 44 sacks last season. Using three of his first five picks on offensive lineman, Quinn failed to address a consistent need in the secondary. As it stands now the Lions have Darius Slay and two unproven rookies at corner and not much else. The first two rounds should still prove fruitful, however, with offensive tackle Taylor Decker and defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson both solid selections. Fourth-round safety Miles Killebrew could step in for departing veteran James Ihedigbo as the team's thumper.
Grade: C