The NFC North might’ve flopped in the playoffs, but don’t let that fool you—the division was stacked during the regular season. The Lions (15-2) and Vikings (14-3) were absolute juggernauts, and the Packers (11-6) weren’t far behind. Even the Bears started 4-2 before falling off a cliff and losing ten straight.
With the draft coming up April 24-26, every team in the division has some key holes to fill if they want to stay competitive—or in the Bears’ case, claw their way back to relevance.
Chicago Bears:
The Bears have been busy this offseason, beefing up both lines by adding guys like Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, Grady Jarrett, and Dayo Odeyingbo. Still, they’re not done. Left tackle is a big concern, especially with Braxton Jones still recovering from a nasty ankle injury. Expect them to target a tackle with the No. 10 pick, unless a top-tier defensive lineman is still on the board.
Detroit Lions:
Detroit’s defense took a beating in the playoffs against the Commanders, giving up 45 points—and now their DC, Aaron Glenn, is coaching the Jets. The biggest hole? Edge rusher. Aidan Hutchinson is coming back from a broken leg, and while he’s expected to bounce back strong, Marcus Davenport’s injury history makes him a risky bet. Don’t be surprised if the Lions lock in a pass rusher with their No. 28 pick.
Green Bay Packers:
The Packers made the postseason, but they want more. Their top needs are at cornerback and wide receiver. They’ve lost several corners this offseason, and Christian Watson is likely to miss a big chunk of the season with an ACL tear. That leaves Jordan Love needing more weapons. Expect Green Bay to look hard at those spots with picks No. 22 and 23.
Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings’ trenches crumbled late in the season, and they’re trying to fix that. They signed center Ryan Kelly, guard Will Fries, and defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Still, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is likely to go O-line or D-line again at pick No. 24 to shore things up.
Bottom line: The NFC North was elite last year, but each team knows they’ve still got work to do to keep up—or catch up. The draft could be a game-changer.
2025 Draft: NFC North Rivals Poised for Key Roster Enhancements
