The 2023 NFC North draft grades are in! Since 2008 upon Favre’s departure from the Packers, there has not been a bigger off-season for the NFC North. With Rodgers traded mere days before the NFL Draft the throne is vacated and each team now has their chance to submit their claim to be king of the north. While the Packers give the keys to Love, they still have to contend with the team that won the division last year in the Vikings. Chicago seems to have finally found their quarterback and yet the Lions are making a push to restore the roar. All teams with drastically different needs head into this draft looking to find the players that will bring the x factor they need to contend for the crown. The 2023 NFC North draft grades may reflect who has an early edge in this race.
2023 NFC North Draft Grades
Chicago Bears
Grade: B+
Players Added
1(10): Darnell Wright, OT Tennessee
2(53): Gervon Dexter, DL Florida
2(56): Tyrique Stevenson, CB Miami
3(64): Zacch Pickens, DT South Carolina
4(115): Roschon Johnson, RB Texas
4(133): Tyler Scott, WR Cincinnati
5(148): Noah Sewell, LB Oregon
5(165): Terrell Smith, CB Minnesota
7(218): Travis Bell, DT Kennesaw State
7(258): Kendall Williamson, DB Stanford
Day One
While many had different ideas of how the Bears could attack the first round, they ended up trading down with Philadelphia for a small return. The Eagles drafted Jalen Carter and if he ends up being a top player the Bears could be eating crow for a long time. Be that as it may, the Bears got a great one with their selection. Darnell Wright has proven he can dominate on either side of the offensive line. His tape against Will Anderson Jr. should be enough to quiet any uncertainty of the pick but the mentality and nastiness he plays with will soon make him a fan favorite. Poles being a former offensive lineman himself has likely identified something in this young prospect. Wright could be protecting Fields for the next decade.
Day Two
Gervon Dexter was the perfect start the Bears needed to help solidify their defensive line. While the draft and free agency of the year prior has addressed the back seven of this defense, the trenches have fallen from when they had Mack, Hicks, and then Quinn coming off the edge. Dexter is a beast but he needs to improve on his consistency in his play. He flashes being an absolute game wrecker multiple times during a game but at times can disappear. As Eberfluss attempts to build a unit similar to the one that got him the head coaching job, Dexter could prove to be a vital part of that.
Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are the starters in this unit but adding Tyrique Stevenson to the mix will help keep them fresh. He likely will just have to come on the field in nickel situations to help get his feet wet but he does show great skill at staying with receivers down the field. His interception total may not reflect his ability to play the ball but he is great at knocking down passes that come his way. Stevenson is a versatile player who could even earn his keep playing special teams early on.
With the first pick in the second round the Bears took a bit of a reach grabbing Zacch Pickens but it does address an area of need for them. For a prospect his size he runs a great forty yard dash in the 4.48 range. Pairing him next to Gervon Dexter will bolster this defensive front making it easier for the back seven to do their job. As Love and his athletic ability are yet to be seen, having two pocket statues in the division(Cousins and Goff) Pickens can use his speed to push them off their mark and fluster them. Pickens may have been a bit of a reach at this pick but it does fill a desperate need for this Bears team.
Day Three
Roschon Johnson was an absolute steal in the fourth round as he will be the perfect change of pace back. His physical style of play will make him a fan favorite early even if he is behind Herbert and Foreman. Tyler Scott will push Velus Jones Jr. for the forth receiving role in this offense. This Bears offense just got faster as both players have great speed and acceleration.
Terrell Smith and Kendall Williamson will be great depth pieces on the back end. Smith has solid ball skills while Williamson plays with electrifying physicality. Travis Bell provides a rotational piece among the trenches and Noah Sewell could be a stud as he has previously shown the promise of being. Both have a great motor and the football character coaches want in the locker room. Both of these later rounders help pad their 2023 NFC North draft grade in the later rounds.
Bottom Line
The Bears faced a difficult position in this draft having the first overall pick. While they navigated a fleece trading down to nine, they continued to accumulate value as the draft continued. Poles did not get cornered into players and drafted by need. He did however in essence give up Jalen Carter for a forth round pick so for that, they are downgraded as it could be another gargantuan draft day mistake by the Bears. The Bears still come in second overall for their 2023 NFC North draft grade.
Detroit Lions
Grade: C
Players Added
1(12): Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Alabama
1(18): Jack Campbell, LB Iowa
2(34): Sam LaPorta, TE Iowa
2(45): Brian Branch, S Alabama
3(68): Hendon Hooker, QB Tennessee
3(96): Brodric Martin, DT Western Kentucky
5(152): Colby Sorsdal, OT William & Mary
7(219): Antoine Green, WR North Carolina
Day One
While Gibbs was drafted at least ten spots too early, no one can deny his talent. He has Alvin Kamara like upside. Not only does Gibbs show great promise as a pass catcher out of the backfield, he also demonstrates a contact balance not expected from his slim frame. He has great start and stop control as well as being extremely elusive in space. With Swift gone Gibbs could really do some damage when Montgomery needs a breather.
Jack Campbell the player was great, the spot that he was taken was not. The Lions could have easily waited until the second day to grab this linebacker out of Iowa. However they took a swing and got him in the mid first round. Campbell is a downhill linebacker that will likely be responsible for containing the dangerous runners in the division such as Jones, Cook, and Fields. He communicates well with his teammates and can quarterback his defense. His ability to drop in coverage is underrated and he could prove to be an all around great value in retrospect.
Day Two
The Lions raised many eyebrows the second night of the NFL Draft when they decided to draft LaPorta over Mayer. Many considered Mayer a borderline first round pick. One would be hard pressed to find anyone who had the tight ends ranked in a way that reflects this. However, Dan Campbell was once a tight end himself and he has some method to the madness. While the debate is still ongoing for who has the best college for producing receivers at the next level, Iowa currently has the best argument for producing tight ends. LaPorta will look to add his name amongst those who came before him.
After an unpredictable first couple of early picks, the Lions managed to possibly get one of the best values in the entire draft snagging Brian Brach out of Alabama. A great all around prospect, Branch will likely play opposite of Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and could be the difference that the Lions need after a historically poor year from their defense. Branch has a high football IQ which makes him an easy plug and play early in the season. He has all the intangibles to be a ball hawking safety on the backend.
Final Rounds (More Day Two & Day Three)
While much was been made of Hendon Hooker being a potential first round pick he fell to the third round in the NFL draft ending up behind Jared Goff. While Goff has not played at an elite level for most of his career, last year was as close to the exception as he may come. Hooker could prove to be a potential successor yet he is currently the same age as Goff was when Goff started in a super bowl. On top of that he is still a year removed from an ACL injury that will push his time back further taking the field. While he may not be the star they are searching for, he good be a quality backup for Goff.
In the final rounds Brodic Martin and Colby Sorsdal reinforce the trenches on both sides of the ball. Martin is a tank at defensive tackle that has the ability to simply overpower the opposition. Sorsdal is nimble on his feet as well as extremely physical. Both play Campbells style of football. Taking a flyer on Green could get them through the Williams suspension.
Bottom Line
The Lions deserve bad grade; they really do. When looking at the haul of players they got however, its beginning to make sense. Trading down with the Cardinals initially improved their stock and while they did ignore higher graded players at times, they made up for it with their later picks. The trade of Swift provides a clear path for Gibbs and every player fits exactly the style of football they want to play. While they did this at the neglect of higher talent on the board however they end with a slightly below average for their 2023 NFC North draft grade.
Green Bay Packers
Grade: A-
Players Added
1(13): Lukas Van Ness, EDGE Iowa
2(42): Luke Musgrave, TE Oregon State
2(50): Jayden Reed, WR Michigan State
3(78): Tucker Kraft, TE South Dakota State
4(116): Colby Wooden, DE Auburn
5(149): Sean Clifford, QB Penn State
5(159): Dontayvion Wicks, WR Virginia
6(179): Karl Brooks, DT Bowling Green
6(207): Anders Carlson, K Auburn
7(232) Carrington Valentine, CB Kentucky
7(235) Lew Nichols III, RB Central Michigan
7(242) Anthony Johnson Jr., S Iowa State
7(256) Grant DuBose, WR Charlotte
Day One
Lukas Van Ness brings the right mentality and physicality to this Green Bay defense. Playing in Iowa he is no stranger to the colder weather. Van Ness should thrive in his natural element. While many Packers fans wanted a splash in the early part of the draft, Green Bay drafted a blue-chip player who will wreak havoc opposite Rashawn Gary. His arm length and agility can help corral more mobile quarterbacks. That trait also gives him a leg up on the statue quarterbacks within his division(Cousins, Goff). Van Ness is still slightly raw as a prospect and will need some coaching. Regardless, he should be a great pick that could bring a terror to opposing quarterbacks. Van Ness is a type of player Green Bay has missed since Clay Mathews.
Day Two
Luke Musgrave could bring stability to the tight end position that Packer fans have been craving for years. His speed and athleticism could make him a useful weapon for first-year starter Jordan Love. He does need to improve when it comes to his blocking which could take him off the field in key situations. Musgrave needs to improve on his catch radius given his frame, especially with his limited blocking ability. If he can stay healthy and improve upon his weaknesses, Love could have a safety blanket in this athletic tight end.
Jayden Reed is a speed demon that may get his chance on special teams early. With second-year players Watson and Doubs, Reed steps into a low pressure situation. He can come onto the field in a slot role and let the other two open up space for him to work. Reed does suffer from concentration drops at times but at times can make perfect back shoulder catches. While his physicality and contested catch success rate leave a bit to be desired, Reed will fill into the role that MVS formerly had on this offense.
Tucker Kraft is extremely deceiving to watch as he appears to have the maneuverability of a ocean liner, yet he can rack up yards after catch like its nothing. His large frame could help Love find him and fellow rookie Musgrave over the middle when he gets in trouble. While both have medical concerns, they both possess big play potential. This cast of young talent around Jordan Love is beginning to fill out very nicely which helps their 2023 NFC North draft grade tremendously.
Day Three
Wooden and Brooks add key pieces along the defensive line. Valentine and Johnson Jr. do the same for the defensive backfield. Wooden is a versatile player whose greatest asset is his speed while Brooks brings an unexpected amount of finesse for a big guy. Wicks could be a special teams ace and perhaps compete for a lower level receiving role on the offense. Nichols could give the Pack the freedom to move on from either Jones or Dillon. Likely he would take over for Dillon as he runs with a similar style as an absolute bruiser. Sean Clifford has proven he can be a system quarterback. Anders Carlson could allow the Packers to move on from Mason Crosby in the near future.
Bottom Line
The Packers could have went a different route in the first rounds but they continued to use their age old strategy of drafting by talent first. Being those needs were addressed, this draft was arguably the best in the north regardless of how flashy it was. A mix of young play makers to ensure Love is not going to be in over his head. This combined with the help they needed defensively to stay competitive could have this Packers team not missing a beat in their adjustment to life without Rodgers. They finish with the highest 2023 NFC North draft grade.
Minnesota Vikings
Grade: D+
1(23): Jordan Addison, WR USC
3(102): Mekhi Blackmon, CB USC
4(134): Jay Ward, CB LSU
5(141): Jaquelin Roy, DT LSU
5(164): Jaren Hall, QB BYU
7(222): DeWayne McBride, RB UAB
Day One
Jordan Addison was the only receiver that some mock did no have coming off the board first. Addison’s talent is nothing to sneeze at as he knows how to manipulate a defense with his elite route running and body control at the point of the catch. While he dealt with injuries in college, durability may be a concern. His level of play at Pittsburgh was far and above what he produced at USC he still proved to be an elite separator. While he carves out his role on offense, he could contribute early to special teams as he has proven he does well with returning punts. He will serve as a terrific compliment to Jefferson and provide Cousins with an additional weapon on the outside.
Day Two
The biggest takeaway from Minnesota’s off-season was the apparent need to address the defense after being embarrassed by a Jeff Saturday led Colts team, without their best offensive player, hanging thirty on the Vikings defense. Blackmon may have a smaller frame, but he makes up for it in his physicality in press coverage and in the run game. This physicality led him to get a little handsy however and he can be prone to penalties. He also has a bad tendency of trying to use his strength to tackle as opposed to his technique. The questions around him refining his game led to him earning a grade as a lower round player. The fact the Vikings reached on him now ramps up expectations that he may not be able to deliver on.
Day Three
Jay Ward and Jaqueline Roy could be depth pieces but they may be thrown to the wolves early. Ward is a Brian Flores player to a T with his physical style of play. Roy is a good run defender and he will help stop the bleeding for this Vikings team. Jaren Hall is a pick that could be a solid back up for the Vikings as well as McBride. Hall is a dual threat quarterback who could give this offense a chance to run a few packages utilizing a skill set different than Cousins. McBride is a player who seeks out contact opting to lay a hit rather than be hit. If he can get his fumbling issues under control, he could push Mattison for playing time with Dalvin Cooks status up in the air.
Bottom Line
While Vikings fans became enamored with the idea of drafting a rookie quarterback, they settled for a skill position player in the first round. While the prospect they picked will be a blue-chip player for their offense, they took him at the expense of adding to their defense. After the exodus the Vikings had this offseason losing multiple players, the biggest need for this team by far was their defense. The defense was not the only one to suffer as hometown hero Adam Thielen was also a cap casualty.
While Addison will likely be better than Thielen was for this team last year, they threw away a first round pick by drafting a need they created for themselves. As their other needs were not properly addressed later in the draft, the Vikings must now rely on their offense to be explosive every single week. This draft strategy may blow up in their face. They finish dead last for their 2023 NFC North draft grade.
Main Image: Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
