During the month of August, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be breaking down every division in the league by position. This is the 2018 NFC North offensive breakdown. There is “the best” of each unit, followed by “the rest” in descending order.<\/p>\n
The Best: Green Bay Packers<\/a><\/p>\n The Rest: Detroit Lions<\/a>, Minnesota Vikings<\/a>, Chicago Bears<\/a><\/p>\n Aaron Rodgers<\/a><\/strong> is one of the most gifted athletes to ever play quarterback. While the NFC North has a ton of talent at the position, Rodgers stands above the rest of the group. He has shown the ability to bring out the best of his teammates and win his team games when needed. Despite breaking his collarbone and missing most of the 2017 season, Rodgers is the best quarterback in the division this season. He is a perennial Pro Bowler and All-Pro selection when he is healthy. Rodgers has also won two MVP awards throughout his career.<\/p>\n Matthew Stafford<\/strong><\/a> continues to be one of the most underrated players in the entire league. The arm talent that Stafford owns is absolutely absurd and unfair. He can throw the ball from any angle and place it on the money. Behind Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong> and Rodgers, Stafford has the best arm in the NFL, but only places second in his own division. Stafford has never had any sort of run game to help his offense, but Detroit is consistently in the top third of the league in passing offense. The former number one overall pick has been a star for an underwhelming team. With a better run game in place, the Lions could be in the playoffs this season.<\/p>\n The Vikings moved on from Case Keenum<\/a><\/strong>, Teddy Bridgewater<\/a><\/strong>, and Sam Bradford<\/a>.<\/strong> Now, Kirk Cousins<\/a><\/strong> is in charge of an offense that is loaded with talent. Cousins is arguably a top 10 or 12 quarterback in the league, and he has a contract to prove it. But again, the NFC North has great talent at the position. He is now in a position to succeed, with a better supporting cast than he had in Washington. Stefon Diggs<\/a><\/strong> and Adam Thielen<\/a><\/strong> form one of the best receiving duos in the league, and now they have a proven quarterback dishing them the ball. This is a Super Bowl or bust season in Minnesota, and Kirk Cousins<\/a><\/strong> better be ready for the challenge.<\/p>\n Chicago is in the midst of a complete rebuild. Last year, they traded up to grab their quarterback of the future in Mitch Trubisky<\/a><\/strong>. He had a relatively quiet rookie season, but there is still plenty to be excited about. He didn\u2019t exactly have much talent around him, so his numbers are unfair to gauge at this point. The Bears went out and signed Allen Robinson<\/a><\/strong> and Taylor Gabriel<\/a><\/strong>, then drafted Anthony Miller<\/a><\/strong> in April. Matt Nagy<\/strong>\u2019s offense should take a big step with Trubisky at the helm this season.<\/p>\n The Best: Chicago Bears<\/p>\n The Rest: Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n Jordan Howard<\/a><\/strong> took the league by storm when he finished second in rushing as a rookie in 2016. He ended last season sixth in rushing with 1,122 yards. The Bears also have Tarik Cohen<\/a><\/strong> in the backfield, and he is a perfect change-of-pace back. They have a power and speed combination that takes pressure off of Trubisky and the pass game. While there isn\u2019t a household name in the backfield, Chicago has the best complete unit in the division.<\/p>\n The injury to Dalvin Cook<\/a><\/strong> is a big reason why Minnesota is behind Chicago. Before the injury, Cook was on pace to win Rookie of the Year and become a star in the league. Instead, he was set back to square one before year two. Latavius Murray<\/a><\/strong> played well in his replacement duty, and he will be a vital piece to the offense in 2018. He is a great power option near the goal line, and he proved that with his eight touchdowns last season. Minnesota let Jerick McKinnon<\/a><\/strong> walk in free agency, but they have two rookies standing out in camp. Whether\u00a0Mike Boone<\/strong> or Roc Thomas<\/strong> wins the job as the third running back, the Vikings should be more than happy at the position in 2018.<\/p>\n Detroit hasn\u2019t had a 100-yard rusher since 2013, but they still rank ahead of the Packers. They brought in LeGarrette Blount<\/a><\/strong> in free agency and drafted Kerryon Johnson<\/strong><\/a> in the second round. They also have Ameer Abdullah<\/a><\/strong> and Theo Riddick<\/a><\/strong> still on the roster. So even though they don\u2019t have any clear-cut starter, they have a bundle of talent. Each of their options possesses a different skill set and they will find a way to utilize each of them.<\/p>\n The Packers have several options at running back, but none of them are serious threats to change the game. Ty Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> was a wide receiver that converted to the position after injuries depleted the roster at the position. He was decent at times but has lost the starting job to the two younger backs. Aaron Jones<\/a><\/strong> was looking like a nice weapon last season, but he has been suspended for the first two games this year for violating the league\u2019s substance abuse policy. Jamaal Williams<\/a><\/strong> will likely carry the load to start the season after rushing for 556 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. Green Bay will need better production in the run game if they want to make the playoffs in 2018.<\/p>\n The Best: Detroit Lions<\/p>\n The Rest: Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n This can really go either way. All four teams in the NFC North have a great receiving unit, but the nod goes to the Lions. Last season, Marvin Jones<\/a><\/strong> and Golden Tate<\/a><\/strong> both finished in the top 15 in receiving yards. Both of them finished with 1,000 or more yards and combined for 153 catches. Kenny Golladay<\/a><\/strong> is looking to have a big year after impressing last preseason, and he will likely play as the third wide receiver in that offense. T.J. Jones<\/a><\/strong> is another name to watch this season, but he will not be a big impact player by any means.<\/p>\n Stefon Diggs<\/a><\/strong> and Adam Thielen<\/a><\/strong> broke onto the scene in 2017 with Case Keenum<\/a><\/strong> at quarterback. With average quarterback play, the two combined for 2,125 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Now that they have Cousins slinging the ball, they can be even better. Beyond them, there are question marks. Laquon Treadwell<\/a> <\/strong>has been a bust up to this point, and he will need a big season to change the narrative on his career. Cousins has looked Treadwell\u2019s direction often in camp, so there is hope for the third-year receiver. The Vikings signed Kendall Wright<\/a><\/strong> in the off-season to play the slot for John DeFilippo<\/strong> and company.<\/p>\n As mentioned, the Bears made plenty of moves to address the wide receiver position. Last season, Kendall Wright<\/a><\/strong> led the team with just 614 receiving yards. However, Allen Robinson<\/a><\/strong> provided Mitch Trubisky with a number one receiver with a big body. Taylor Gabriel is set to be a deep threat that will open the middle of the field for Anthony Miller<\/a><\/strong> in the slot. The new additions will be huge for the Bears in 2018, and that offense will be worth keeping an eye on.<\/p>\n Somebody has to be last, and this is not an indictment on the Packers. The rest of the NFC North has incredible wide receivers, and so does Green Bay. Randall Cobb<\/a><\/strong> and Davante Adams<\/a><\/strong> form a dynamic duo for Aaron Rodgers, but they aren\u2019t quite on the level of Jones and Tate or Diggs and Thielen. The depth is also a concern for Green Bay. Geronimo Allison<\/a> <\/strong>and Trevor Davis<\/a><\/strong> have been nothing spectacular so far, which is why the Packers went all in on rookie receivers. J\u2019Mon Moore<\/strong>, Marquez Valdes-Scantling<\/strong>, and Equanimeous St. Brown<\/strong><\/a> are all expected to compete for a roster spot. There is so much talent in the division at wide receiver, and that will be great to watch in 2018 and beyond.<\/p>\n The Best: Chicago Bears<\/p>\n The Rest: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions<\/p>\n Chicago is absolutely loaded at tight end. Second-year breakout candidate Adam Shaheen<\/a><\/strong> is set to have a big year as a number two tight end. His ability to catch and run in space is top-notch, and Trubisky will see him open with the talent they have on the outside. They also signed Trey Burton<\/a><\/strong>, who spent the first four years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a>. Zach Miller<\/a><\/strong> is still on the roster, but his gruesome injury last season will force him to miss the entire season. The Bears have good pass catchers at tight end with speed and size that will make them a legitimate threat on offense.<\/p>\n Jimmy Graham<\/strong><\/a> signed with the Packers to give himself another shot to compete before his career is over. The potential of Graham and Rodgers is through the roof. The issue with Graham is his age and inability to block. He is limited in how much he can contribute, but he is a threat down the seam and in the middle of the field. Lance Kendricks<\/a><\/strong> and Marcedes Lewis<\/a><\/strong> are the backups to Graham, but Green Bay may look to some of the younger guys currently on the roster, especially if they value blocking at all. If not, they will have 30 years\u2019 worth of experience at the position.<\/p>\n The Vikings have a red zone stud in Kyle Rudolph<\/a><\/strong>. He has the franchise record for touchdowns by a tight end. David Morgan<\/a><\/strong> serves as the backup and primary blocking tight end. While he doesn\u2019t change the defense\u2019s game plan, Morgan is at least a serviceable tight end with a specific role. Minnesota drafted Tyler Conklin<\/strong><\/a> with the hopes of developing him into a vertical threat. However, he will not make much of an impact this season.<\/p>\n The Lions have no real threat at tight end whatsoever. Luke Willson<\/a><\/strong> is on the roster, but there are no other players at the position who have made a name in the league. Michael Roberts<\/a><\/strong> has four career catches, and Levine Toilolo<\/a><\/strong> has 74 catches in five seasons. Detroit has a great offense but a huge hole at tight end, which makes their trade of Eric Ebron<\/a> even more questionable.<\/p>\n The Best: Detroit Lions<\/p>\n The Rest: Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n The NFC North is great all over the offense, but the offensive lines are a different story. Detroit has an underrated unit with a lot of money invested in it. Their tackles are set with Taylor Decker<\/strong><\/a> and Ricky Wagner<\/a><\/strong>, keeping Stafford protected. They spent a high pick on rookie center Frank Ragnow<\/strong><\/a> to fortify the interior of the line. He joins Graham Glasgow<\/a><\/strong> and T.J. Lang<\/a><\/strong> to form a strong interior with great size and strength. Lang and Wagner both signed as free agents in 2017. The Lions made it clear that they wanted to keep Stafford healthy and create a run game. The Lions spent big money on two guys they hope can turn things around. Lang is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl winner from his time in Green Bay. He brings a winning mentality.<\/p>\n The Packers have also invested heavily in their offensive tackles. David Bakhtiari<\/a><\/strong> and Bryan Bulaga<\/strong> have been great when healthy, but they each missed significant time in 2017. The interior of the line is not nearly at the level of the Lions, but Corey Linsley<\/a><\/strong> is a good enough center to keep them at the two spot within the division. Injuries to the line are a big reason for the struggles Green Bay endured last season. A healthy year in 2018 will put them back in the hunt for a division title.<\/p>\n Chicago made an effort to revitalize the offensive line by drafting James Daniels<\/strong><\/a> in the second round. Daniels is versatile and can play all over the interior of the line, making him a great pickup for the Bears. Kyle Long<\/a><\/strong> is another great guard for Chicago. Long has been selected to three Pro Bowls in his first five seasons. However, the rest of the line is a bit shaky. Center Cody Whitehair<\/a><\/strong> has yet to prove himself in his first two seasons and Daniels may eventually be asked to move to center. Bobby Massie<\/a><\/strong> and Charles Leno<\/a><\/strong> are expected to start at the tackle spots, providing nothing special for the offense. Chicago is third simply because the two teams ahead of them have better tackles, and the league values that position more than interior lineman.<\/p>\n Injuries have already started to impact an already abysmal offensive line in Minnesota. Starting guard Nick Easton<\/a><\/strong> has already been lost for the season with a neck injury, and Pat Elflein<\/strong><\/a> has yet to play in the preseason with lingering injuries. While Elflein is a bright spot on the line, he needs to see the field soon or else the Vikings are in trouble. Mike Remmers<\/a><\/strong> is moving from tackle to guard to shore up the interior, meaning Rashod Hill<\/a><\/strong> will start at right tackle. Riley Reiff<\/a><\/strong> is set to start at left tackle, and he has been decent for the Vikings. On the whole, this is the worst unit in the division, and it could prevent Minnesota from winning the NFC North.<\/p>\n Be sure to have a look at the NFC North divisional breakdown on the defensive side of the ball<\/a>.<\/p>\nRunning Back<\/h2>\n
Wide Receiver<\/h2>\n
Tight End<\/h2>\n
Offensive Line<\/h2>\n