Critical Selections For Vikings, NFC North Opponents

The journey begins with the first step, and for the Minnesota Vikings, that means continuing the advantage they have over the rest of the NFC North.

They earned the top spot last year as a result of their 13-4 record that allowed them to win the division with relative ease. A little over a year ago, this seemed like a pipe dream, because the Green Bay Packers had been the best team in the division for years and it didn’t look like anything would change that.

If any other team managed to find its way into first place, it was likely due to a Green Bay hiccup, and it would be for one year only. But the team that has had Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers as its 2 primary signal callers since 1992 has shifted gears. The Packers are trying hard to get rid of Rodgers and turn the team over to Jordan Love. Their identity has changed dramatically, and it is not likely to be that of a first-place team.

The Chicago Bears are in the beginning stages of a complete rebuild, and they will be much better than the team that went 3-14 last season and finished with the worst record in the league. They have plenty of cash to spend and a boatload of draft picks.

Much better could mean 6-11, 7-10 or 8-9 in the 2023 season. They are ready to lay the foundation for the future under general manager Ryan Poles, but they will not be able to string important wins together. That could come as early as 2024, but it won’t happen this season.

The Lions are on their way, and in many ways they are similar to the Vikings. They have some notable offensive weapons in quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jamaal Williams and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, but their defense gave up more yards than any other team in the league. They may be one great draft away from competing on even terms with the Vikings.

Yes, we’re talking about the Detroit Lions.

With these scenarios as the backdrop, here’s a look at what each of the 4 NFC North teams could do with their first-round picks in the NFL Draft, beginning April 27.

Detroit Lions, No. 6 pick (from Los Angeles Rams): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

Gonzalez is the best cornerback in the draft and he combines height, athleticism and skill that is found in only the most elite at his position. Gonzalez has the class and drive to become a star player. At 6-1 3/8 and 197 pounds, he is nearly a finished product when covering the best receivers. No defensive back in this draft is as equipped to cover the fastest receivers in the league as Gonzalez. He simply has brilliant speed and quickness along with positional know-how.

Gonzalez had 11 passes defensed and 4 interceptions for the Ducks along with 50 tackles. While he looks a bit thin, his tackling skills will enable him to take on bigger running backs and drop them with authority. While he will get better in all areas with experience, he is ready to step in and upgrade the Lions secondary from the start.

Chicago Bears, No. 9 pick (from Carolina Panthers): Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

This has to be the way for the Bears to go even though they have multiple areas of need. The key to their future at this point is quarterback Justin Fields, and while he is one of the most gifted athletes in the league, they must find a way to protect him if he is going to become a winner. Skoronski, 6-4 and 313 pounds, is the best offensive lineman in the draft.

Remember, the Bears don’t have to force anything. Their long-suffering fans know that 2023 is a rebuilding year. Protecting Fields with the best blockers is the ideal way to go about this task.

Green Bay Packers, No. 15 pick: Jordan Addison, WR, USC

This first-round selection is not as clear-cut as it is for the Lions or Bears. The Packers could opt to go for a tight end like Michael Mayer of Notre Dame, but a game-changing wideout like Addison is the better choice.

Addison is the second-best wideout in the draft behind Ohio State’s Jaxson Smith-Njigba. Checking in at 5-11 1/8 and 173 pounds, Addison is somewhat on the small side. He has game-changing quickness which will allow him to separate from defenders on medium- and long-range pass patterns. He has excellent hands, superior change of direction and a hunger to produce in the red zone.

Prior to excelling for the Trojans, he was a dynamic performer for Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Panthers. He is the only receiver in the draft with 3,000 or more career receiving yards.

Minnesota Vikings, No. 23 pick: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is in a critical position because the Vikings must address their defensive needs after getting exposed throughout the 2022 season. But the Vikings did not re-up with Kirk Cousins in the offseason, and this could be his last year with the team. Drafting Hooker could allow them to make an effective transition at the most important position in 2024.

Hooker should be fully recovered from his ACL injury at the start of the upcoming season. He is a quarterback with a brilliant delivery that combines timing, trajectory, strength and pacing. It is difficult to find a quarterback who throws a better looking ball than Hooker. In addition to his size – 6-3 ¼, 217 pounds – Hooker will be the first one in the locker room and the last one to leave. Smarter than others at the position, he is also the hardest working.

The Vikings must prepare for the future and Hooker gives them the opportunity to do so if they opt to protect the quarterback position.