On Draft:
NFC North

By Matt Meier and John Scott Gibney
April 23, 2012

Happy Draft season football fans! To celebrate the annual April relevancy of the best sport in the land, Talk Sports / Drink Beer will be examining the needs and projected picks of EVERY SINGLE TEAM, one division per day, until Draft Day on April 26. Matt will play GM, detailing the needs of each club, and John Scott will play Scout, suggesting which prospects would be best, and where to draft them.

April 18: NFC East
April 19: AFC South
April 20 (hee-hee): AFC North
 April 21: NFC West
April 22: AFC West
April 23: NFC North

NFC North
 Divisional Drink: Guinness Extra Stout

Green Bay Packers (15-1 season, 0-1 playoffs)
Team Microbrew: Satisfaction Jacksin Double IPA (Ale Asylum)
Draft Picks: 1(28), 2(27), 3(27), 4(28), 4(37), 4(38), 5(28), 6(27), 7(17), 7(28), 7(34), 7(36)
Top Needs: Defense
Other Considerations: RB, O-Line, WR

Aaron Rogers truly did deserve MVP last year, because when you look at the list of needs on Green Bay’s roster, it’s rather unfathomable how they managed to win 13 straight games coming off a Super Bowl victory. Not only do they have the worst ranked defense in the NFL in total yards allowed, they also have the fifth worst ranked rushing offense. Lucky for them, they have more draft picks than any other team heading into the draft. Top priority is clearly defense all around, with secondary being the highest priority, but they’ll have to take what they can get with the 28th overall pick. They brought in Anthony Hargrove (Seattle) and Daniel Muir (Indianapolis) through free agency to aide the d-line, but neither fills the gap left by Cullen Jenkins after he was allowed to leave in free agency—they’ll certainly concern some three-technique DTs to play beside NT BJ Raji. However, even though there will be solid DT options for them at 28, finding a pass rushing OLB to take some of the heat off Clay Matthews would be far more beneficial and make their LB corps a true force to be reckoned with. Of course secondary would still be a major problem, and they have far less options there than they do in their front seven. At least four of their twelve picks should be used on defensive backs. DB is one of those positions that can never have too much depth and talent, and that’s doubly true for a team that allowed three hundred passing yards a game last year (a league worst). Similarly, you can never have enough offensive linemen, and after replacing Scott Wells with 36-year-old Jeff Saturday, they’ll definitely want to draft a center in the early rounds for when Saturday retires (which will likely happen in the next couple years).

John Scott Recommends:
Whitney Mercilus OLB – Illinois
If they’re looking for an OLB at pick 28, Mercilous would be a great fit. Probably the second best OLB in the draft, he’s coming off a breakout junior season and hopefully will take his hot hand to the pros.

John Scott's Sleeper pick:
Peter Konz C – Wisconsin
If they want to burn a first round on center, then Konz is the guy, no doubt.

Detroit Lions (10-6, best record since 1995; 0-1 in playoffs since 1999)
Team Microbrew: Dirty Bastard (Founders)
Draft Picks: 1(23), 2(22), 3(22), 4(22), 5(23), 7(12), 7(23)
Top Needs: CB, RB, WR
Other Considerations: OLB, OL, S

So apparently Matt Stafford is a pretty damn good QB when he’s healthy—who knew? Stafford’s return from back-to-back season-ending injuries helped Calvin Johnson have a breakout year, as well as tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Sheffler. Unfortunately, neither of their running backs panned out as Jahvid Best couldn’t shake his third concussion and Mikel Leshoure’s rookie season ended before it even began—the beginning of his next season may be in jeopardy as well after being arrested twice this past March for marijuana possession. With their top to rushers in rather precarious situations, it would behoove Detroit to explore running back options in the early middle rounds. The first round, however, should be reserved solely for defensive backs, of which Detroit needs quite a few. Trade talks for Asante Samuel fell apart rather quickly, which must have been due to cap-related issues because a fifth- or sixth-rounder would have been an absolute bargain to land a player that instantly upgrades a dire need. It’s possible that if the right CB isn’t available they end up going elsewhere, since OLB seems an area in need of an upgrade. Their d-line is stacked and they were fortunate to bring back MLB Stephen Tulloch coming off a highly successful one-year contract; it would be nice if they could give him some assistance on the outside. As stated before, I doubt they go RB in the first, but if you’re looking for an offensive sleeper pick (outside of o-line, which is kind of a go-to value pick for any team), WR may be it. Calvin Johnson is an absolute freak, and while Nate Burleson and last year’s second round pick Titus Young give sufficient options for a team that runs a two TE set, there may be a guy available who is just to good to pass up—Stephen Hill, perhaps? Johnson was drafted two years before Hill enrolled at Georgia Tech, but adding another Yellow Jacket receiver may create enough explosiveness on that offense that the holes in their secondary are no longer of concern.

John Scott Recommends:
Dre Kirkpatrick CB – Alabama
He’s the guy here. Dre is tall and can cover a lot of ground quickly, which makes many feel he is more suited to play free safety. Regardless, he brings talent to any secondary

John Scott's Sleeper pick:
Stephen Gilmore CB – South Carolina
I think he’ll be gone, but if not, he should go before Dre. I could also see Detroit snagging an o-lineman here. Cordy Glen would be a match.

Chicago Bears (9-7)
Team Microbrew: Daisy Cutter Pale Ale (Half Acre)
Draft Picks: 1(19), 2(18), 3(16), 4(16), 5(15), 6(14), 7(13)
Top Needs: A New O-Line
Other Considerations: D-Line, CB

It’s been kind of a mixed bag of an off-season for Jay Cutler. The QB is undoubtedly thrilled to be reunited with former Broncos teammate Brandon Marshall, who with Cutler in Denver set the NFL record for most receptions in a game (22). I’m sure Bears fans are equally stoked by the move as the team finally has their first legit receiving target since Marty Booker. They also brought in receivers Devin Thomas of the Giants and Eric Weems of Atlanta, both promising young receivers who can contribute right away. On the other hand, Chicago has done absolutely nothing to upgrade the worst o-line in the league for the past two years; and as much as I enjoy seeing Jay Cutler knocked on his ass, it’s starting to get a little ridiculous. Don’t be surprised if Chicago drafts lineman in back-to-back rounds of the draft, perhaps even more than once. If it weren’t for other defensive needs, they could probably use every single pick on their offensive line. Unfortunately, Julius Peppers can’t be the only one causing pressure on defense, and their only good CB, Charles Tillman, is 31 and on the decline of his career. I usually say that no team should draft on need alone, and that if the right CB is available at nineteen then they should take him. However, with such an atrocity of an o-line set to return, Chicago would be wiser to trade down rather than waste a first rounder on anything other than OL.

John Scott Recommends (2):
Stephen Gilmore CB – South Carolina
Well, Matt, I just happen to think that Gilmore will be that CB still around at 19, and Chicago will take him. Physical, 4.4 speed, and a ball-hawk.

John Scott's Sleeper pick:
Cordy Glenn OT – Georgia
There are a whole slew of offensive line guys that they could go for here if they decide to add to Cutler’s protection (no one wants to see Cutler pout on the sidelines with a “major” injury in a big championship game do we?) Cordy is just one of them.

Minnesota Vikings (3-13)
Team Microbrew: Schell's Deer Brand American Lager
Draft Picks: 1(3), 2(3), 3(3), 4(3), 4(33), 4(39), 5(3), 6(5), 7(3), 7(16)
Top Needs: LT, WR, DB
Other Considerations: LB, more O-line

Yes, Minnesota needs to give Christian Ponder some passing weapons to aid him through his second year. Yes, their defense, especially their secondary, needs some major help after ranking second to last in points allowed per game. No, the Vikings should not consider anyone other than Matt Kalil. I’m sure JS will agree with me on this one, but LT is too important a need to pass on, especially when an NFL ready guy like Kalil is sitting there waiting for you at pick three. Leslie Frazier recently came out saying that LT is not a “game-changer” position, and that CB Morris Claiborne and WR Justin Blackmon are just as likely options for Minnesota with their first pick—they would even trade down if another team is interested. Although Frazier may have seniority over me when it comes to his football knowledge, I say with all do respect that such a comment is straight fucking stupid. LT isn’t a game changer? Really? So I guess Jason Peters’ wasn’t a game changer for the Eagles as he paved the way for Shady McCoy’s breakout season, and that the entire city of Philadelphia was overreacting to his season-ending injury this off-season because that’s just what we do. I guess the hit that knocked Jay Cutler out for the season and effectively ended Chicago’s playoff hopes had nothing to do with poor blocking, especially from the LT protecting his blindside. I guess it’s just a coincidence that Donovan McNabb’s career suddenly plummeted down the shitter once he started playing for teams that ranked in the bottom of the league in pass protection, teams like the Minnesota Vikings. I would continue here, but what do I know? I’m just a writer and fan of the game. It’s not like I’m a former defensive coordinator who has won only six of sixteen games since being promoted to head coach. I’m sure Leslie knows what he’s doing.

John Scott Recommends:
Matt Kahil OT – USC
I got your back, Matt. Kahil is far and away the best offensive lineman in the draft. And his addition gives Ponder much more help than the addition of Blackmon. Ponder needs to feel confident that he has time to make all the throws. Kahil gives him that and more.

John Scott's Sleeper pick:
Oh, hush. Blackmon could hear his name called here but it would be a mistake.

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