2009 NFC North Draft Review

Chicago Bears








The Chicago Bears have drafted four Pro Bowl players the last five
years, more than any other team. Two draft choices that may be in the
mix from the class of 2009 are Jarron Gilbert and Marcus Freeman.
Gilbert has all the tools to be a defensive line standout. Freeman’s quest
for the Pro Bowl will be delayed with the signing of free agent Pisa
Tinoisamoa, however, the talent is there. Jerry Angelo drafted three
wide receivers and a tight end to add more depth and competition to the
star poor Bear pass catchers. Jarron Gilbert is a versatile athlete that
will get a chance at both defensive tackle and defensive end. He looks
the part and has a tremendous amount of God-given talent. If he plays
with mental and physical toughness, the Bears can hit big with his
ability. Juaquin Iglesias will get every chance to get into the receiver
rotation with his combination of outstanding hands and quick feet. He
is athletic after catch with his good faking and cutting ability. More of a
possession receiver than a deep threat, he also has kickoff return ability.
Henry Melton is a developmental defensive end that started one year
each at defensive end and fullback. He flashes first step quickness to
burst up the field. Melton is a raw project with interesting tools. Corner
D.J. Moore is an average athlete with rare leaping ability. He has fringe
size and speed for the position. He will struggle in match ups with big
slot receivers. What gives him a chance to play in the league are his
playmaking ability and his ball skills. He will battle for a dime corner
position. Johnny Knox is an explosive small college receiver that is a
smooth and fluid route runner. A developmental type receiver, he will
have a chance to make the team with his skills and measurables. Outside
linebacker Marcus Freeman is the sleeper of the Bears’ draft. He has
experience at both the strong and weak side linebacker positions. He is
buried on the depth chart with the addition of veteran Pisa Tinoisamoa.
A smooth and fluid athlete, he has range, speed, and tackling ability. For
Al Afalava to make the team he will need to continue to be a physical
player and a solid tackler. He has played both free and strong safety. He
is athletic enough to contribute on special teams’ coverage. Lance Louis
played right tackle and started eleven games, but the Bears may use him
as a run blocking tight end. He is athletic with straight line speed for the
guard, tackle, or tight end position. He is a developmental player as a
run blocker and pass protector. Louis was drafted off a good spring pro day.
Derek Kinder was the third of three receivers drafted by the Bears and is
probably headed to the practice squad. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.




FREE AGENCY: Bear fans hit a huge quinella by signing Pro Bowl
quarterback Jay Cutler and veteran offensive tackle Orlando Pace on
the same day. Cutler has all the physical tools to be the greatest Bear
quarterback ever. Pace is a seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle that, in his
prime, was one of the best offensive linemen in the league over the past
two decades. Josh Bullocks and Glenn Earl will compete with Steltz
and Payne at safety. Frank Omiyale was signed to start at left guard.
Kevin Shaffer will be the swing tackle behind Pace and Chris Williams.







Detroit Lions








New general manager Martin Mayhew got his quarterback of the future,
but surprised NFL insiders by pulling the trigger on Brandon Pettigrew,
the top tight end in the draft. Most experts had the Lions selecting a
middle linebacker at number twenty, but Pettigrew helps the team in a
multitude of ways, not the least by upgrading the edge and double team
blocking. Matthew Stafford has been getting equal repetitions with
Daunte Culpepper during organized team activities. The Lions liked
several things about their first pick in the draft, but his knowledge of
the offense and carryover from the first meetings prior to the draft
impressed the Detroit brass. His leadership ability and strong arm have
also been on display this spring. Brandon Pettigrew is talented enough
to be the first of the class of 2009 to make the Pro Bowl. He’s an
athletic big target that can seal the edge as a blocker. He will immediately
help upgrade the Lions’ running game and give the quarterbacks a viable
target. He catches the ball in his hands and has good run after catch
ability. Louis Delmas was the top free safety on many teams’ boards
and will immediately have a chance to move into a starting role. Strong
and active in his play, he takes good angles in run support and breaking
on a thrown ball. He is mentally and physically tough and will also help
upgrade the special teams. DeAndre Levy is an athletic linebacker that
can run. He will need more strength to take on blocks and must improve
his hand and arm use to separate from blockers. He has talent to
contribute early on special teams. Derrick Williams is a developmental
player with versatility. He is an explosive and elusive talent that will
contribute as a kick returner. He is quicker than fast and has a chance to
make the team as a fourth receiver and special teams’ player. Sammie
Lee Hill adds depth at nose tackle. The developmental project has
measurables and some pro physical skills. He will need technique work
in every phase of his game. Aaron Brown played running back at TCU
but has a special talent to return kickoffs. If he is to make the team,
special teams will be his ticket. Lydon Murtha is an angular offensive
tackle with outstanding athletic ability. He had the top athletic workout
at the Combine of all 47 linemen. He will need more bulk and strength
to make the team. Zack Follett is a high motor player with good
instincts and decent athletic ability. He is physical attacking blockers
and has good toughness at the point of attack. He will get a shot at Sam
linebacker. Dan Gronkowski is a competitive and smart tight end with
good athletic ability. He plays with determination and toughness. He
should have a shot to make the team as a run blocking tight end. GRADE:
ABOVE AVERAGE.




FREE AGENCY: Outside linebacker Julian Peterson is the prize of the
free agency signees. The former Pro Bowler came in a trade for Cory
Redding with Seattle. Bryant Johnson was signed to give the Lions an
option opposite Calvin Johnson. Phillip Buchanon, Eric King, and
Anthony Henry shore up a non-productive secondary. Grady Jackson
will give Jim Schwartz a run stuffer that will play in a rotation. Running
back Maurice Morris will back up Kevin Smith. Athletic Ronald Curry
was added for receiver depth.







Green Bay Packers








With Green Bay’s move to the 3-4 defense, it was not unexpected to
draft a big nose tackle and an outside pass rushing linebacker. The
Packers attacked their top three position needs by drafting two players
at each position. Two offensive tackles were added to compete for
Mark Tauscher’s right tackle spot and prepare for Chad Clifton’s
unrestricted status in 2010. Competition for Mason Crosby in camp
may still be on the agenda with all the veteran kickers on the street.
Fullbacks Korey Hall and John Kuhn will be pushed by Quinn Johnson,
a fifth round pick. Free agency added depth at center and safety. B.J.
Raji was projected to be the Packers’ nose tackle, but is getting work at
left end as new defensive coordinator Dom Capers is sorting through
who does what best. The 3-4 defense is a lot different in regards to
responsibilities up front. Ryan Pickett is at nose tackle. Cullen Jenkins
is getting most of the reps at right end in the organized team activities.
Justin Harrell, Johnny Jolly, Mike Montgomery, and Jarius Wynn are
all battling for spots in the front rotation. Raji, if he stays at end, will be
a run stuffer first before rushing the passer. His job will be absorbing
blockers and stacking the running lanes. Clay Matthews will be
competing for an outside linebacker position opposite Aaron Kampman.
The transition to a 3-4 will require Matthews to drop into coverage and
rush the passer, depending on formations, motions, and shifting. The
quicker he learns and picks things up, the quicker he’ll get on the field.
T.J. Lang will be in the mix first at right tackle in the Packs’ search to
replace Mark Tauscher. He’s aggressive, competitive, and intense in his
play. As a mauler he is tough and smart and may eventually land at
guard. Quinn Johnson is a West Coast offensive type fullback that is
a blocker first and foremost. He delivers some hip snap when lead
blocking against the linebackers. He must compete on special teams if
he is to beat out incumbent Korey Hall who had a strong year in 2008.
Jamon Meredith has the talent to start at either guard or tackle on the
Packers’ offensive line. A steal in the fifth round, he’s a good athlete
with long arms and good hip flexibility. He is aggressive and finishes run
plays. Meredith has quick feet to shuffle in pass protection. He needs
some technique work but has raw tools. Jarius Wynn was a free agent
on most teams’ boards, but has some tools to develop on the practice
squad. He caught the Packers’ eye with two sacks in the Capital One
Bowl game against Michigan State. He started seven games in his two
year career at Georgia. Brandon Underwood is a big corner that also
played safety in college. He will get a good look as a press corner. He
has the ability to turn and run quickly in coverage. He has tools and
talent to make the team if he becomes more disciplined. Brad Jones
played outside linebacker in the Buffs’ 3-4 defense and is a natural fit
for the Packers’ transition to the 3-4. He was athletic and productive during
his career. He was not invited to the Combine, but his running a sub-4.55
forty in the spring got him drafted. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.




FREE AGENCY: Center Duke Preston was signed as an insurance policy
against Scott Wells’ injury history. Anthony Smith adds depth at safety.
Defensive tackle Colin Cole was the biggest loss, signing with the Seahawks.







Minnesota Vikings








The Minnesota Vikings will be the odds on favorite to win the
NFL North Division and advance to the Super Bowl tournament
in January. The biggest question mark currently surrounding the
Purple and Gold’s camp is who will be the man under center in
September. The Brett Favre rumors are falling faster in the Twin
Cities than snowflakes in a December snowstorm. If Favre’s
shoulder problems are behind him, he will be a welcomed addition
by some factions. If he doesn’t play, free agent Sage Rosenfels
will be the trigger man to lead the Vikes to the playoffs. Whoever
the quarterback is, he will line up with weapons like Adrian
Peterson, Chester Taylor, Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin, and one
of the best defenses in the NFL. Percy Harvin is a dynamic
playmaker with rare speed and run after catch ability. He
possesses natural receiving skills and is an open field threat as a
receiver, running back, or return specialist. He is a big play waiting
to happen every time he touches the ball. A future Pro Bowl
player, he is high maintenance with an injury history. Harvin,
Bernard Berrian, and Adrian Peterson will put a lot of pressure on
opponents in the fall. Phil Loadholt is the Vikings’ answer to the
gaping hole at right tackle. Good athletic ability for a huge man,
he’s a mauler that is strong on down blocks. He lacks a left tackle’s
foot quickness, but once he gets his hands on a defender, he can
dominate his opponent. He positions and walls off pass rushers.
Asher Allen is shorter than ideal, but will compete for the nickel
corner position. He has good hip flexibility with good tackling
and coverage skills. A smart and instinctive player, he will
contribute on special teams’ coverage. Jasper Brinkley is the
sleeper of the Vikings’ draft. He is playing in a 4-3 scheme unlike
the 3-4 he played in college, so he must make some adjustments.
However, he is a physical downhill athlete that can work upfield
and stack a play at the line of scrimmage. He fills the running
lanes with mass and explosiveness. He is strong in his arms and
shoulders to control a center’s block. Jamarca Sanford is an
active and productive tackler. He will compete for a backup position
behind Tyrell Johnson. Quick to read and react on balls in front
of him, he is physically tough and aggressive. He plays with
intensity and should contribute on all special teams’ coverage.
He plays with confidence and could become a major draft surprise.
GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.




FREE AGENCY: The Vikings’ biggest off-season move was the
trade for underrated quarterback Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels is
big and athletic and has experience in the West Coast offense.
Two other moves include wide receiver/kick returner Glenn Holt
and corner Karl Paymah. Minnesota released two aging veterans,
Matt Birk and Darren Sharper.