Grading The NFC North’s 2026 Draft Classes

There’s little question about the Bears’ offensive prowess. However, after being just one year removed from a surprise trip to the playoffs, the defending NFC North champions still feel like a defense away from being true Super Bowl contenders. It’s easy to see the vision on offense, and even if they miss on one or two of their skill position additions, that group is in fine shape. Defensively, it’s easy to argue that they got better in the secondary and added needed depth in other spots on the depth chart. Still, with the lack of movement when it comes to a much-needed pass rusher, it’s fair to wonder how impactful this class will be in the long term. 2026 was the first time in over a decade that the Bears weren’t selecting in the Top 10, but their plan was far more in question than their draft positioning. All in all, they did OK, and if they come away with plus-starters at safety and center, there will be a level of success that warrants acknowledgment. That said, the remainder of Day 2 and some of their upside Day 3 selections will make-or-break this class in the end.

Favorite Pick: S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)

Coming into the draft, the Bears had a handful of needs, but none were bigger than safety and defensive end. While they weren’t able to deliver on the latter of their two top needs, being able to add Thieneman at No. 25 overall was one of the better values in Day 1. Thieneman was not expected to hang around this long, and, aside from positional value, it’s easy to make an argument for him being a Top 15 player in this class. More importantly, his addition brings much-needed versatility to the Bears’ secondary and someone who should complement headlining free agent addition Coby Bryant very well. Turnover rates are rarely sustainable year-to-year, but Chicago was able to get faster, rangier, and nastier with their new starting duo of Bryant and Thieneman.

Riskiest Pick: WR Zavion Thomas (LSU)

Any time a team goes rogue by selecting a borderline undrafted free agent on Day 2 of the draft, there are going to be questions. Despite a four-year college career, Thomas was never a top pass-catching option at Mississippi State or LSU. While his 4.28 40 opened some eyes, he does not look like a natural pass-catcher on tape and lacks the nuances in his game that would make most receivers successful. It’s easy to say “trust Ben Johnson,” but as we’ve learned, even the smartest minds in football make mistakes. Bears fans are just hoping this isn’t Velus Jones Jr. 2.0.

Pick That Could Surprise: CB Malik Muhammad (Texas)

For as confusing as Day 2 was in Chicago, Day 3 brought back some hope for this class with a trio of defensive picks. The first of which was Muhammad, who fits well into defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s scheme. Regarded as a sure-fire Day 2 pick by most, Muhammad dropped to the middle of Round 4, which allowed the Bears to trade up five spots to secure him. On the surface, some development is needed, but given their losses in free agency, Muhammad should challenge for playing time on Day 1. In contrast, he pushes Tyrique Stevenson to play opposite Jaylon Johnson for playing time.

Notable Undrafted Free Agents: iOL Caden Barnett (Wyoming), S Skyler Thomas (Oregon State), QB Miller Moss (Louisville), and LS Beau Garner (Georgia).

Detroit Lions (A-)

Round 1 (#17): OT Blake Miller (Clemson)

Round 2 (#44): DE Derrick Moore (Michigan)

Round 4 (#118): LB Jimmy Rolder (Michigan)

Round 5 (#157): CB Keith Abney Jr. (Arizona State)

Round 5 (#168): WR Kendrick Law (Kentucky)

Round 6 (#205): DT Skyler Gill-Howard (Texas Tech)

Round 7 (#222): DT Tire West (Tennessee)

If you had told Lions fans five years ago that a (9-8) finish would have been labeled as a “disappointment”, most would have taken that as a sign of good things to come. Realistically, the Lions were a much more talented team than they showed a year ago. Still, injuries and an overall lack of consistency from week to week led to a fourth-place finish in the division just one year after winning 15 games in the regular season. Like the rest of the teams in the division, they lacked cap flexibility, which led to a mild free-agent period.

Coming into the draft, Detroit’s needs were clear. With the departure of long-time starting left tackle Taylor Decker and help needed on the defensive side of the ball, the Lions did a good job of mixing value with need. Penei Sewell is expected to swap sides and go back to his natural position of left tackle, which makes the selection of Miller that much better. Outside of Miller and Law, this was a defensive-focused draft for the Lions, with more than half of their picks coming in the trenches. On the surface, it appears Detroit came away with two sure-fire starters, but depth additions like Abney Jr. and Rolder could pay off down the line. Overall, it’s easy to see the vision, and, considering the quality of players they were able to take, the Lions came away as my top-graded class in the division.

Favorite Pick: CB Keith Abney Jr. (Arizona State)

I loved the selection of Miller, and it’s easy to see why the Lions took a second-round swing on Moore off the edge. That said, getting Abney in the fifth round might have been the steal of Day 3. Despite signing Roger McCreary in free agency, it’s easy to see a path to playing time early for Abney. Most had him as a mid-second round talent, and despite his lack of size, he’s the exact type of player who should thrive in Detroit’s defense.

Riskiest Pick: WR Kendrick Law (Kentucky)

Make no mistake- This choice is more nitpicky than anything else, but someone needed to hold this label, so I landed on the one-year starter that didn’t have much production until his final year in college. Despite a career-best senior season, Law failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards over four seasons in college. Because of his size, he’s a limited player who will do his best work in the slot. Although receiver isn’t a big need for the Lions, it’s easy to wonder how Law will find much playing time, especially early in his career.

Pick That Could Surprise: LB Jimmy Rolder (Michigan)

Following the loss of Alex Anzalone in free agency, there’s a little more uncertainty among the linebacking core. Jack Campbell is a budding superstar, but Anzalone’s departure leaves an opportunity for a player like Rolder to see the field early. Despite a long college career, the former Michigan product was only a one-year starter. The lack of experience leaves some unknown, but the tools and talent level are there. Don’t be surprised to see Rolder carve out a role on this defense in Year 1.

Notable Undrafted Free Agents: DE Anthony Lucas (USC), QB Luke Altmyer (Illinois), DL Aidan Keanaaia (Cal), and TE Miles Kitselman (Tennessee)

Green Bay Packers (C+)

Round 2 (#52): CB Brandon Cisse (South Carolina)

Round 3 (#77): DT Chris McClellan (Missouri)

Round 4 (#120): DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State)

Round 5 (#153): iOL Jager Burton (Kentucky)

Round 6 (#201): CB Domani Jackson (Alabama)

Round 6 (#216): K Trey Smack (Florida)

Seven and a half months after the blockbuster trade that sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay for a pair of first-round picks, the Packers had to pay the tax that was their exciting trade before the start of Week 1. Because of that, they lacked a first-round selection and will again in 2027. Following a free agent period that saw more subtractions than additions, the Packers found themselves in a tough spot heading into draft weekend. Cornerback and defensive line help were the team’s biggest needs, and despite their lack of high-round picks, they were able to fill those holes.

Green Bay’s latest drafts have lacked the type of impact needed to sustain long-term success beyond making the playoffs or being in the race, so the hope is that they can hit on the majority of these picks to help offset the cost of paying a quarterback and a pass rusher at the top of the market. If successful, this class might be enough to get the Packers over the hump. For now, they’ll just have to hope their top three picks come in and compete for playing time out of the gate.

Favorite Pick: CB Brandon Cisse (South Carolina)

On paper, it was easy to argue that the cornerback was their biggest need heading into last weekend. Despite not selecting until No. 52 overall, it’s easy to feel like the Packers came away with a quality pick at their biggest position of need. Cisse has adequate size and projects as a starting boundary corner. In a worst-case scenario, he’ll provide top-level competition for both Keishean Nixon and Carrington Valentine. In a more optimistic view, he’ll immediately come in and prove himself as one of the best corners on the roster and provide a boost to a defensive unit that struggled down the stretch.

Riskiest Pick: K Trey Smack (Florida)

Despite not having many high-quality picks in this draft, Green Bay did a good job of avoiding unnecessary risk and staying relatively close to the consensus board. It was hard to choose a player who fits the title of “risky”, but as we’ve learned, drafting kickers fails more often than not. On the surface, Smack is someone who should be able to come in and challenge veteran Brandon McManus. That said, being drafted is rarely a guarantee of becoming a good NFL kicker.

Pick That Could Surprise: iOL Jager Burton (Kentucky)

This came down to a pair of players: Burton and Dennis-Sutton. Both players should have a chance to get on the field early, but I like Burton’s overall upside a little more. The Kentucky product has the versatility to play all three interior positions, which is valued in the Packers’ scheme. He’s a mean player with plenty of athleticism, and although all five starting spots are spoken for as of now, injuries happen. Don’t be surprised to see Burton push for playing time at some point in Year 1.

Notable Undrafted Free Agents: DE Nyjalik Kelly (UCF), QB Kyron Drones (Virginia Tech), iOL Dylan Barrett (Iowa State), and WR J. Michael Sturdivant (Florida).

Minnesota Vikings (C)

Round 1 (#18): DT Caleb Banks (Florida)

Round 2 (#51): LB Jake Golday (Cincinnati)

Round 3 (#82): DT Dominique Orange (Iowa State)

Round 3 (#97): OT Caleb Tiernan (Northwestern)

Round 3 (#98): DB Jakobe Thomas (Miami)

Round 5 (#159): FB Max Bredeson (Michigan)

Round 5 (#163): CB Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin)

Round 6 (#198): RB Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest)

Round 7 (#235): C Gavin Gerhardt (Cincinnati)

Head coach Kevin O’Connell might have the biggest voice in the room, but any time a team goes into a draft with a full-time general manager, it’s always a crapshoot to see how things will turn out. On one hand, it’s hard to get much worse drafting than what they had under Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. On the other hand, the Vikings are in a spot where they need a talent infusion to help them address the questions they face at quarterback.

On paper, Minnesota has plenty of talent, but its recent draft misses and poor cap management have left it in a situation where tough decisions have had to be made. They made waves on Day 2 of the draft when they traded veteran pass rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles for a pair of third-round picks. While they’ll have to continue to bank on previously acquired players to develop, having five of the first 98 picks in the draft should, in theory, help get them back to where they need to be. That said, it was a mixed bag for the Vikings, but that’s not a new development.

Favorite Pick: Dominique Orange (Iowa State)

Banks might have been their first pick on last weekend’s draft, but Orange feels like the safer bet to at least be a contributing player who can excel in Brian Flores’ defense. Orange isn’t someone who is going to get after the quarterback consistently. Still, as a run-stuffing nose tackle with some pass-rushing upside, he’s the type of player that the Vikings desperately needed on their defensive front. More importantly, it’s added depth to a unit that parted ways with both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.

Riskiest Pick: DT Caleb Banks (Florida)

The draft is all about upside, and for that, the Banks pick is somewhat understandable. From a pure traits, size, and strength standpoint, Banks is a rare player. The issue is that he hasn’t been able to stay healthy and has had chronic foot issues. For a 330-pound human, that’s problematic. The ceiling is easy to see, but the floor is what concerns me most, especially at No. 18 overall. Maybe he stays healthy, Flores gets everything he can out of him, and I look foolish for this, but the chances are higher that he never comes close to reaching his ceiling, and people continue to question them for taking such a high-round gamble on him.

Pick That Could Surprise: CB Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin)

It’s not often that a player with relatively little football experience for an FCS school can come into the NFL and be successful, but if there’s anyone who can do it, Demmings is someone I’d bet on. Not only does he have the physical and athletic profile to make it happen, but he’s heading to a defense that has done a good job getting the most out of their defensive backs. He might not contribute right away, but between his special-teams value and upside, this is someone I like over the long term.

Notable Undrafted Free Agents: P Brett Thorson (Georgia), CB Marcus Allen (North Carolina), Kejon Owens (FIU), and LB Scooby Williams (Texas A&M).

What are your thoughts on these four draft classes?