The NFC North made it’s fair share of offseason moves this year and it could make the division amongst the best in the entire league. One of the most intriguing parts of the NFL offseason is when teams have to cut their rosters down to 53 men and the NFC North will have some seemingly impossible decisions to make.
Currently, the Green Bay Packers once again look like the favorite to win the division even amid the drama surrounding Aaron Rodgers. However, the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings should be able to compete with them and both improved this offseason. The Detroit Lions don’t look like serious contenders, but they not be written off either quite yet.
All of that being said, let’s take a look at one surprise player who could be dropped by their team this offseason.
Chicago Bears: Tarik Cohen, Running Back
The Bears have a loaded backfield and the odd man out in preseason roster cuts could be Tarik Cohen. Cohen is known for his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and be a supreme playmaker, but the Bears are starting to use him less and are turning into more of an ariel attack offense with their tight ends and receivers.
Chicago also signed former Chiefs running back Damien Williams this offseason, who can do the exact same thing as Cohen, but a bit better. The fact that Cohen was nearly traded this offseason goes to show where he stands in the organization.
Detroit Lions: Corn Elder, Cornerback
The Lions are under a new coaching staff and the team will have to make some tough decisions to keep the best players on their roster. One area that could require some difficult decisions is the cornerback position, and Corn Elder could end up being the odd man out.
Elder was signed by the Lions this offseason after a solid season with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, but the fact that Detroit added three talented rookie corners to their roster could make Elder the odd man out. This is a cut that could very well happen.
Green Bay Packers: Devin Funchess, Wide Receiver
Devin Funchess was signed by the Green Bay Packers prior to the 2020 season, but he opted out due to COVID-19 concerns. Funchess has put together a solid career as a number two or three depth chart receiver, but he could be a likely release candidate for the Packers this offseason.
Funchess didn’t play for the team in 2020, which allowed other receivers like Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to see an increased role. If you consider that with the addition of rookie wide out Amari Rodgers in the third round who is currently slated to start in the slot, Funchess may not have a spot on this roster. Green Bay is solely focused on winning the NFC North and the Super Bowl again and Funchess isn’t a big enough piece to power them there.
Minnesota Vikings: Mackensie Alexander, Cornerback
The Vikings have done quite a bit to enhance their cornerback room in the past couple years, which could leave Mackensie Alexander on the chopping block moving forward. Alexander, 27, is a former second-round pick by the Vikings who spent the 2020 season with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Alexander is back in Minnesota, but it may not be for long as the team added some good talent at his position in Patrick Peterson and Camryn Bynum, and guys like Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, and Harrison Hand all rank above him on the depth chart.
