NFL Analysis Network

1 Trade Target For Each Team in the NFC North To Monitor

The NFC North has been owned for years by the Green Bay Packers who had the luxury of going from Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre to future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They have won the division 15 times since Favre’s first season as a starter in 1992, which is as many times as the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have combined.

The division will likely look similar for years to come as the Bears and Lions are in the early stages of a rebuild. The Vikings could challenge for the division crown, but they will have to make some tweaks to the roster because of their salary cap situation.

Chicago Bears: WR D.K. Metcalf

The Bears are hoping that they have filled their need for a franchise quarterback when they traded up in the 2021 NFL Draft to select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. Now, it is time to upgrade the weapons around him so he can take the next step in his development.

Chicago has one solid receiver in Darnell Mooney that Fields developed chemistry with almost instantly. Now, it is time for them to add an impact receiver opposite of him.

Some great receivers are available in free agency, but none will have the impact that D.K. Metcalf would. With Russell Wilson on his way to the Denver Broncos, the Seattle Seahawks could be willing to start trading away other high-end players on the roster.

Metcalf has looked like a star thus far in his career. As a big-bodied receiver with a developing route tree, Metcalf would be an excellent addition to the Bears’ offense. His addition could help the Bears get back to competing in the NFC North.

Detroit Lions: WR Michael Thomas

Detroit is in the early stages of its rebuild and should stay the course. However, if the opportunity presents itself to upgrade the team at a discount, they will have to seriously consider it.

The New Orleans Saints are in a serious salary-cap crunch. They are more than $74 million over the cap and will have to make plenty of moves to clear that cap. One possible move is trading Michael Thomas.

If he is made available, the Lions should make a competitive offer. Thomas would be welcomed with open arms to a roster that had Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman as the top two wide receivers in the offseason.

By Week 2, both were out of the picture as Williams was hurt and Perriman was cut before the season. Amon-Ra St. Brown came on strong throughout the season and would be a great second receiver behind Thomas.

Green Bay Packers: WR Brandin Cooks

Now that Aaron Rodgers has committed to the Packers beyond this season, the front office is going to be all-in on upgrading the roster. As long as Rodgers, the MVP of the league for two consecutive years, is under center, it is Super Bowl or bust.

Now that they have received his commitment, it is time to provide him with the weapons he has been looking for. With Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard both free agents, wide receiver is an underrated need for Green Bay.

They should make a call to the Houston Texans about Brandin Cooks, especially if Valdes-Scantling leaves in free agency. Cooks would be the No. 2 receiver behind Davante Adams the team has been searching for for years.

A No. 1 receiver in his own right, Cooks has surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau in six of the eight seasons he has played in the NFL. He would excel as a No. 2 receiver, taking full advantage of the attention that Adams would garner. This addition would keep the Packers as NFC North favorites moving forward.

Minnesota Vikings: CB Marcus Peters

One of the biggest weaknesses for the Vikings last season was their pass defense. Their cornerbacks struggled mightily to slow down opposing wide receivers and their struggles were exacerbated by the front seven struggling to consistently get pressure rushing the passer.

Once they figure out their salary cap situation, they should aggressively pursue an upgrade on the perimeter of their defense. One player that could catch their attention is Marcus Peters, whom the Baltimore Ravens could look to move on from.

He tore his ACL last season, so it could be a discounted price to acquire him this offseason. But, at 29-years old, he will still have prime years remaining should he return to 100 percent. Taking a chance on him would be a worthwhile gamble for a Vikings defense that needs all the help they can get.

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