The 2021 NFL Draft is very quickly approaching and the next generation of stars will be able to find their new homes. The NFC North saw loaded success in 2020, as they had a pair of teams reach the playoffs and their draft strategies could be amongst the league’s best this year.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at a prediction for who each team in the NFC North will take in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are set to pick at number 29 overall, and I have them snagging Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi with the pick. Cosmi, 22, stands at 6-foot-7 and weighs 309 pounds and could be a staple on the Green Bay offensive line. The Packers need to invest in some youth on their offensive line, and we could see them do so with the addition of one of the most underrated tackle’s in the draft.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings enter the NFL Draft this year with a large variety of needs, and they will use their number 14 overall pick to land a good talent. I have them going with Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye with their pick and he seems like a perfect fit for the Vikings. They could address a different need, but the addition of a talented defensive lineman with exceptional skill and versatility seems right up their alley.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are under a brand new regime and they could be looking to have a brand new draft strategy this year. They currently posses the number seven overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and I have them snagging Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
In my mock draft, I had Ja’Marr Chase being picked by the Bengals, so the Lions would have to settle with the second best receiver in the draft in Waddle. Waddle is an exceptional talent and his hard working mantra would mesh well with the new era Lions.
Chicago Bears
The Bears were a playoff team in 2020, but they have undergone a ton of changes this offseason. One thing that hasn’t changed is that they pick at number 20 in the 2021 NFL Draft, and I have them selecting the sliding Mac Jones from Alabama.
Jones would likely have a team trade up to land him before this fall is even possible, but for the sake of a non-confusing draft I had him fall to pick number 20 where the Bears could groom a quarterback behind Andy Dalton.
