EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Coming out of the first two days of the draft, largely considered the splash area of the NFL's annual selection meeting, many pundits, including long-time draft guru Gil Brandt, had three NFC North teams among the draft's big winners.
Those early draft examinations were focused on the big two days put forth by the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. The Chicago Bears weren't listed in the mix. So, when the draft finally settled, naturally the three teams considered to succeed on the draft's biggest two days remain close in comparison among NFC North teams.
Here's a ranking of the best drafts in the division and some of the standout picks, along with some questionable reaches:
1. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Best value: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida, Round 1 (23rd overall). No doubt one of the biggest feathers in the cap of Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman was his patience early on the draft's first day and watching as Floyd tumbled down to the Vikings' first pick at No. 23. Floyd was considered by many as the best defensive tackle in the draft and several mock drafts had Floyd going as high as No. 3 overall to the Oakland Raiders. But as the first half of the draft was filled with offensive linemen, Floyd fell and Spielman willingly snatched him up. Floyd might not be a Day 1 starter, or maybe even at all in his first year, but he might have been the biggest value pick of the draft's first day. He will be part of a makeover on an aging defensive line and eventually take over for five-time All-Pro Kevin Williams, with the ability himself to maybe develop into an All-Pro one day.
Head-scratcher: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee, Round 1 (29th overall). There were no real reaches for Minnesota and Spielman's aggressiveness to jump at the chance at a possible difference-maker should be applauded. If any of the Vikings' moves can be met with skepticism, it's the amount of draft resources (second-, third-, fourth-, and seventh-round draft picks) to get Patterson. Patterson has the talent to make the move pan out, but he's considered raw and some reports state he doesn't have a great work ethic. Spielman put himself on the line to get one of the draft's possible elite playmakers. He surrendered the middle of the draft — and possibly a chance to grab a starting middle linebacker along with a lesser receiver — for the chance that Patterson turns into an elite receiver.
Overall: Adding three first-round picks, even if the cost was high, is a big move. All three players had first-round talent and are going to a playoff team. Any time a team grabs three first-round picks, the moves will be heralded. Much of the success of this draft could come down to whether Patterson lives up to his potential. The Vikings added two linebackers to hopefully address a weak position. Michael Mauti, selected in the seventh round, has the talent to develop into a starting-quality middle linebacker, if he can stay healthy. Minnesota took the first punter in the draft in UCLA's Jeff Locke, hoping to find the same success it did last year when it drafted kicker Blair Walsh. And the team added important offensive line depth. Health and Patterson's development will ultimately tell the tale of the 2013 draft for the Vikings.
2. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Best value: Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA, Round 4 (125th overall). Take your pick of the two running backs Green Bay added, Alabama's Eddie Lacy and Franklin. Lacy was generally considered the draft's best back, but he was the third off the board. Still, many figured Lacy could be a first-round alternative for the Packers and they got him late in the second. But Franklin might be the best value. A speedier back to Lacy's strength, some draft analysts actually had Franklin rated as the best available running back, even ahead of Lacy. Yet, Franklin fell to the fourth round and now Green Bay has two young, talented options to solve its long-time struggling running game.
Head-scratcher: Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa, Round 5 (159th overall). The Packers needed help in the secondary, but safety was the position of need. Green Bay already had Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Casey Hayward and Davon House at cornerback, but the team is still looking for a replacement at safety for Nick Collins. Some draft analysts believe Hyde can possibly play safety, but the Packers don't plan to use him there. In a draft that was regarded as deep at safety, Green Bay didn't draft anyone at the position.
Overall: The first half of the Packers draft was filled with good value, and the picks coming at positions of need. Green Bay has likely found a starter in defensive end Datone Jones in the first round, a natural pick at end for the team's 3-4 defense. Lacy or Franklin could battle to be the starter at running back. Fourth-round picks David Bakhtiari and J.C. Tretter add much-needed depth on the offensive line. Green Bay ended up with nine picks on the third day of the draft. The final six picks are projects and likely will be buried on the depth chart. There is no doubt the Packers helped themselves in key spots though.
3. DETROIT LIONS
Best value: Larry Warford, G, Kentucky, Round 3 (65th overall). Detroit desperately needed to upgrade the offensive line and protect quarterback Matthew Stafford. Yet, the Lions waited until the third round to address the position. They still ended up with one of the top guards in the draft in Warford. Warford is big and strong and will likely step in as an immediate starter. Detroit has taken a lot of chances in the draft the past two seasons, but Warford is a safe pick in the third round.
Head-scratcher: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State, Round 2 (36th overall). First-rounder Ziggy Ansah is a classic boom-or-bust candidate at the No. 5 overall selection, but Slay's selection is curious for the fact that he's reportedly dealing with knee issues. Slay's selection comes a year after Detroit swung for receiver Ryan Broyles in the second round too. Broyles entered the league coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. After returning, he then missed the final four games last season after tearing his right ACL. The draft was deep at cornerback and there were still several options available for the Lions. Slay was the fifth cornerback off the board, the first in the second round. Slay has talent, but his health will be the key.
Overall: A classic draft for Detroit will hinge on Ansah and Slay, two chances taken at their respective draft slots. Ansah didn't even play football until 2010. He's played a total of 31 games in his life and has started nine games. But he's an athletic specimen and could join Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley to give the Lions a big pass rush. They added a punter in the fifth round. Aside from Warford, Detroit didn't add offensive linemen and only brought in one receiver, sixth-rounder Corey Fuller, no sure thing. This is a boom-or-bust draft for the Lions, much like they've done in recent years.
4. CHICAGO BEARS
Best value: Khaseem Greene, LB, Rutgers, Round 4 (117th overall). Chicago's linebacking corps is in transition. With long-time star Brian Urlacher gone, the team added D.J. Williams and James Anderson in free agency. Then the Bears added two possible future starters in Greene and Jon Bostic (second round). Both were quality picks at a needed position. But for pure value, getting Greene in the fourth round could prove to be a steal. He fits well as a 4-3 outside linebacker — Bostic is a middle linebacker — and was highly productive in college. Greene has won back-to-back Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards. As a junior, he had 141 tackles, ranking 12th in the nation, and 14.5 tackles for loss. Last year, he had 136 tackles, 12 for loss, six sacks, and forced six fumbles.
Head-scratcher: Kyle Long, G, Oregon, Round 1 (20th overall). Long ranks as one of the biggest reaches in the entire first round. Chicago needed offensive line help, but maybe reacted after the early run on offensive linemen in the first half of the first round. Long was considered a second-day pick. He only played one year of major college football. The son of Hall of Famer Howie Long and brother of St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long, he played baseball at Florida State, transferred and played defensive end at Saddleback Community College before ending up at Oregon last year. He's big and athletic, but small arms likely limit him to guard in the NFL. Offensive linemen such as Warford, Florida State tackle Menelik Watson, Arkansas-Pine Bluff tackle Terron Armstead were still on the board, as were Floyd, tight ends Tyler Eifert, defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, defensive end Bjoern Werner and linebackers Alex Ogletree and Manti Te'o. Based partially on his draft slot, Long will at least likely enter the season as a starter.
Overall: After the questionable pick of Long, Chicago recovered by getting the two linebackers that could be future starters. The Bears only had six picks in total. Fifth-round tackle Jordan Mills adds another piece to the depth of the offensive line. Sixth-round linebacker Cornelius Washington might also be able to play defensive end. His strength is rushing the passer. Chicago was very active in free agency, so it didn't have a lot of holes. Protecting quarterback Jay Cutler is the most important aspect for the Bears, but it's unknown how much Long can help in that regard.
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