2019 NFL Draft Recap – NFC North

Now that the NFL Draft has long seen its completion, it’s a great opportunity to dive in and analyse the potential. The NFC North is a very intriguing division and will be this coming season. With all teams looking to improve and housing very strong rosters on paper, putting it all together should tell the tale. This could be the best division in football for 2019 when all is said and done.

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO BEARS

Round 3 (10): David Montgomery (RB) - Iowa State

Round 4 (126): Riley Ridley (WR) - Georgia

Round 6 (205): Duke Shelley (DB) - Kansas State

Round 7 (222): Kerrith Whyte (RB) - Florida Atlantic

Round 7 (238): Stephen Denmark (DB) - Valdosta State

Undrafted Free Agents:

Blake Blackmar, OL, Baylor | Sam Mustipher, OL, Notre Dame | Alex Bars, OL, Notre Dame | Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State | Lawrence Marshall, DL, Michigan | John Barron II, K, San Diego State | Joe Lowery, OL, Ohio | Clifton Duck, CB, Appalachian State | Chuck Harris, EDGE, Buffalo | Emanuel Hall, WR, Missouri | Ellis Richardson, TE, Georgia Southern | Matt Betts, DL, Laval (Canada)  | Daryle Banfield, DL, Brown | Ian Bunting, TE, Cal | Jomon Dotson, DB, Nevada | Jonathan Harris, DL, Lindenwood | Thomas Ives, WR, Colgate | Doyin Jibowu, DB, Fort Hays State | Adarius Pickett, DB, UCLA | Josh Simmons, DB, Limestone | Marquez Tucker, OL, Southern Utah | John Wirtel, LS, Kansas

The Chicago Bears came into this offseason with a limited number of draft picks to their name which would make it difficult to navigate. However, trying their best to add firepower with added depth was the outcome from a large list of undrafted free agents.

Highlighting their top choice in this year’s draft, the Bears appear to have found their man in running back David Montgomery. After trading Jordan Howard to the Eagles, a clear hole was created with having Tarik Cohen and Mike Davis as the only viable runners on the roster. Montgomery is far from a polished product and should see levels of adjustment, but for what we see, he should be able to steal the starting role after the preseason rather easily. Coach Matt Nagy feels he is the right player for this offensive scheme.

Reviewing the Bears fourth round selection in Riley Ridley, (the younger brother of Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley), we are quite interested to see how this pick shapes up. Ridley definitely won’t blow you away with supreme athletic ability, but is gifted with traits that should keep him on an NFL roster for many years. Great speed will never be part of Ridley overall game, but where he lacks in juice he makes up for in physical skill. Ridley does have soft hands and isn’t afraid to challenge defensive backs for the ball. He could become a very productive receiver with the Bears with how many weapons they currently have.

In rounding out the remainder of this class, the Bears looked to have addressed depth and special team issues with their other three selections.

  

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Round 1 (18): Garrett Bradbury (OL) - North Carolina State

Round 2 (18): Irv Smith Jr. (TE) - Alabama

Round 3 (102): Alexander Mattison (RB) - Boise State

Round 4 (114): Dru Samia (OL) - Oklahoma

Round 5 (162): Cameron Smith (LB) - USC

Round 6 (190): Armon Watts (DL) - Arkansas

Round 6 (191): Marcus Epps (DB) - Wyoming

Round 6 (193): Olisaemeka Udoh (OL) - Elon

Round 7 (217): Kris Boyd (DB) - Texas

Round 7 (239): Dillon Mitchell (WR) - Oregon

Round 7 (247): Olabisi Johnson (WR) - Colorado State

Round 7 (250): Austin Cutting (LS) - Air Force

Undrafted Free Agents:

Davion Davis, WR, Sam Houston State | Jake Browning, QB, Vikings | Tito Odenigbo, DT, Miami Florida) | Brandon Dillon, TE, Marian | Anree Saint-Amour, DL, Georgia Tech | Kris Boyd, CB, Texas

Khari Blasingame, RB, Vanderbilt | Mar'Sean Diggs, DB, Alabama Birmingham | Micah Prince Abernathy, CB, Tennessee | John Keenoy, OL, Western Michigan

With how the Vikings are set up, hitting on a draft class with extreme excellence could be the difference in reaching the Super Bowl, or again watching it from their couches. Understanding that protecting their investment (Kirk Cousins) was the most glaring need in supporting this offense, Minnesota selected three offensive linemen of their 12-selections.

First round pick Garrett Bradbury should slot in from day one as a full-time starter on the line either at center or at guard. He possesses very solid athletic ability and shouldn’t have mush issue holding his own in the NFL. Adding to Bradbury, the selection of guard Dru Samia could work out as a stoke of genius. Samia is put together extremely well and would challenge for a spot on the starting line this season. While there is obvious work to do in hopes to round out his overall game, the Vikings look to have hit two gems on the offensive line to help Cousins stay off the turf.

Having found potential success in two other picks in this draft, we are absolutely enthralled with their selection of former Alabama prospect Irv Smith. Smith is quite impressive when you go back and review his tape where he consistently showcases that speed and strength. Looking to be primarily a pass catching tight end, Smith will be forced to clean up his blocking if he would like to supplant Kyle Rudolph as the team’s top player at the position.

In discussing another potential talent from this class, Minnesota’s third round pick in Alexander Mattison does leave us fascinated. Not being huge supporters of his work from his days at Boise State is simply due to him always leaving us wanting more. Its not to suggest that Mattison won’t be able to cut it in the NFL, but the overall body of work will have its shortcomings. Mattison should act as a change of pace back to Dalvin Cook now that Latavius Murray is with the Saints. Mattison should find his was to being a decent player in this offense with many short yardage and goal line carries to come his way.  

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Round 1 (12): Rashan Gary (DL) - Michigan

Round 1 (21): Darnell Savage, Jr. (DB) - Maryland

Round 2 (44): Elgton Jenkins (OL) - Mississippi State

Round 3 (75): Jace Sternberger (TE) - Texas A&M

Round 5 (150): Kingsley Keke (DL) - Texas A&M

Round 6 (185): Ka’dar Hollman (DB) - Toledo

Round 6 (194): Dexter Williams (RB) - Notre Dame

Round 7 (226): Ty Summers (LB) - TCU

Undrafted Free Agents:

Greg Roberts, DE, Baylor | Matt Eaton, WR, Iowa State | Randy Ramsey, EDGE, Arkansas | Kabion Ento, WR, Colorado | Manny Wilkins, QB, Arizona State | Javien Hamilton, DB, Ole Miss | Davis Koppenhaver, TE, Duke | Yosh Nijman, OL, Virginia Tech | Curtis Bolton, LB, Oklahoma | Nydair Rouse, CB, West Chest (PA) | Larry Williams, OL, Oklahoma State

As the Packers move forward with new head coach Matt LaFleur to hopefully change the direction of this club, we can’t argue with yet another sound draft class produced by general manager Brain Gutekunst.

Needing to correct the issues on the defensive front in getting to opposing quarterbacks, using their first pick to select edge rushing specialist in Rashan Gary could pay dividends early. Checking off all the boxes in terms of intangibles, Gary possesses a rare combination of speed, strength, and stature. It truly is incredible to witness Gary get off the line with so much quickness given how big he really is. This should turn out as a slam dunk early and often for the Packers.

It was clear that the Packers would require help on the backend after seeing Ha-Ha Clinton Dix jump ship, to which a replacement might have been found in the second round. Maryland product Darnell Savage is a talented individual who also carries with him a unique level of skill. Savage is blazing fast and should be able to make his presence known all over the field. Size has always been something of a concern when talking about Savage, but he will turn heads on this stacked Packers defensive backend.

The other clear issue that has plagued this Packers team for far too long, the offensive line also received some aid with Elgton Jenkins from Mississippi State. Coming in at 6-foot, 4-inches tall at 310 pounds, Jenkins should have no problem finding a spot on this line from day one. Adding more muscle mass would do Jenkins a world of good coming into the NFL, but understanding his athletic ability and skill to hold his own, he should do just fine.

Green Bay looks to again compete at high levels, and by the looks of this class, they may just get back on track.

DETROIT LIONS

Round 1 (8): T.J. Hockenson (TE) - Iowa

Round 2 (43): Jahlani Tavai (LB) - Hawaii

Round 3 (81): Will Harris (DB) - Boston College

Round 4 (117): Austin Bryant (DL) - Clemson

Round 5 (146): Amani Oruwariye (DB) - Penn State

Round 6 (184): Travis Fulgham (WR) - Old Dominion

Round 6 (186): Ty Johnson (RB) - Maryland

Round 7 (224): Isaac Nauta (TE) - Georgia

Round 7 (229): P.J. Johnson (DL) - Arizona

Undrafted Free Agents:

Malik Carney, DE, North Carolina | Ray Smith, DL, Boston College | Ryan Pope, OL, San Diego State | Nate Becker, TE, Miami (Ohio) | Tre Lemar, LB, Clemson | Jon Duhart, WR, Old Dominion | Donald Parham, TE, Stetson | Alex Bookser, OL, Pitt | Andre Wilson, WR, Alabama Birmingham | Matt Nelson, DL, Iowa | Beau Benzschawel, OL, Wisconsin

While we never like to over criticize any teams draft class, after reviewing what the Lions brought onboard, we do have some question marks overall.

Selecting tight end T.J Hockenson with their first-round pick is perhaps the only selection we will absolutely agree with. The Lions struggled immensely last season without a true number one talent at the position. Hokenson is as close of a sure-fire prospect that you can get out of the draft. He literally does everything asked of him when he’s on the field. Having unreal athletic ability and still being able to sit on the line and block, Hockenson should rarely leave the field of play. This pick is truly a slam dunk.

Feeling as though the Lions reached heavily with their second-round pick in Jahlani Tavai, they did a little better with safety Will Harris from Boston College. Harris has good skill and speed to stay relevant in this league but will have to prove it on every occasion if he wants to carve out a starting role on this club. This pick isn’t terrible, but they could’ve done better.  

Making up for possible questionable sections in the second and third rounds, the Lions look to have hit on their fourth rounder in Clemson prospect Austin Bryant. Needing to replace losses to the defensive front, Matt Patricia may have found a player that won’t show much flash but should be a steady performer week-in, week-out. There isn’t much question to believe Bryant can’t create havoc in the backfield as he was responsible for tackles behind the line in bunches throughout his college career. This pick should bear fruit, but time will tell as to when.

With one last player that could turn heads from this class but should have a giant hill to climb, Penn State defensive back Amani Oruwariye does leave us scratching our heads to what he could actually become. Having very good size and decent speed to man an outside spot in the NFL, he also excels in press coverage. Refinement will be needed to get Oruwariye over the top, but we shall watch his development closely this offseason.