NFC North 2019 Draft Breakdown

Believe it or not, the Bears were not the only team with draft picks. Their main competitors for the NFC North (and the Lions) all had more draft picks than the Bears and were also able to acquire some talented players.
If you missed it, you can read about some of the Bears 2019 draft picks here:
David Montgomery
Riley Ridley
Duke Shelley
Kerrith Whyte
As well as one of their undrafted free agents:
Emanuel Hall
And now we turn our attention to the other three teams in the NFC North …

Detroit Lions

• Round 1, Pick 8: TE T.J. Hockenson (Iowa)
• Round 2, Pick 43: LB Jahlani Tavai (Hawaii)
• Round 3, Pick 81: S Will Harris (Boston College)
• Round 4, Pick 117: Austin Bryant (Clemson)
• Round 5, Pick 146: CB Amani Oruwariye (Penn State)
• Round 6, Pick 184: WR Travis Fulgham (Old Dominion)
• Round 6, Pick 186: RB Ty Johnson (Maryland)

Best Pick: T.J. Hockenson
Worst Pick: Austin Bryant
Sleeper: Travis Fulgham
Steal: Amani Oruwariye
Biggest Reach: Jahlani Tavai
Detroit started out strong with their first-round pick of Hockenson. An all-around tight end, he should make an immediate impact on their offense.
Then things went off the rails.
Tavai is a solid player but is a reach at number 43. Harris is another solid player but there were much better safeties in the third round while Bryant did not have a draftable grade in my opinion. Bryant has the size and strength head coach Matt Patricia covets in his defensive ends but he doesn’t provide much as a pass rusher.
After a few questionable picks, the Lions rebounded in the fifth and sixth rounds. I believe Oruwariye should have been a Day 2 pick while Fulgham’s size and body control makes him an interesting developmental prospect.

Minnesota Vikings

• Round 1, Pick 18: C Garrett Bradbury (NC State)
• Round 2, Pick 50: TE Irv Smith (Alabama)
• Round 3, Pick 102: RB Alexander Mattison (Boise State)
• Round 4, Pick 112: G Dru Samia (Oklahoma)
• Round 5, Pick 162: LB Cameron Smith (USC)
• Round 6, Pick 190: DT Armon Watts (Arkansas)
• Round 6, Pick 191: S Marcus Epps (Wyoming)
• Round 6, Pick 193: OT Oli Udoh (Elon)
• Round 7, Pick 217: CB Kris Boyd (Texas)
• Round 7, Pick 217: WR Dillon Mitchell (Oregon)
• Round 7, Pick 247: WR Olabisi Johnson (Colorado State)
• Round 7, Pick 250: LS Austin Cutting (Air Force)

Best Pick: Irv Smith
Worst Pick: Marcus Epps
Sleeper: Cameron Smith
Steal: Oli Udoh
Biggest Reach: Alexander Mattison
It pains me to say this, but the Vikings had an incredible draft. It was hard to select a “best pick” as they picked a few good players at good value and their “reach” is one of my favorite players.
Their first four picks will be instant contributors and the rest of their draft was solid across the board.
Bradbury was one of the most impressive offensive linemen I scouted this offseason and Smith had no business lasting until Pick 50. If you follow me on twitter you know my affinity for Mattison and what he brings to the table.
Samia will have a 12-year career and will make a few pro bowls and that’s probably his floor. Udoh, Boyd, and Mitchell were all tremendous value picks late on Day 3.
The Vikings’ first four picks also say a lot about the direction their offense will be taking. Two offensive linemen, one of the best blocking tight ends in the class, and a downhill, power running back. They clearly want to take the ball out of their $84 million dollar quarterback’s hands as much as possible.
Look for the Vikings to be a run first, play action offense in 2019.

Green Bay Packers

• Round One, Pick 12: DL Rashan Gary (Michigan)
• Round One, Pick 21: S Darnell Savage (Maryland)
• Round Two, Pick 44: C Elgton Jenkins (Mississippi State)
• Round Three, Pick 75: TE Jace Sternberger (Texas A&M)
• Round Five, Pick 150: DL Kingsley Keke (Texas A&M)
• Round Six, Pick 185: CB Ka’dar Hollman (Toledo)
• Round Six, Pick 194: RB Dexter Williams (Notre Dame)
• Round Seven, Pick 226: LB Ty Summers (TCU)

Best Pick: Jace Sternberger
Worst Pick: Rashan Gary
Sleeper: Ka’dar Hollman
Steal: Elgton Jenkins
Biggest Reach: Darnell Savage
Your opinion of this draft will depend heavily on your opinion of Gary. Some had him as a top-10 prospect while others saw him as a Day 2 pick.
Consider me a part of the latter camp. No matter your thoughts there were unquestionably better edge players on the board such as Brian Burns or Montez Sweat.
I liked Savage the player a lot. However, trading up for him and taking him in the first round was a bit much for my liking.
After the Packers’ bizarre first round, Jenkins and Sternberger were very solid picks on Day 2.They did not really need a center but Jenkins can be a backup on the interior as a rookie before taking over down the road. Sternberger gives them a legit threat as a pass catcher and since the Packers don’t care about their tight ends ability to block this was a perfect fit.
Hollman was a steal in the sixth round and Williams, while not a huge need, is a solid rotational running back.
Overall the packers had an “okay” draft. They’ve done a lot this offseason to improve and while the gap has certainly closed the Bears are still the more talented roster.
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NFC North Draft Rankings:

1. Minnesota Vikings
2. Chicago Bears
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Detroit Lions