ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest mock draft today, just 15 days away from the 2024 NFL Draft. This time, Kiper's mock draft is two rounds and includes some major trades, including the Minnesota Vikings swinging big on a quarterback.
Let's examine the picks for the four NFC North teams and see how the division would look coming out of the draft if this mock became reality.
Detroit Lions
1.29 Adonai Mitchell - Receiver, Texas
2.61 Adisa Isaac - Defensive End, Penn State
This first pick for Detroit surprised me, as I would think Detroit would rather prioritize a still-leaky defense. Kiper admits you could call it a 'luxury pick' but defends it by saying the Lions are in a position to make luxury picks, which is fair. Going with Isaac in the second round is a nice pick, in my opinion. I've had my eye on Isaac for a while and teaming him up with Aiden Hutchinson would create serious problems for NFC North offensive lines.
Green Bay Packers
1.25 Amarius Mims - Offensive Tackle, Georgia
2.41 (via NYJ) Edgerrin Cooper - Linebacker, Texas A&M
2.58 Javon Bullard - Safety, Georgia
Offensive tackle is a need for the Packers, but I don't think it's as big of a need as many say. Sure, they lost David Bahktiara this offseason but, to be frank, they've been largely without him for the past three years due to injuries and managed to still play well. I think they'd be better off going defense here, but this isn't a bad pick. With the selection they got from trading Aaron Rodgers to New York, the Packers replace De'Vondre Campbell, who was released earlier this offseason. Then they beef up their secondary with a quality safety from Georgia. Kiper notes that Green Bay finished the 2023 season second-to-last in interceptions, and adding Bullard should help fix that problem.
Minnesota Vikings
1.5 (via LAC) J.J. McCarthy - Quarterback, Michigan
In Mel Kiper's mock draft, the Vikings get only one pick in the first two rounds after trading up with the Chargers, sending away pick Nos.11, 23, and next year's 1st to move up from 11 to five. Kiper doesn't think the Vikings can afford to wait for a quarterback to fall in the draft and that they'll need to be aggressive. I understand that sentiment, but boy, does this trade feel like a lot just to get a quarterback who is QB4 in Dane Brugler's big board. Maybe it'll work out for Minnesota. McCarthy has a lot of potential. He looks like a quarterback you can win Super Bowls with if there's enough talent on the roster, and Minnesota has arguably the best offense for a rookie quarterback. But if McCarthy struggles for the next few years, there may be another regime change in Minnesota.
Chicago Bears
1.1 (via CAR) Caleb Williams - Quarterback, USC
1.9 Rome Odunze - Receiver, Washington
Many draft analysts, Kiper included, have this as not only the best-case scenario for the Bears but also the most likely scenario. Adding the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck and a stud wide receiver in just the first round of the 2024 NFL draft? That would have to excite Bears fans and maybe cause concern for defenses in the NFC North.
Summary
The NFC North is on the brink of being one of the best, most competitive divisions in the NFL, and Kiper's mock draft would likely make that a reality. The Lions, who were 30 minutes away from cruising to the Super Bowl last year, would be loading up on premium positions. The Packers, who have seemingly once again hit on a good quarterback, would give Jordan Love better protection up front. The Vikings will have added a quarterback who could maximize the potential of a loaded offense. Finally, the Chicago Bears would start a quarterback hailed by many experts as generational and transcendent while also assembling the best three receivers in franchise history, and potentially the best trio in the NFL right now.
That's an absolute gauntlet of a division and would make for some epic clashes.