2024 NFL Draft- NFC North Grades

All 257 picks have been made in the NFL Draft. Who won? Who lost? Draft Nation is here to let you know who stretched too far for a player and who found a diamond in the rough.

Today Draft Nation reviews the NFC North:

Chicago Bears

Round 1 (1) QB- Caleb Williams, USC

The Bears stuck by their guns and selected Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. After trading Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, Chicago selected the quarterback they believe had the highest ceiling. Williams has the big play ability that every team looks for in their quarterback. He steps into a solid offense in year one. 

Round 1 (9) WR- Rome Odunze, Washington

The Bears could have gone for an edge rush defender here to help their defense but decided to give Caleb Williams a big time playmaker who wins contested passes and with his size will be a weapon in Chicago. The Bears now have one of the best trio of receivers in the NFL with Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze.

Round 3 (75) T- Kiran Amegadjie, Yale

The Bears added a versatile offensive lineman in Kiran Amegadjie. Some think he can be a guard at the next level and with the Bears set at tackle in 2024, he will have some time to develop.

Round 4 (122) P- Tory Taylor, Iowa

Taylor has a huge leg and should help the Bears win field possession battles and take some pressure off of a questionable defense.

Round 5 (144) DE- Austin Booker, Kansas

The Bears finally drafted on the defensive side of the ball and found a gem in the 5th round. Booker is a productive pass rusher who has the speed to be a nuisance coming off the edge.

Final Grade (A-)

Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze have the potential to be star players in the league. They get a punter with a huge leg and they finish it off with an edge rusher who can be productive this year.

Detroit Lions

Round 1 (24) CB- Terrion Arnold, Alabama

The Lions traded up and got arguably the draft’s best cornerback at #24. The Lions secondary was a mess last season and losing Cam Sutton this off-season made this a necessity.

Round 2 (61) CB- Ennis Rakestraw, Jr., Missouri

The Lions continued to add to a rebuilt secondary and selected a physical cornerback in Rakestraw. Look for Arnold to start at one cornerback position and Rakestraw to play in nickel packages. Great value at #61.

Round 4 (126) T- Giovanni Manu, British Columbia

Manu shot up the charts late in the scouting process after he ran a 4.96 40 yard dash at 6’7” 352 lbs. The Lions already took care of their biggest need and have the roster flexibility to take on a project with off the chart athleticism.

Round 4 (132) RB/S- Sione Vaki, Utah

Vaki brings a new meaning to the term “versatility.” He played both safety and running back at Utah while also being a demon on special teams. He gives the Lions some creative flexibility to use. 

Round 6 (189) DT- Mekhi Wingo, LSU

Another excellent value pick by the Lions. Wingo is a large man who moves fluidly and plays with high energy. Should work his way into a rotational role in Detroit.

Round 6 (210) G- Christian Mahogany, Boston College

The Lions once again benefit from a player who has slid in the draft. Mahogany was a solid performer at Boston College and has the potential to one day be a starter, which isn't bad for a 6th rounder.

Final Grade (B+)

The Detroit Lions went out and fixed their biggest problem which was in the secondary. They got two great value picks late with Wingo and Mahogany. If the patience of project Giovanni Manu pays off at tackle,this class becomes an A.

Green Bay Packers 

Round 1 (25) T- Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Green Bay had a need at left tackle and Jordan Morgan will be given a chance to win the starting job on day one. He had an excellent season last year at Arizona coming off an ACL injury.

Round 2 (45) LB- Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Cooper is the first linebacker off the board and Green Bay will give him every opportunity to start on the inside this season. Cooper is very instinctive and is the most NFL ready linebacker in the class.

Round 2 (58) S- Javon Bullard, Georgia

The Packers needed safety help behind Xavier McKinney and Anthony Johnson,Jr. Bullard is a versatile safety who can help in run support and is excellent in coverage. The Packers may have found three starters in their first three picks.

Round 3 (88) RB- MarShawn Lloyd, USC

MarShawn Lloyd is an explosive back who should be productive in Matt LaFleur’s run offense. He struggles in pass protection which could limit his availability. This may be considered a bit of a reach.

Round 3 (91) LB- Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri

This was a definite reach by the Packers. Hopper has immense athleticism but struggles at times with tackling and shedding blocks. He is considered a “tweener” by some scouts.

Round 4 (111) S- Evan Williams, Oregon

The Packers add another safety with skill. There is a good chance that Willams will back up round two pick Javon Bullard at free safety.

Round 5 (163) C- Jacob Monk, Duke

This is probably a little high for Jacob Monk, but Green Bay likes the versatility he brings by being able to play both center and guard.

Round 5 (169) DB- Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State

The Packers add their 3rd safety of the draft. Oladapo coming off his best campaign at Oregon State should settle in nicely as the backup to Xavier McKinney at strong safety.

Round 6 (202) OL- Travis Glover, Georgia State

Glover is 6’6” and has nearly 35” arms. He is a bit of a project who will have to turn some heads in training camp.

Round 7 (245) QB- Michael Pratt, Tulane

Green Bay gets their best value pick of the draft. Pratt slid way down the draft board and has enough potential to battle and beat Sean Clifford for the backup role.

Round 7 (255) CB- Kalen King, Penn State

At one time Kalen King was considered a round one prospect. He struggled last season at Penn State. If he can work through his issues and get back to his 2021-2022 playing abilities, this could be an absolute steal.

Final Grade (B)

Green Bay had 11 picks and they shored up their safety position and found some workable pieces with Lloyd and Harper. They reached a couple of times but were bailed out in round 7 with their selections of Pratt and King.

Minnesota Vikings

Round 1 (10) QB- J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

The rumors were rampant that the VIkings were going to trade up to #4 or #5, but once Michael Penix went to Atlanta, they only had to move up one spot. This is an excellent choice and Draft Nation sees McCarthy starting day one and having a nice career in Minnesota.

Round 1 (17) Edge- Dallas Turner, Alabama

The Vikings knocked it out of the park in round one. Turner is an explosive pass rusher who has the ability to drop back in coverage and plays a complete game.

Round 4 (108) CB- Khyree Jackson, Oregon

Jackson is long and quick footed and is an excellent value pick in round 4 for the Vikings.

Round 6 (177) T- Walter Rouse, Oklahoma

Another nice value pick, Rouse can be a swing tackle to help with the offensive line’s depth.

Round 6 (203) K- Will Reichard, Alabama

Reichard was the first kicker off the board and had an amazing career at Alabama. He should step right in and kick for Minnesota on opening day.

Round 7 (230) C- Michael Jurgens, Wake Forest

Jurgens is an excellent value pick for round 7 and could serve as a quality backup to Garrett Bradbury at the center position.

Round 7 (232) DT- Levi Drake Rodriguez, Texas A&M-Commerce

Levi Drake Rodriguez was a sensational small school player. It will be interesting to see how he translates to the NFL.

Final Grade (B+)

Minnesota had an amazing first round picking up McCarthy and Turner. Khyree Jackson has a chance to be a big part of the secondary and kicker Will Reichard should be in Minnesota for years.