NFC North Round-Up: Predicting the First Draft Picks for All 4 Teams
Josh Frey
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The NFL Draft is less than nine weeks away, and the scouting combine is getting started this week. With all attention on the draft and its prospects, here are some pre-combine predictions regarding the first draft picks for each team.
Chicago Bears: EDGE Will Anderson Jr.
The Chicago Bears are in need at many positions as they try to maximize the final years of Justin Fields’ rookie deal. While they hold the No. 1 overall pick right now, all reports suggest that they are looking to trade down from that pick in order to acquire more capital.
However, they probably won’t move too far down the board because they need some sort of dominant presence on their defensive front, and while there are multiple options for such a player within the top 10, the two main guys in this class are Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr. and Georgia DT Jalen Carter.
The Bears shouldn’t move too far down given the risk that these players each should go in the top five. A trade down to No. 4 with the Colts makes the most sense here as both Houston and Indy will be looking for QBs this spring, so at the very least, Chicago will get whichever of Anderson or Carter that weren’t selected by the Arizona Cardinals. I also am of the mindset that an outstanding pass rusher at DT is harder to find than EDGE, so the Cardinals opt to take him.
Detroit Lions: CB Devon Witherspoon
The Detroit Lions hit in a major way on Illinois safety Kerby Joseph in the 2022 NFL Draft, so why not stay there in 2023? Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon has been flying up draft boards over the past few weeks as people become more familiar with his physical play and outstanding instincts in pass coverage.
At this point, Witherspoon is my CB1 in the class, and the Lions still need some help on a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league across the board in 2022. Holding the No. 6 overall pick because of the Matthew Stafford trade with the Los Angeles Rams, the Lions are in prime position to improve this side of the ball in a defense-heavy draft class.
The Illinois cornerback reunites with his former teammate in Detroit’s secondary and creates an exciting young defense that also includes EDGE Aidan Hutchinson and LB Malcolm Rodriguez.
Green Bay Packers: S Brian Branch
The Green Bay Packers are in a position where they need to find solutions at safety, and they need to do it quickly. Adrian Amos hits free agency this offseason, and Darnell Savage will be a free agent in 2024 if he doesn’t get a new contract with the Packers soon.
Given that No. 15 seems right around the area that Alabama safety Brian Branch could be taken, this seems like a no-brainer for the Packers. Branch is one of the hardest-hitting defensive backs in the entire class, and he brings a ferocious competitive spirit that should be contagious to teammates.
Branch has outstanding versatility as well, lining up as a nickel corner or even a de facto linebacker throughout his years at Alabama. This would be a welcomed addition to Green Bay’s defense.
Minnesota Vikings: CB Deonte Banks
Once again, the Vikings are in need of younger talent in their secondary for the 2023 season. Currently, Minnesota holds the No. 23 overall pick in the first round, but don’t be surprised if that changes by the time the first round ends.
Especially if the Vikings opt to trade down and acquire more capital, Maryland CB Deonte Banks makes a ton of sense for Minnesota. He’s a physical cornerback in press coverage, and he brings enticing size to the table at 6’2.
Seeing as the Vikings have a need for a true lockdown cornerback in Brian Flores’ defense, this strength makes him a very intriguing option. Banks could be a great fit to take over the reins in the secondary. It could take some time for him to work his way into the starting lineup, but he should get that chance sometime in 2023 if the Vikings select him.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.