NFC North Round-Up: Free Agency Fits for All 4 Teams
Josh Frey
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Free agency is a rapidly approaching for the NFL.
This spring, there are plenty of intriguing players headed for the open market who could fill needs for various teams in 2024. Here is a look at free agency fits for all four NFC North teams before this period of the NFL offseason gets started.
Chicago Bears: WR Tyler Boyd
With recent reports continuing to suggest that Darnell Mooney is not going to return to Chicago in 2024, the team will need to find a player that can take his spot as a slot receiver. Tyler Boyd not only played over 80% of his snaps in the slot throughout his Bengals career, but he was very proficient at it as well.
Other than the 2017 season, Boyd has recorded at least 50 receptions and 600 receiving yards in every year of his career, including a pair of 1000-yard seasons in 2018 and 2019. The Bears could continue to solidify their WR depth with this signing.
Detroit Lions: EDGE Yannick Ngakoue
The Lions have already lost Julian Okwara to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, and they really need a pass rushing threat opposite of Aidan Hutchinson to help them finish off more than their 41 sacks from 2023.
Yannick Ngakoue hasn’t been known for run defense throughout his career, but he has a knack for getting after the quarterback. He only recorded four sacks in 2023 while dealing with injuries, but in each of his first six seasons, he totaled at least eight sacks.
Green Bay Packers: S Jordan Whitehead
The Green Bay Packers have some holes to fill in their secondary. They didn’t get much production out of Eric Stokes in 2023, and Jaire Alexander had some struggles throughout the season as well. On top of that, names like Keisean Nixon and Darnell Savage are set to hit free agency.
Jordan Whitehead has been a fantastic player in the Jets’ secondary over the past two seasons, and he put together a career-high four interceptions during 2023. He would be a welcomed addition to Green Bay’s defensive backfield.
Minnesota Vikings: DT Sheldon Rankins
Jonathan Bullard is set to enter free agency this offseason, and while he had a strong season in Minnesota, the Vikings should look for some extra pass-rushing help at the defensive tackle spot. Sheldon Rankins hopped on with the Texans this year and racked up 40 pressures along with six sacks, but now, he is headed to free agency after his contract voided.
Rankins will turn 30 years old in April, so he likely has a couple years of strong football in front of him. While the Vikings shouldn’t sell the farm to get Rankins, he is worth kicking the tires on this offseason.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. 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.