2020 Offseason Team Needs: NFC North

Bears

Projected Cap Space: $5,019,361

Draft Picks: 8, including one compensatory pick per Over The Cap’s projections.

• 2nd (No. 43, from LV)
• 2nd (No. 50)
• 4th (Comp)
• 5th (No. 142, from LV)
• 5th (No. 146)
• 6th (No. 177)
• 6th (No. 181, from PHI)
• 7th (No. 211)

Notable Free Agents:

• LB Danny Trevathan, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, DL Nicholas Williams, LB Aaron Lynch, DE Roy Robertson-Harris (RFA), OT Cornelius Lucas, QB Chase Daniel, DE Brent Urban, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, S Deon Bush, G Ted Larsen, CB Sherrick McManis.

Team Needs:

1. Tight End

The Bears could stand to improve in a number of areas on offense, but in most cases, Chicago will hope for better play from current personnel. That’s not the case at tight end, as the Bears have already made it clear they view the position as a priority this offseason after getting almost nothing from it in 2019. Prized 2018 free-agent acquisition Trey Burton has been unable to stay healthy, while former second-round TE Adam Shaheen is nearing bust territory. 

1. Quarterback

Though it’s unlikely Bears GM Ryan Pace elects to move on from QB Mitchell Trubisky this offseason, he made it clear at his end of season press conference the team intended to go in a different direction than Chase Daniel at backup quarterback. Chicago could try to replicate what Tennessee did by bringing in an alternative if Trubisky falters again in 2020. 

1. Safety

There’s a couple of other areas the Bears need to address, but it will depend on which of their players they’re able to re-sign. Chicago hit on its signing of S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a cheap, one-year deal last year, but Clinton-Dix played well enough to earn a bigger contract elsewhere. With Deon Bush also slated for free agency, the Bears don’t have a replacement on the roster ready to step in. 

Lions

Projected Cap Space: $45,839,794

Draft Picks: 7

• 1st (No. 3)
• 2nd (No. 35)
• 3rd (No. 67)
• 4th (No. 99)
• 5th (No. 131)
• 5th (No. 155, from SEA)
• 6th (No. 163)

Notable Free Agents:

• DT Mike Daniels, G Graham Glasgow, WR Danny Amendola, CB Rashaan Melvin, S Tavon Wilson, G Kenny Wiggins, DT A’Shawn Robinson, P Sam Martin, G Oday Aboushi, S Miles Killebrew, TE Logan Thomas, QB Jeff Driskel.

Team Needs:

1. Cornerback

The Lions finished last in the NFL in passing yardage allowed and also surrendered 33 touchdowns through the air. Former No. 2 corner Rashaan Melvin is unlikely to be back and top CB Darius Slay‘s future is up in the air. Detroit could make multiple additions here. 

1. Defensive Tackle

What looked like one of the strongest defensive lines in the NFL on paper before 2019 quickly turned into a weakness for the Lions. Preseason addition Mike Daniels was limited by injury and had 10 tackles in nine games. He’s set to be an unrestricted free agent, along with Lions DT A’Shawn Robinson. Run-stuffing DT Damon Harrison says he’ll contemplate retirement this offseason. The Lions need reinforcements at the position. 

1. Guard

The Lions locked up one guard spot by signing Joe Dahl to a midseason extension. However, the other three primary players Detroit rotated at the position — Graham Glasgow, Kenny Wiggins and Oday Aboushi — are all on expiring contracts. Detroit almost certainly isn’t interested in matching what Glasgow will get offered by other teams, and neither of the other two candidates ran away with the job in their snaps. 

Packers

Projected Cap Space: $23,700,042

Draft Picks: 9.

• 1st (No. 30)
• 2nd (No. 62)
• 3rd (No. 94)
• 4th (No. 126)
• 5th (No. 158)
• 6th (No. 173, from LV)
• 6th (No. 190)
• 7th (No. 202, from CLE)
• 7th (No. 220, from BAL)

Notable Free Agents:

• OT Bryan Bulaga, LB Blake Martinez, CB Tramon Williams, K Mason Crosby, WR Geronimo Allison, TE Marcedes Lewis, OT Jared Veldheer, LB Kyler Fackrell, LB B.J. Goodson, S Will Redmond, S Ibraheim Campbell, FB Danny Vitale, WR Ryan Grant.

Team Needs:

1. Inside Linebacker

The Packers navigated 2019 with a gaping hole at inside linebacker following some early injuries, but in the end it was one of the factors that doomed them to being trampled by the 49ers in the NFC championship game. The hole is set to become even bigger with the departure of LB Blake Martinez in free agency, making it one of the top priorities for Green Bay this offseason. 

1. Wide Receiver

As Packers QB Aaron Rodgers heads deeper into the twilight of his career, Green Bay could follow the mold of other franchises and surround their aging superstar with more talent. They can do that by adding weapons in the passing game, as aside from WR Davante Adams no one else stepped up as a true reliable threat for Rodgers. 

1. Cornerbacks

A strong argument can be made for tight end, offensive tackle and defensive line, but cornerback is a sneaky need for the Packers. Current No. 2 corner Kevin King is a free agent after 2020 and has yet to play a full 16-game season. Green Bay is thin behind him, with just former UDFA Chandon Sullivan and potential second-round bust Josh Jackson. Green Bay already has shown a proclivity toward defensive backs in the early rounds, why not another?

Vikings

Projected Cap Space: -$11,366,514

Draft Picks: 10, including three compensatory picks per Over The Cap’s projections.

• 1st (No. 26)
• 2nd (No. 59)
• 3rd (No. 90)
• 4th (No. 123)
• 4th (Comp)
• 6th (No. 187)
• 7th (No. 197, from MIA)
• 7th (Comp)
• 7th (Comp)

Notable Free Agents:

• CB Trae Waynes, S Anthony Harris, CB Mackensie Alexander, K Dan Bailey, OT Rashod Hill, S Andrew Sendejo, DL Stephen Weatherly, P Britton Colquitt, G Dakota Dozier, QB Sean Mannion, C Brett Jones, FB C.J. Ham. 

Team Needs:

1. Cornerback

With Xavier Rhodes struggling and Trae Waynes set to test the open market, Vikings HC Mike Zimmer won’t need much inducement to look at drafting another cornerback high in the first round this year. Zimmer believes you can never have enough quality corners and Minnesota right now arguably has just one in former first-round pick Mike Hughes.

1. Defensive Line

Vikings DE Everson Griffen is set to be a free agent after triggering a void in his contract by reaching eight sacks in 2019. While he wants to come back, he’s 32. Fellow Minnesota stalwart, DT Linval Joseph, is 31 and dealt with a knee injury in 2019. Reserve DL Stephen Weatherly is also an unrestricted free agent. Minnesota needs to keep the pass rush pipeline stocked. 

1. Safety

Even if the Vikings re-sign S Anthony Harris, the position is a need for Minnesota. The team isn’t expected to bring back Jayron Kearse and Andrew Sendejo is slated for free agency. Former All-Pro S Harrison Smith is also 30 and will be entering the final year of his contract in 2020.