NFC North Rumors: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings

Bears

• The Athletic’s Adam Jahns writes that he expects Bears GM Ryan Pace to target cornerback and offensive line, potentially with multiple picks, in the draft this year. 
• Jahns adds that while he doesn’t see Pace trying to trade up in the second or into the first round, he could see Chicago moving up for targets in the mid-rounds. Trading back with their two second-round picks is also an option for the Bears. 
• The Bears recently had a video call with UCLA TE Devin Asiasi who has been mentioned as a player who could go higher than expected. (Mike Garafolo) 

Lions

• ESPN’s Dan Graziano lists Patriots G Joe Thuney as a potential veteran who could be traded during the draft. Graziano points out Patriots HC Bill Belichick protege, Lions HC Matt Patricia, has a major need at guard. 

Packers

• Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline writes the Packers like Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks a lot and might even take him at the end of the first round. However, Pauline believes the second-round is a more likely option. 
• ESPN’s Rob Demovsky thinks TCU DT Ross Blacklock is in play for the Packers in the first round. 
• TCU CB Jeff Gladney had a video interview with the Packers. (Aaron Wilson)

Vikings

Vikings GM Rick Spielman said he’s had some “great conversations” with free-agent DE Everson Griffen and did not close the door on his potential return to Minnesota.

“I don’t think things broke down,” Spielman said, via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I’ve had some great conversations with Everson.”

Tomasson, citing a source close to Griffen, reports that the veteran defensive end is unlikely to re-sign with the Vikings but there “remains at least a chance” if they don’t select a pass rusher in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

As for the Vikings trading WR Stefon Diggs to the Bills, Spielman said he had initially had no intention of dealing Diggs while at the NFL Combine. 

“We had no intention of trading Diggs at the combine,” Spielman said. “He was a great player for us, he was great in the community. But then there was an opportunity, business opportunity that came up, that as this evolved we felt was both good for Stefon and was good for us, and we decided to go ahead and make the trade. But we’ll always appreciate what Stefon has done for us in Minnesota.”

Speilman wouldn’t comment on Diggs’ issues with the organization but said the draft capital offered by the Bills was too good to pass up. 

“I’m going to leave all those internal discussions in house,” Spielman said. “It just came to a point, I think, where the draft capital we were able to get for him was a good business decision for us and it was also a good business decision for him.”

• According to Darren Wolfson, the Vikings have stayed “connected” with Missouri DT Jordan Elliott since the NFL Combine.
• Chris Tomasson reports that Vikings’ franchise S Anthony Harris will wait until after the 2020 NFL Draft to decide whether to take part in the virtual offseason program that starts next week.
• Tomasson notes that Harris hasn’t signed the franchise tender and would need to sign a participation agreement for the offseason program. 
• Tomasson adds that Harris is in “no rush” to sign the tag because he still wants a long term extension.
• Tomasson, citing sources, also reports that the Vikings and Harris are expected to have “some negotiations” prior to the draft but there “doesn’t seem to be a chance” of the two sides finalizing a deal anytime soon. 
• ESPN’s Dan Graziano lists Harris as a potential veteran who could be traded during the draft, with the Browns and Raiders potential landing spots. 
• ESPN’s Josina Anderson says the Vikings expressed some interest in Redskins LT Trent Williams a month ago, but nothing has transpired from there. 
• While Vikings LT Riley Reiff has struggled some in recent seasons, Spielman believes his play will improve with more time in the same scheme: “Riley has been a good player for us out there…I think in general the issue has been we went through 3 or 4 offensive schemes since coach (Mike) Zimmer has been here. So for our players to stick with the same scheme and terminology, we feel is going to be a huge benefit for our players…Kirk (Cousins) had probably his best year as a pro staying in the same scheme for a second year.” (Josina Anderson)
• TCU CB Jeff Gladney had a video interview with the Vikings. (Aaron Wilson)