NFC Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

• Michael Rothstein of ESPN notes that as he switches from cornerback to wide receiver, Jamal Agnew makes the team because of his flexibility and return skills. However, his roster spot could be lost to rookie Jason Huntley who could steal the returner job.
• Veteran guards Joe Dahl and Kenny Wiggins are likely to make the roster after having significant roles last year, according to Rothstein. Dahl could also possibly end up starting at either guard spot for the Lions.
• Rothstein notes several issues with the defensive line including if young players Austin Bryant and Dashawn Hand will fair well after returning from injuries in 2019. Rothstein is also curious to see how quickly rookie Julian Okwara will adjust to the NFL playing alongside his brother Romeo Okwara.
• The NFL and NFLPA are discussing a 2021 salary cap floor of $175 million, which is down from the $198.2 million this year. It’s possible that the figure could be pushed higher, depending on the revenue losses incurred by the league from the 2020 season.
• Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com projects the Lions to have $18,141,279 of cap space next year, assuming the cap is set at $175 million.

Packers

• The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman writes the Packers appear to have taken a step back on the right side of their offensive line for 2020. 
• After allowing RT Bryan Bulaga to walk in free agency, Green Bay plans to replace him with either new OT Ricky Wagner or by moving RG Billy Turner out to tackle. 
• In the latter scenario, Schneidman says Packer G Lane Taylor is a candidate to start after taking a pay cut to remain with the team. 
• Schneidman mentions Packers C Lucas Patrick and sixth-round C Jake Hanson are candidates to take over if Green Bay doesn’t re-sign starting C Corey Linsley in 2021. 
• In their yearly financial report, it was revealed the Packers increased their profit by well over 9,000 percent in 2020. (Ben Fischer)
• Green Bay also received $296 million in national shared revenue from the NFL, which mostly reflects TV rights. That was up almost eight percent from the prior year. 

Vikings

• ESPN’s Cronin projects the Vikings will keep just two quarterbacks on the active roster again, with seventh-round QB Nate Stanley going to the practice squad. 
• Cronin believes fifth-round WR K.J. Osborn will be the last receiver on the roster ahead of Chad Beebe and UDFA Quartney Davis. 
• With the influx of youth on the defensive line, Cronin thinks the Vikings will part ways with veteran DT Shamar Stephen this preseason. 
• Cronin has 12 of Minnesota’s 15 draft picks making the final roster along with one rookie undrafted free agent, CB Nevelle Clarke. She left off Stanley, sixth-round OT Blake Brandel and seventh-round C Kyle Hinton.