2026 NFL Draft Focus: NFC North

For years, the NFC North was ruled by the Green Bay Packers. The Lions, Bears, and Vikings have each threatened that reign, but last year all three finished above .500. Ian Stuart Martin breaks down which prospects help the NFC North teams in their arms race.

Detroit Lions

Head Coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes have struggled to keep the Lions competitive since their breakout 2023 season. They have amazing talent, great drafts, and good coaching. However, the Lions have had coaches and players poached each offseason. They need more knee-cap biters at pick 17.

Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)

Kadyn Proctor is like a California redwood tree that came to life. At 6’6⅝”, 352 lbs., with 33⅜” arms, he has actually lost weight, starting 2025 closer to 370 lbs. before shedding pounds as the season progressed. He’s still a giant, but the blueprint for a successful tackle is there. Proctor has surprising quickness and burst, as seen by a 32” vertical at the combine. He has good grip strength and great power generation from his hulking legs. Few NFL defenders could stop him once he’s got a full head of steam.

Proctor has the massive, mauling identity that Dan Campbell loves, but his technique is spotty. As expected of a player who turns 21 in June. His weight causes him to lose to the inside counter moves, as he struggles to shift after moving backwards on his first step. This has led to a series of bad habits: leaning, high pad levels, and narrow feet ruining his balance. If the Lions’ staff unlock his agility by dropping more weight and coaching out the flaws, his sneaky athleticism can take over. Worst case, he shifts to guard, and the revolving door at left guard becomes a franchise cornerstone.

Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah)

If Proctor is a great run-blocker with questionable pass protection, Utah’s Caleb Lomu is the opposite. As a 21-year-old redshirt sophomore, Lomu is still growing into his 6’6¼”, 313 lb. frame. His footwork is smooth and agile, and his hand usage is disciplined but strong. He moves well in run-blocking, but he stays too upright and struggles to utilize his power. In pass-protection, he struggled against strong bull rushers. With additional muscle and weight, this can be resolved over time.

With Taylor Decker’s retirement last month, the Lions need another franchise tackle. Whether Lomu plays his natural left tackle, or Penei Sewell moves to left and Lomu takes right tackle, Lomu could be that long-term partner. His floor is very high, in part because of his great IQ. He’ll struggle with power, but his ability to read rush plans, paired with his movement, will let him slide easily into an already well-oiled offense.

Minnesota Vikings

Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made a massive mistake in letting Sam Darnold go after he finally hit his potential in 2024. Darnold is now a Super Bowl champ with the Seahawks, and Adofo-Mensah was fired in January. Now, O’Connell and interim GM Rob Brzezinski are building around free-agent quarterback Kyler Murray with the 18th overall pick.

Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)

The Vikings are about to run into a wide receiver problem. WR2 Jordan Addison is in the last year of his rookie deal, and the Vikings haven’t decided on picking up his fifth-year option. Projected WR3 Tai Felton is a second-year third-rounder with only 25 yards last year. Even WR1 Justin Jefferson had his worst season. Washington’s Denzel Boston gives the Vikings a big-bodied X receiver to open the field for Jefferson and potentially replace Addison at WR2.

At 6’3⅝”, 212 lbs., with 32” arms, Boston is the top pure X-receiver in this draft. He aggressively pursues the ball, fights hard on contested catches with strong hands, and uses his strength to muscle out lighter defensive backs. He’s a true red-zone threat with 11 touchdowns last year. He lacks elite speed or change of direction, but his acceleration gives him great separation early. His fight and finesse bring physicality the Vikings will appreciate and draw attention that would make Jefferson and Murray’s jobs easier.

Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)

Harrison Smith is still unsure if he’ll return. Even if he does, he’s 37 years old. Josh Metellus will retain his role at strong safety, but the Vikings need a future roaming, instinctual, high-IQ free safety. Oh look, Dillon Thieneman. At 6’0⅛”, 201 lbs., Thieneman is the most commonly mocked pick for the Vikings, and for good reason.

Brian Flores’ defensive scheme focuses on complexity and confusion. Thieneman isn’t just a free safety who can read quarterbacks’ eyes; he’s also versatile, with blazing 4.35 forty speed to play anywhere in the secondary. His change of direction isn’t elite, so he can’t cover shifty route runners, but everyone else fears his ball-hawking. Even if the ball is caught, Thieneman is a polished tackler with 95 tackles this past year at Oregon. He’s the perfect blend of best player available and best fit for the Vikings.

Chicago Bears

GM Ryan Poles finally has his head coach of the future in Ben Johnson. Everything has come together, and Caleb Williams is blossoming under Johnson’s offense. Now the Bears need to seize this opportunity by building up their defense. This draft has good depth, so several great prospects are available at pick 25.

Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)

The Bears need young talent on the defensive line. Keldric Faulk is very raw but has elite tools that tempt any defensive mind. At 6’5⅞”, 276 lbs., with 34⅜” arms, Faulk is a true junior with elite strength. He’s the top run-defender in this draft. His block-shedding, anchor, play strength, and length are all elite. He sets a strong edge and will trouble any NFL team that runs toward his side of the field. His pass rush is hurt by his size. Outside a decent first step, Faulk is slow, but he’s continuing to lose weight, which could help unlock his pass rush. Right now, he’s a one-dimensional rusher with an above-average bull rush. With time and coaching, he can learn more moves and use his hands more aggressively.

The Bears’ interior defensive line needs help. Gervon Dexter is a great pass rusher but struggles against the run. Grady Jarrett is solid but has regressed the past two years, and last year’s second-rounder Shemar Turner tore his ACL early in the season. Faulk has the strength and tape to elevate his side of the line immensely. He is still very young and needs significant development to become more than a run specialist. But landing talent, tools, and youth like Faulk’s late in the first round has insane upside for the Bears if he reaches his potential. 

Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)

At 6’5¾”, 262 lbs., with 33” arms, Zion Young is a high-motor monster. He doesn’t have elite athleticism, but he has tools. Young’s first step is great, but that owes more to great snap anticipation than to his average speed and acceleration. His pass-rush moves are simple but effective. At the NFL level, he’ll need to add to his arsenal. Frequently, if his initial move fails, Young keeps churning his legs and attempts to muscle through. The results are inconsistent: he gets swallowed by big tackles or he’s lucky and catches a tackle a half-step late. He needs counters and more moves once his rush stalls.

What the Bears really get from Young is a relentless pursuer who sets the edge with force and eats up run plays. He isn’t as elite as Faulk, but Young’s drive and love of throwing people around bleeds through his game. With Young, the Bears add dependable effort and a great No. 2 edge if he adds more to his arsenal.

Green Bay Packers

Head Coach Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst won’t have this year’s and next year’s first-round picks due to the Micah Parsons trade. Parsons is worth it, but now the Packers need to hit on their remaining picks. With the 52nd overall pick, they’re looking for depth pieces to complement their talented roster.

Keyron Crawford (EDGE, Auburn)

With Parsons’ late-season ACL tear, he won’t be healthy at the start of the season. The Packers need pass rush early. Enter Keyron Crawford. Auburn’s Crawford is a 3-4 scheme-fit stand-up edge rusher. At 6’4⅜”, 253 lbs., with 32” arms, Crawford shoots out of a gun on every snap. His speed, burst, bend, and pursuit are tantalizing. Although not often, he also showed the agility to drop back in coverage.

Crawford struggles in run defense against heavier tackles, but he’s still valuable. Rotational pass rush is becoming increasingly important in the NFL. Crawford has the talent, but he needs to work on his hand usage, develop counters, fix his missed-tackle problem, and add finesse to handle the run. He only started playing football in his senior year of high school and needs experience, but he has the clay to be coached and molded into a solid NFL player, given time.

Derrick Moore (EDGE, Michigan)

Like Crawford, Derrick Moore has experience in a 3-4 scheme. However, Moore doesn’t have the elite speed, or the bend Crawford possesses. At 6’3⅞”, 255 lbs., with long 33⅜” arms, Moore uses his length well and has mastered a strong bull rush. His best tape comes when he loops inside, using his long arm and high motor to catch guards off balance. Moore’s long arm is a scary weapon that consistently generates pressure. He isn’t amazing at run defense, but his motor shows up and he does set a solid edge.

Moore’s elite pass-rush win rate, 36%, points to continued success transitioning to the NFL. While he’s one-dimensional and could add more moves, his long-armed bull rush is a proven weapon with 9.5 sacks last year. If tackles get past the long arm and make solid contact, he struggles. These issues can be resolved with coaching or even by moving him inside to defensive end. Moore may lack elite athleticism, but he’s polished and knows how to win with what he has, something many prospects never figure out.