When it came to the 2020 NFL Draft, most Chicago Bears fans were glued to their televisions and phones, wondering who the team would select with their respective draft picks.
The Bears selected seven draft picks over the weekend and have already received fairly high grades. But what about the other three teams in the NFC North? How did the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings do in the draft? Read below to see their complete draft classes and how they made out.
Detroit Lions
- Round 1, Pick #3 – CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
- Round 2, Pick #35 – RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia
- Round 3, Pick #67 – EDGE Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
- Round 3, Pick #75 – G Jonah Jackson, Ohio State
- Round 4, Pick #121 – G Logan Stenberg, Kentucky
- Round 5, Pick #166 – WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin
- Round 5, Pick #172 – RB Jason Huntley, New Mexico State
- Round 6, Pick #197 – DT John Penisini, Utah
- Round 7, Pick #235 – DT Jashon Cornell, Ohio State
Analysis: The Lions have been the doormat in the NFC North for quite some time, but their 2020 draft class could be a key factor in their resurgence. They grabbed a pair of Buckeyes with two of their top picks, highlighted by their top selection of Jeff Okudah. The shutdown corner replaces recently-traded cornerback Darius Slay and instantly improves the Detroit secondary under head coach Matt Patricia. Jackson, the other Ohio State player drafted early on, has the opportunity to earn a starting spot on the offensive line.
Other highlights include D’Andre Swift, who should fit nicely with running back Kerryon Johnson, and Julian Okwara, an edge rusher from Notre Dame who slid down draft boards due to injury concerns. While the Lions puzzled some people by doubling up at certain positions during the draft, they clearly improved and addressed a number of needs.
How their draft impacts the Bears: The Lions certainly improved in this draft and could give a few Bears some problems, starting with Okudah. He’ll immediately draw the assignment of covering Bears receiver Allen Robinson. Okudah is extremely talented, but will need to deal with a learning curve. Can he keep up with Robinson? Another tough matchup may include Okwara against the Bears tackles. If healthy, Okwara could give the Lions pass rush a boost against Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie. Finally, Swift will be a mismatch at times against the Bears linebackers as a change-of-pace back.
Green Bay Packers
- Round 1, Pick #26 – QB Jordan Love, Utah State
- Round 2, Pick #62 – RB A.J. Dillon, Boston College
- Round 3, Pick #94 – TE Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati
- Round 5, Pick #175 – LB Kamal Martin, Minnesota
- Round 6, Pick #192 – OL Jon Runyan, Michigan
- Round 6, Pick #208 – C Jake Hanson, Oregon
- Round 6, Pick #209 – OT Simon Stepaniak, Indiana
- Round 7, Pick #236 – S Vernon Scott, TCU
- Round 7, Pick #242 – EDGE Jonathan Garvin, Miami
Analysis: The Packers were universally panned for their draft, highlighted by the controversial decision to trade up for Jordan Love. Not only is he viewed as a long-term project who was a reach in the first round, but the Packers ignored other holes to help quarterback Aaron Rodgers and instead drafted his potential successor, creating unrest up north. They also drafted A.J. Dillon in the second round, another head-scratching pick, although the team sees him contributing in the passing game.
Another major question mark was picking Josiah Deguara in the third round, who is listed as a tight end but will likely be used as a fullback. The Packers spent their day three selections shoring up their offense and defensive lines for the most part, leading to the biggest question mark of all. In a draft billed as boasting the deepest wide receiver classes in a long time, why didn’t the Packers select another player to assist Pro-Bowl receiver Davante Adams?
How their draft impacts the Bears: This draft impact the Bears more than people realize. The clock is now ticking on Rodgers’ Packers career with the selection of Love. Not only is Green Bay serious about Rodgers’ replacement, but they have reportedly created unrest between him and the organization. The Rodgers era could be coming to an end, which means the end of his terror against the Bears.
On the field, the Packers appear to be establishing more of a ground-and-pound offense with running backs Aaron Jones, Jamal Williams and now Dillon and Deguara. The Bears run defense has been superb over the last few years and they’ll need to keep up their high level of play.
Minnesota Vikings
- Round 1, Pick #22 – WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
- Round 1, Pick #31 – CB Jeff Gladney, TCU
- Round 2, Pick #58 – OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
- Round 3, Pick #89 – CB Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State
- Round 4, Pick #117 – DE D.J. Wonnum, South Carolina
- Round 4, Pick #130 – DT James Lynch, Baylor
- Round 4, Pick #132 – LB Troy Dye, Oregon
- Round 5, Pick #169 – CB Harrison Hand
- Round 5, Pick #176 – WR K.J. Osborn, Miami
- Round 6, Pick #203 – OT Blake Brandel, Oregon State
- Round 6, Pick #205 – S Josh Metellus, Michigan
- Round 7, Pick #225 – DE Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
- Round 7, Pick #244 – QB Nate Stanley, Iowa
- Round 7, Pick #249 – S Brian Cole II, Mississippi State
- Round 7, Pick #253 – OL Kyle Hinton, Washburn
Analysis: Talk about a haul. The Vikings doubled an average amount of draft picks and filled quite a few holes, beginning with Justin Jefferson. The LSU star was the primary weapon for quarterback Joe Burrow and will fill the void left by receiver Stefon Diggs, who was traded to the Buffalo Bills earlier in the offseason. Jeff Gladney, their other first round pick, helps their decimated secondary, now with cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes on different teams.
But one of their biggest steals came on day two, when Ezra Cleveland slid to the third round. The Vikings pounced and came away with a potential Week 1 starter. Overall, the Vikings addressed many needs and were listed as winners according to many draft experts.
How their draft impacts the Bears: When the selections of Jefferson and Gladney were made, I imagined Bears receiver Allen Robinson and cornerback Kyle Fuller awkwardly looking at each other. Both rookies could become problems for the Bears’ starters down the road. It’s clear the Vikings have a deep rookie class but will their losses in free agency affect their record negatively? After a playoff appearance in 2019, they could see some regression, opening the door the Bears to return to the postseason. But this rookie class is strong and may give Chicago fits sooner rather than later.
