NFC North Free Agency Outlook

Detroit Lions [$8m]

(OG, OC, OT, DE, OLB, ILB, SS, CB)

Outlook: Uneasy.  First of all, how can I say great when the amazing talented QB can’t stay on the field?  Without him, they will always be garbage.  Second, their defensive line better be the best in the league because their back seven is atrocious.  If a running back gets through a hole or the QB has more than two seconds to get rid of the ball, this defense will get shredded just like last year.  If they can land a solid CB and beef up their LB corps AND IF QB Matthew Stafford is healthy, this team could be a playoff team.

My guess: They go heavy after CBs Nnamdi Asomugha or Johnathan Joseph. I think they have a decent chance at landing one of the two.  From there I think they will look for a solid tackler in the middle like MLB Stephen Tulloch or OLB Justin Durant. OLB James Anderson played well last year and could be a value pickup for a LB-needy team like the Lions.  I think S Quintin Mikell will be on their radar, but they would have to miss on their two top CBs to pursue him.  This still leaves them with a weak offensive line, but Mr. Schwartz doesn’t seem to care, it’s not like they have a glass quarterback…   …..   …..

Green Bay Packers [$0m]

(OG, OC, DE, OLB, CB)

Outlook: Amazing.  Good coach, elite GM in Ted Thompson, elite QB in Aaron Rodgers, elite edge rusher in Clay Matthews, new, young additions to the O-line and WR corps, and a bit of youth injected into the CB spot.  They have trouble on their interior O-line, but besides that are good at most positions and incredibly deep.  This team is right on the money, though, with the cap, so they will have to be creative moving forward.

My guess:  DE Cullen Jenkins is going to walk (probably to the Redskins), so look for the Packers to add a mid-level DE like Victor Ambiamiri who is only 25 and is great against the run and getting to the QB just like Jenkins.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see a veteran QB like Todd Collins come to Green Bay to back up Rodgers.  The Packers could also use a spark at RB, so I would love to see Darren Sproles there.  Otherwise, LB Nick Barnett will likely be a cap casualty and the Pack will probably add depth in the interior O-Line.

Minnesota Vikings [$5m]

(OT, OG, OC, WR, DT, OLB, SS, FS)

Outlook: Unfortunate. New top draft pick Christian Ponder needs to be a top 5 quarterback in this league for this team to be a playoff team right now.  They are weak in many areas and are old in many areas.  The do have Adrian Peterson, but they will likely have to cut WR Bernard Berrian to get back under the cap, so that’s it for the offense, and their O-Line was terrible a season ago. Old+not that talented top to bottom=bad news for the Vikes.

My guess: they try to bolster the O-Line because their only chance at being a decent team is for AP to go nuts every game.  Look for them to go after all the big-name O-Lineman and hopefully land at least 1 of these guys (in order of fit to their scheme): OG Marshal Yanda, OT Jared Gaither, OT Tyson Clabo, OG Harvey Dahl, OG Justin Blaylock, OT Willie Colon.  I think they have a decent chance at landing at least one top O-Lineman, but they need three to have a decent O-Line.  Next, this need run-stuffing DTs. Look for them to attempt at cheaper guys like DT Fred Evans.  They also need help at safety, but I don’t think they can afford anything more than a below average starter like S Atari Bigby.