Head Coach: Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers

LaFleur has not only won the division the last two years but has also gone to the NFC championship game both years as well. Another reason why LaFleur is the pick here is due to the number of Packers on the team. The continuity he has with his players and the scheme he presents should bode well for our team.

Offense

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Reigning NFL MVP…. need I say more.

Running Back: Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

Can’t go wrong with either Dalvin Cook or Aaron Jones here. However, I find cook to be more explosive and a better pass catcher. Cook is coming off a 17-touchdown season to go along with 1,557 rushing yards. Widely recognized as a top-3 RB, Cook has been able to produce behind a questionable offensive line his entire career. With the offensive line that we will be assembling later, Cook is an easy choice here.

Wide Receivers: Devante Adams, Green Bay Packers; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings; Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears

Widely recognized as the best WR in the NFL, Adams is a matchup nightmare to opposing cornerbacks. Adams caught a league-high 18 touchdowns last season and has at least 10 touchdowns in four of the last five seasons.

Jefferson took the league by storm during his rookie of the year campaign amassing 1,400 yards (rookie record) and 7 touchdowns. As our #2 receiver, Jefferson will be matched up with opposing teams #2 corner which could result in another 1,400+ season especially with Rodgers under center.

The third and final WR spot was between Allen Robinson and Adam Thielen. I ultimately went with Robinson in this case due to his excellent rout-running ability. Though he has been inconsistent this season, Robinson is sill a top-10 talent at his position and would benefit from better QB play.

Tight end: T.J Hockenson, Detroit Lions

Pretty easy decision here. Hockenson is by far the best TE in the NFC North and is a top-5 TE in the NFL. Not only is he a #1 option on offense, but he is an excellent run-blocker as well.

Center: Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions

As the first center selected in the 2018 draft, Ragnow has improved every year. Coming off a Second-team All Pro selection in 2020, Ragnow has solidified his position as a top-3 center in the league.

Tackles: David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers & Taylor Decker, Detroit Lions

After a breakout year in 2020, Decker found himself as a top-10 tackle with tremendous pass-blocking ability. For the sake of this team, since Decker and Bakhtiari both play left tackle, we plan on moving him to right tackle.

Pro Football Focus has ranked Bakhtiari the second-best tackle in the NFL three times in the last four years. With 2 First-team All Pro selections and 3 Second-team All Pro, Bakhatiari was an easy choice here.

Guards: James Daniels, Chicago Bears & Elgton Jenkins, Green Bay Packers

After being drafted in the second round in 2018, Daniels spent time at right guard, left guard, and even center due to the Bears offensive line injuries. At 6’4, 327 lbs. Daniels has good pass-blocking abilities and is seen as the Bears best offensive lineman. He should fit well between Decker and Ragnow.

2019, 2nd round pick, Elgton Jenkins, was selected to the Pro Bowl in his second year in the league. Adding Jenkins will give our offensive line some continuity since he will be playing alongside teammate David Bakhtiari.  

Defense

Defensive Tackles: Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers & Akiem Hicks, Chicago Bears

What better way to start building our defense with two stud run-stopping DT’s? Though they don’t accumulate a ton of sacks (leave that for the De’s), getting pressure up the middle should be no problem with the duo of Clark and Hicks.

Defensive Ends: Kalil Mack, Chicago Bears & Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings

Arguably the best DE in the NFL, Mack has averaged over 10 sacks every season and routinely gets pressure on the QB. Mack is also extremely reliable missing only 2 games in his entire career. Ranked the #1 edge rusher by PFF in 2020, this decision is a no-brainer.

Like Mack, Hunter also averages over 10 sacks a season while also only missing 2 games in his career. The duo of Mack and Hunter should account for over 20 sacks a season while also allowing the team to pressure the QB rushing only four players.

 

Linebackers: Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings; Roquan Smith, Chicago Bears; Za’Darius Smith, Green Bay Packers

Look up tackling machine in the dictionary and you will see these three linebackers. Kendrick is third in the league this year in total tackles. Kendricks has racked up over 100 tackles in every season except his rookie year (92). Similarly, Roquan Smith also has over 100 tackles in each of his first three season. Both Kendricks and Roquan Smith have great speed and are two of the best LB’s in the league.

Za’Darius Smith has been one of, if not the best Packers defender in recent years. Smith adds a rushing presence to our LB core averaging over 11 sacks in the last 3 season to go along with 6 forced fumbles during that time.

 

Cornerbacks: Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers & Patrick Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Other than Alexander, our cornerback group may be the weakest on our team. Alexander is clearly the best corner in the division and is a top-3 corner in the NFL when healthy. Alexander will be relied upon to shut down the opposing teams #1 receiver with his excellent man-to-man coverage.

Patrick Peterson enters his 10th year in the NFL and his first with the Vikings. As is a theme with our team, Peterson is very reliable missing only 6 game sin his entire career. Though his speed may not be what it once was during his time in Arizona, Peterson is still an excellent tackler and can consistently get 3 interceptions a season.

Strong Safety: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

Smith has been one of the more consistent safeties in the league since he was drafted in 2012. Smith has three seasons where he has had 5 interception and has recoded at least 2 interceptions in all but one season. Smith is the definition of a ballhawk averaging over 87 total tackles a season. With tremendous speed and awareness, Smith has a knack for making big plays.

Free Safety: Adrian Amos, Green Bay Packers

Though he normally lines at strong safety, Amos’s talent is too good to leave off our team. PFF graded Amos as the best coverage safety in the NFL last season. not known for his interceptions, only 8 in his career, Amos is excellent at pass breakups and staying on the field, only 4 missed game sin his career.