NFC North Post-Draft Rankings
Now that we are through free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft, the NFC North is locked in and ready for battle. This division has become one of, if not the most offensively talented division in football. It is also one of the most competitive divisions with a ton of changes from the Chicago Bears. The Lions and Packers will remain talented and the Vikings are looking to stay in the mix. All four of these teams will compete for the NFC North Championship and it should be a very competitive 2024 Season.
1. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions will still be the most talented and well-rounded team heading into the 2024 Season. The Detroit culture has created an identity for this team led by Dan Campbell and Jared Goff. Detroit recently extended star receiver Amon Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell. They have also acquired players in free agency and the draft to help their defensive front and secondary. Brad Holmes has been drafting for the future of Detroit’s defense and looks to bring home their second consecutive Division Championship in the 2024 Season.
Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA Today
2. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers will look to continue where they left off last season. Jordan Love had a lot of questions heading into his first season as a starter and slowly, but surely, he proved the doubters wrong. Green Bay has a ton of young offensive wide receiver talent in Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs. They also acquired Josh Jacobs to improve their run game from last season. Green Bay is always a tough opponent in the NFC North and will look to compete for a playoff spot. As for right now, beating the Lions for the NFC North Division seems like a tough task for such a young team.
Photo Credit: Mike Mulholland
3. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears will be starting the 2024 Season on paper as one of the most improved teams in the NFL. An entirely new look for their offense as they picked up Keenan Allen and D’Andre Swift in free agency. Along with that they took Caleb Williams with the number one pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and followed that with Rome Odunze with their ninth pick. The Bears will also have new coordinators on both sides of the ball. There is a lot to look forward to with this new Bear’s team, but with the Packers and Lion’s talent and chemistry, it will be hard to reach the top. The Chicago Bears look great on paper, but they have a lot to prove heading into the 2024 Season.
Photo Credit: Gregory Shamus
4. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings answered their questions at quarterback when they picked J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick in the NFL Draft. Their offense already has great talent in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. They also signed running back Aaron Jones during free agency. McCarthy landed in a great spot under Head Coach Kevin O'Connell. Their offense has the pieces, but there are still questions if J.J. or Sam Arnold will be able to use them to their full potential.
Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn, AP Photo
The NFC North is going to be a highly competitive division throughout the 2024 Season. Detroit and Green Bay are coming off great seasons. The Bears and Vikings look to improve and compete for the division title. Detroit’s dangerous offense and gritty defense are going to be tough to knock off the top, but the Packer’s offensive chemistry is building and the Bears have a completely new look. Will J.J. McCarthy shock them all and have an outstanding season? There are still a ton of questions surrounding these teams as there is so much young and unseen talent. Now that free agency is over, and the Draft is complete, these teams will prepare to fight for the top spot in the NFC North.
