NFC North Rundown: Vikings & Bears may be looking to move up as NFL Draft approaches

NFL Draft week is here!

While the Green Bay Packers have been very active in round-one trade chatter in recent years, it remains to be seen if the team will stand pat with the 29th overall pick on Thursday. Across the NFC North, such uncertainty may exist to an even larger extent.

While Detroit has shopped its seventh overall selection to move back and accumulate picks, Minnesota is rumored to be trying to move in the opposite direction in a quest to stabilize its offensive line. Plus, Justin Fields could grab Chicago’s attention if the quarterback indeed does not get drafted third overall by San Francisco. The Bears would have to make a significant deal to move up from the 20th selection, but it is possible for a general manager and head coach on the hot seat.

Will every team in the division be on the move in this year’s first round? Although that question will only be answered on Thursday night, today’s musings examine some of those scenarios and which positions could be addressed.

Detroit Lions

NFL Draft rumor: Trade-hungry Detroit Lions have fielded ‘a lot of phone calls’

Philadelphia is one of the teams that have contacted Detroit regarding a move into the seventh pick prior to Thursday’s draft.

NFL draft preview: Detroit Lions hunting for secondary help a year after taking Jeff Okudah

If the Lions stick with their original selection, could they pull a relative surprise and pick another top cornerback to pair opposite last year’s first rounder?

Dan Campbell says Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Micah Parsons all ‘worthy’ of 7th overall pick

Parsons is one player that the Lions have met with several times, but are the head coach’s remarks just a bunch of smoke?

Chicago Bears

A Small Opening for Bears?

If the reports are true coming out of San Francisco, then Justin Fields could be available after the third pick. Would a desperate management make the move up to grab him?

Chicago Bears and the 2021 NFL draft: Everything you need to know, including what the mock drafts say, how to watch and which local prospects to keep an eye on

This draft primer details the latest players being chosen by the Bears in mock drafts, quarterback scoop, and local Chicago-area products to keep an eye on.

Former Bears KR Devin Hester was nearly drafted by the Titans

Fortunately for Chicago and unfortunately for Green Bay, Tennessee passed on Hester and gave the NFC North its most feared return man for almost a decade.

Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Could Use a DE- But Which DE?

A pair of Big Ten pass rushers headline the list of potential targets for the Vikings midway through the first round.

Vikings Have Made Calls About Trading Up Into Top 10, Likely For Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater

Minnesota hasn’t traded up in the first round since 1987, but the rumor is that they have been actively trying to move up. And it might just be to bolster the offensive line.

With Jeff Gladney’s status uncertain, Vikings’ draft interest in cornerbacks has increased

Draft picks and free agents over the course of the past year have helped Minnesota reshape its cornerback room, but the second and third day of the draft could provide additional support in light of the charges against Gladney.