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The NFL landscape has quieted now that the draft has passed and rookie minicamps await.
A week after the selection weekend, the storylines across the NFC North reflect those of behind-the-scenes draft-day moments and promising third-day picks. Two newsworthy articles came out of Detroit this weekend, commemorating such moments from the Lions’ draft that almost went in an alternate direction. Today’s musings discuss those memories, while expanding upon a high-upside fourth-rounder in Minnesota and the historical success of new NFL quarterbacks as Chicago looks to start its rookie as soon as realistically possible.
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions turned down ‘solid’ trade-down offer to draft Penei Sewell
Sewell’s feet and intensity were enough for the Lions to keep their seventh overall selection, rather than trading down and hoping the Oregon tackle was still on the board.
‘Comical’ story about how Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes eventually decided to pick DT Levi Onwuzurike
It appears Detroit was ready to move in a different direction with its second-round pick, but a late change of mind for both the coach and GM led to Onwuzurike’s name being called.
Jermar Jefferson: If Lions’ Offense Is Backed Up, ‘I Can Take It 90’
Like the Packers, Detroit added a seventh-round running back that the team is excited about and offers the Lions some game-changing play speed.
Minnesota Vikings
Vikings will not exercise fifth-year option on Mike Hughes
It was not long ago that Hughes was a late first-round pick of the Vikings and a pre-draft target of the Packers. But now it appears that the fourth-year corner will be hitting the open market at the conclusion of the season.
Breaking Down DE Janarius Robinson
Minnesota’s third-day edge-rushing prospect has some exceptional athletic traits to work with if he can put the whole package together at the pro level.
Adam Thielen Has Blunt Message For Green Bay Packers Fans
Simply put, Lambeau Field is not Thielen’s favorite place to play.
Chicago Bears
Storylines entering Chicago Bears rookie minicamp
Justin Fields will dominate the headlines all summer, but the offensive tackle battles will be noteworthy in themselves.
How Well Do New Quarterbacks Play?
The first eight starts are usually a good barometer for assessing the future success of new quarterbacks, particularly when examining a few specific stats.
Who is the 1 player the Bears missed out on in the draft?
One of Green Bay’s third-day picks made the list of Windy City Gridiron’s players that the Bears missed out on during the 2021 NFL Draft.