Chicago Bears
Key acquisitions: WR Keenan Allen, RB D’Andre Swift, S Kevin Byard, G Ryan Bates, TE Gerald Everett, S Jonathan Owens, DE Jacob Martin, OT Matt Pryor, C Coleman Shelton, QB Brett Rypien
Re-signed: CB Jaylon Johnson
Departures: QB Justin Fields (Steelers), S Eddie Jackson, G Cody Whitehair (Raiders), WR Darnell Mooney (Falcons), DT Justin Jones (Cardinals), RB D’Onta Foreman (Browns), G Dan Feeney (Vikings), WR Equanimeous St. Brown (Saints)
Remaining free agents: DE Yannick Ngakoue, C Lucas Patrick, TE Robert Tonyan, DE Rasheem Green
Analysis: Huge offseason for the Bears. They got the first pick because the Panthers stink, and they made their decision by trading away Justin Fields, giving up on their 2021 first-rounder for a sure-fire prospect. They also made another big trade to acquire a star receiver in Keenan Allen from the Chargers. Allen is a top WR in this league still at age 31 and will live in the slot with D.J. Moore on the outside. Darnell Mooney signed with the Falcons, so receiver is still a need.
Also on offense is D’Andre Swift, who is a proven good player with the Lions and Eagles, and upgrades their running game over Khalil Herbert. The offensive line also added Ryan Bates in a trade with the Bills after they cut longtime starter Cody Whitehair. They also added depth with Matt Pryor and Coleman Shelton.
Jaylon Johnson is back after four great years with the team on a big four-year extension, and is joined by veteran safeties Kevin Byard and Jonathan Owens.
Conclusion: Take Caleb Williams first overall, then a wide receiver with the ninth pick. Or trade back who cares, the world as at your disposal Bears.
Detroit Lions
Key acquisitions: DE Marcus Davenport, CB Carlton Davis, CB Amik Robertson, G Kevin Zeitler
Re-signed: G Graham Glasgow, CB Emmanuel Moseley, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, T Dan Skipper, K Michael Badgley, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CB Kindle Vildor, TE Brock Wright
Departures: G Jonah Jackson (Rams), S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Eagles), S Tracy Walker, DE Romeo Okwara (retired), CB Cameron Sutton, T Matt Nelson (Giants), WR Josh Reynolds (Broncos)
Remaining free agents: CB Will Harris, G Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Analysis: The Lions lost a couple key guys in Jonah Jackson and C.J. Gardner-Johnson (who missed most of the season but was still good), but they brought back a lot of important guys and signed some good ones.
Pass rush was a bit of an issue outside of Aidan Hutchinson, so they signed former first-rounder Marcus Davenport. The secondary was also a major issue so they revamped it by signing Amik Robertson from the Raiders and trading for Carlton Davis from the Buccaneers. They brought back Emmanuel Moseley and Kindle Vildor, but lost C.J. G-J, and cut Tracy Walker and Cam Sutton.
The Jonah Jackson loss is significant, but veteran Kevin Zeitler is a real good player that should slot in nicely. Graham Glasgow is also back in the fold on a three-year extension.
Conclusion: Defense and wide receiver should be the focus of this Lions draft. Quarterback, running back, tight end and offensive line is set. Add depth to the receiver room and take the best defensive players available, they need help basically everywhere. They have a rare pick at the end of the rounds, but they had an awesome 2023 season and have a good team, just need a little more help. They just re-signed Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell, their stars of the 2021 draft class and this team is looking to build something awesome.
Green Bay Packers
Key acquisitions: RB Josh Jacobs, S Xavier McKinney, K Greg Joseph, T Andre Dillard
Re-signed: RB A.J. Dillon, CB Keisean Nixon, CB Corey Ballentine, TE Tyler Davis, LB Eric Wilson
Departures: OT David Bakhtiari, RB Aaron Jones (Vikings), LB De’Vondre Campbell (49ers), S Darnell Savage (Jaguars), G Jon Runyan (Giants), S Jonathan Owens (Bears), T Yosh Nijman (Panthers), TE Josiah Deguara (Jaguars)
Remaining free agents: S Rudy Ford
Analysis: A rare very busy free agency for the Packers. They made two of the biggest splash signings in running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney who each got big-money four-year deals. Jacobs is a former rushing champ who’s had some injuries, but is still only 26 and will thrive in this offense. They cut longtime starter Aaron Jones and re-signed A.J. Dillon, so it was really a one for one swap. McKinney is a future All-Pro. He was awesome for the Giants and no one talked about him, but he is a huge playmaker, and being on the Packers will only brighten his star potential.
Some big losses for Green Bay was the release of oft-injured longtime left tackle David Bakhtiari and the aforementioned Jones. Defensive starters De’Vondre Campbell and Darnell Savage are also gone. Starting guard Jon Runyan is now a Giant, and backup tackle Yosh Nijman is a Panther, so there are some pretty notable vacancies on the offensive line.
Conclusion: The Packers got another franchise QB in Jordan Love, and after a successful 2023 season, are looking to build off that. Jacobs and McKinney were awesome signings, but they need offensive line help badly. That should be their focus at #25.
Minnesota Vikings
Key acquisitions: QB Sam Darnold, RB Aaron Jones, DE Jonathan Greenard, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, LB Blake Cashman, DT Jerry Tillery, WR Trent Sherfield, G Dan Feeney, CB Shaquill Griffin, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, DE Jihad Ward
Re-signed: DE Jonathan Bullard, T David Quessenberry, WR Brandon Powell
Departures: QB Kirk Cousins (Falcons), DE Danielle Hunter (Texans), RB Alexander Mattison (Raiders), DE Marcus Davenport (Lions), LB Jordan Hicks (Browns), DE D.J. Wonnum (Panthers), WR K.J. Osborn (Patriots), LB Troy Dye (Chargers), DE Dean Lowry (Steelers), QB Josh Dobbs (49ers), T Oli Udoh (Saints), K Greg Joseph (Packers)
Remaining free agents: LB Anthony Barr, G Dalton Risner, LB Nick Vigil, DT James Lynch, G Chris Reed
Analysis: Big turnover in Minnesota with Kirk Cousins signing with the Falcons. They made the big move six years ago to sign him and had a lot of success, but never got the ring. They’re gonna try again with Sam Darnold, who has looked decent when he’s played the last couple seasons, but this likely isn’t the only move to be made this offseason at the position.
They also parted with Danielle Hunter after nine seasons, replacing him with Texans breakout star Jonathan Greenard and Dolphins starter Andrew Van Ginkel. After one season as the full-time starter following four years as the RB2, Alexander Mattison was released and replaced with division rival Aaron Jones, who is a massive upgrade. Jordan Hicks was replaced with Blake Cashman, who had a nice season in Houston.
Conclusion: Quarterback and wide receiver are absolutely the biggest issues with this team. The team acquired another first-round pick early this offseason with many anticipating it being used as ammo to move up from the 11th pick into the top 5 to take a QB. That could be the move, but they also need to think about wide receiver. Justin Jefferson is unhappy with his QB gone entering a contract year, and the team has nothing beyond him and Jordan Addison after losing K.J. Osborn. The Vikings will be a big story in night one of the 2024 draft.
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