The NFC North has made an excellent case to be the best division in football, playing host to both an arms race and a tantalizing duo of young passers. Whether or not Caleb Williams or J.J. McCarthy pans out could dictate the power dynamics of the division, if not the conference at large. In the meantime, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers are staving off elimination during their respective competitive windows.
As such, there may be no division as primed for offseason overreactions. Would another playoff loss be an indictment of Jared Goff's upside? Did the Minnesota Vikings make the wrong decision at quarterback? Between the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency, big moves will be made, and finding a cheap, controllable superstar could be a deciding factor in 2026.
Let's take a look at where these teams could spend capital in April.
Detroit Lions
Urgent needs: Edge rusher, cornerback
Worth considering: Linebacker, defensive tackle, offensive tackle
Detroit is in a position to make a luxury pick, but after years of injuries destroying talented defenses, it's worth considering reinforcements on this side of the ball. A second edge rusher to amplify Aidan Hutchinson would make the biggest difference, but an upgrade on the boundary might be even more pressing -- especially with several depth options departing in free agency.
Elsewhere, a long-term replacement (and immediate depth) for Taylor Decker would be a good-process decision.
Green Bay Packers
Urgent needs: Defensive tackle, cornerback
Worth considering: Offensive tackle, linebacker
In my first mock draft of the season, the Packers landed an edge rusher, their top need at the time. It's safe to say that's no longer the case, but they won't have a 2026 first-round pick at their disposal, either.
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Like Detroit, corner remains a significant need, and Quay Walker's looming free agency complicates things over the middle of the field. Green Bay also ranks 21st in defensive success rate against the run, pointing toward improvements in the spine of the defense. Moreover, offensive line depth makes sense for a team so determined to run the ball when it matters most.
Chicago Bears
Urgent needs: Offensive tackle, defensive tackle, safety
Worth considering: Running back, guard, edge rusher
The Bears are putting Williams in a position to succeed, but this roster has enough holes to give the young quarterbacks excuses to burn. Offensive tackle remains an issue. D'Andre Swift and Ben Johnson are still a questionable marriage, despite this season's success, and Chicago should be considered a contender for Jeremiyah Love's services.
The Bears' run defense is mediocre, its pass rush is thin, and both of its starting safeties are pending free agents. With Johnson and Williams in the fold, Chicago is on the upswing. Ensuring the defense can hold up its end of the bargain will be paramount this offseason.
Minnesota Vikings
Urgent needs: Cornerback, safety
Worth considering: Defensive tackle, running back, tight end
Minnesota's success hinges on McCarthy. The rest of the roster is among the best in the league. The high-value positions on this roster are stacked with stars, from Justin Jefferson to Christian Darrisaw, Jonathan Greenard to Andrew Van Ginkel. Still, replenishing a secondary that stands to improve in man-to-man coverage is a priority, and veteran safety Harrison Smith won't be around forever.
Adding youth and athleticism behind Jordan Mason and T.J. Hockenson could be a play in the middle of the draft, too. This roster lacks glaring holes, but as Week 8's edition of Thursday Night Football showed, things can fall apart quickly. High-profile investments on defense would further weaponize defensive coordinator Brian Flores' aggressiveness.
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