With 2025 rapidly approaching, there is a buzz in the air regarding the forthcoming NFL Draft. For fans of the Vikings, there is a determination to be ahead in understanding how their rivals are shaping up. For that reason, an NFC North mock draft is unveiled every Friday through to the week of the draft, providing keen fans with a lens into each team’s draft strategy, potential selections, and overall draft positioning.
The Bears are clearly the team with the most areas to fortify within the division, while the rest display a stronger semblance of a well-rounded roster. On the other hand, the Lions may need to see to some depth concerns, the Packers could use some tweaks on their defensive side, while the Vikings, with few needs to speak of, may find those to grow post free agency.
In this week’s fourth installment of the NFC North mock drafts, gives us some interesting insights. Bears and Packers have the highest number of draft rounds, which stands at 7 each, while the Vikings have the fewest draft rounds, at 5. All in all, the total number of draft picks expected among all four teams within the NFC North stands at 26.
The Bears in the first round may be eyeing Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. as Offensive Tackle. South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard, an edge player, could be the Bears’ second-round pick, followed by Safety Xavier Watts from Notre Dame. Purdue’s Marcus Mbow, an offensive lineman, might be targeted in the third round, Seth McLaughlin, a center from Ohio State, in the fifth round.
Continuing down the potential Bears draft list, Missouri’s Theo Wease Jr. might be the chosen Wide Receiver in the sixth round. Rounding out their seven rounds, the Bears may look towards Colorado for their second Wide Receiver pick, LaJohntay Wester.
Moving to the Packers, the first-round speculation points to Matthew Golden from Texas as a potential Wide Receiver pick. Cameron Williams from Texas could be chosen as Offensive Tackle in the second round, Andrew Makuba from Texas as Safety for the third round, and Syracuse’s Oronde Gadsden II might be the Tight End choice in the fourth round.
The Packers could look to Georgia’s Smael Mondon Jr. as the potential Linebacker in the fifth round. Aiming for balance, South Carolina’s Tonka Hemingway might be on the Packers’ draft board for Defensive Lineman position in the sixth round. Their final round pick could well be Drew Kendall, a Center from Boston College.
In the Lions’ draft strategy, they could be eyeing Walter Nolen from Ole Miss as Defensive Lineman with their first round pick. Virginia’s Jonas Sanker, a Safety, might be their target in the third round. Marcus Yarns, the Running Back from Delaware, could be spotted in the fifth round.
Further enhancing their defensive line in the fifth round, the Lions might choose Darius Alexander from Toledo. For their final draft selection, they might invest in a Wide Receiver, Ja’Corey Brooks from Louisville might be their choice.
Lastly, the Vikings might start their draft campaign with an Edge player. James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee fits the bill for them in the first round. Next up, Alabama’s Tyler Booker could be their Guard preference in the second round. Then, in the fourth round, Shemar Turner from Texas A&M could be their chosen Defensive Lineman.
The Vikings might pick the Cornerback Fentrell Cypress II from Florida State in the sixth round. Their final pick could be a two-fold affair with the potential selection of Michigan’s Running Back, Donovan Edwards, and Missouri’s Quarterback, Brady Cook.
These are merely indicators and possibilities, based on recent performance and projected need. As always, the final decisions can be taken on the day of the draft itself, considering numerous factors which might not be apparent in the public sphere. Ultimately, the NFL Draft is always a spectacle of suspense, strategy, and subtle maneuvering.
While Vikings fans can soak up this information and start their speculations, it is important to remember that football, like any sport, is unpredictable. Free agency, player injuries, last-minute developments, and even personal player choices can all have significant impacts on the final outcome.
However, with these mock draft suggestions, fans can start envisioning their favourite teams’ future lineup. The anticipation of witnessing each team’s actual moves on draft day is bound to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. The NFL remains an exciting chess game that continues to captivate its global audience.