Nearly two weeks into the new league year, most of the top free agents are already off the market. As teams start turning their attention to the draft, we can take a step back and check in on how each squad stacks up following the initial wave of free agency.
In the fourth part of an eight-series article, we check in on one of the most competitive divisions in football. Two teams—the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions—earned playoff spots a season ago. In addition to this, the Minnesota Vikings appear to be on the upswing. Let’s see on where this division stands after free agency.
1. Green Bay Packers
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: A.J. Hawk (LB), Brad Jones (LB), Tramon Williams (CB), Davon House (CB)
Green Bay never really hits the free agent market, and it has worked for the team in the past. Outside of retaining key players such as wide receiver Randall Cobb and right tackle Bryan Bulaga, that remained true this month. Though, it’s going to be interesting to see how the Packers respond to losing two valuable cornerbacks in Tramon Williams and Davon House.
As of right now, the team would throw out Casey Hayward and Sam Shields as its top two corners with Micah Hyde in a nickel role. While not the worst trio in the world, Ted Thompson and company will be looking to upgrade there in the draft.
With all that said, let’s make no mistake about it: Green Bay’s success will rely a great deal on how its offense performs under Aaron Rodgers. By retaining Cobb, there’s no reason to believe the Packers offense won’t be among the best in the NFL this season. That’s only magnified by the likely emergence of Davante Adams as the team’s No. 3 receiver.
2. Detroit Lions
Key Additions: Tyrunn Walker (DT), Haloti Ngata (DT)
Key Losses: Ndamukong Suh (DT), Reggie Bush (RB), Nick Fairley (DT) and Jed Collins (FB)
Losing both Suh and Fairley hurts big time. Detroit’s defense relied a great deal on the presence of these two difference-makers along the interior of its defensive line. Without them, the likes of the newly acquired Tyrunn Walker and Haloti Ngata will have to step up.
More than that, Detroit must generate a pass rush from the edge positions. That means Ziggy Ansah and Kyle Van Noy will have to pick up their games considerably.
One major thing that might keep Detroit from contending with Green Bay this year is the lack of a true No. 2 corner opposite Darius Slay. Expect the team to address this need in the draft.
Offensively, the Lions are going to be just fine. Losing Bush isn’t necessarily a big deal, but it does create somewhat of a hole in the backfield. Expect Theo Riddick to play Bush’s role in 2015. However, the Lions are in desperate need of finding a true three-down running back. As of right now, they just don’t have that.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Key Additions: Mike Wallace (WR), Shaun Hill (QB)
Key Losses: Greg Jennings (WR), Jasper Brinkley (LB), Jerome Felton (FB)
Based on the young talent Minnesota possesses and the likely progression of Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback, this team is much closer to the Lions than the Chicago Bears right now. Swapping receiver Mike Wallace in for Greg Jennings is going to be big. Teddy’s deep-ball ability should help Wallace relive his Pittsburgh Steelers days.
However, the biggest cog in Minnesota’s offense is Adrian Peterson. If he somehow returns to the team in 2015, the Vikings offense may be a surprise juggernaut.
Defensively, the Vikings have a solid core to build around.
4. Chicago Bears
Key Additions: Pernell McPhee (LB), Eddie Royal (WR), Antrel Rolle (S)
Key Losses: Brandon Marshall (WR), Stephen Paea (DT)
Chicago’s new regime made a bold first decision to trade Marshall, the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. Following that move, it became apparent what head coach John Fox and company were planning on doing—create their own mark on the franchise.
And despite a couple good signings, this team is still light-years away from contending with Green Bay and Detroit in the division. Switching to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will be problematic unless Chicago acquires the personnel to play said scheme. That means going defense-heavy in the upcoming draft.
Even if the Bears defense is able to improve by leaps and bounds, the team still has Jay Cutler under center with an aging Matt Forte at running back. Now take into account the loss of Marshall, and it’s easy to draw the conclusion that Chicago will finish in last once again in 2015.
Photo: USA Today