NFC North Post-Draft

Chicago: The Bears had a limited number of picks due to obtaining QB Jay Cutler and DE Gaines Adams via trades last year. Unfortunately, Adams passed away from a health defect. While it is sad, the cold truth about the NFL is that things keep moving and it leaves Chicago with a big hole on the D-Line. The few picks they had were used wisely. DB Major Wright is a big hitter who will learn from newly re-acquired Chris Harris. DE Corey Wootten slid because of a knee injury but he was considered a possible first rounder at one time. They also picked QB Dan LeFevour who has all of the physical tools to be a starting QB in the NFL but he faces a huge learning curve since he played in an unconventional college offense.
Fantasy Implications... None on offense. Perhaps a rookie breaks out and makes the Bears defense more attractive.
NFL Implications... A lot will hinge on new offensive coordinator Mike Martz who engineered one of the most powerful offenses in league history with the St. Louis Rams. Can he bring the best out of Jay Cutler?

Detroit: Don't look now but the Lions are rounding into a talented team. They took DT Ndamukong Suh with their first round pick. Suh is widely considered the "can't miss" prospect of this draft. Also, if you watch any Lions game this season, you will hear an announcer tell you Suh's name translates to "House of Spears". (Not Britney I hope). In Rd 2 they selected RB Jahvid Best who may have been the top RB if not for a serious concussion. The Lions have a huge opening at RB so Best could come in and start immediately. Detroit also made some solid picks on CB Amari Spievey and DE Willie Young who will both have a chance to contribute. One pick that could look awesome in a couple years was OT Jason Fox out of Miami. Fox had a serious knee injury but was one of the top tackles in college. If he can ever come back healthy, then Detroit stole a possible franchise left tackle.
Fantasy Implications... RB Jahvid Best will be money in leagues that reward distance scoring.
NFL Implications... Detroit is building a nice foundation. The defense is still too weak in the back seven but this is not a team to be taken lightly anymore. And they may be the team that pro gamblers pick every week vs. the spread.

Green Bay: Not a flashy draft but OT Bryan Bulaga will fit right into the blue collar town. DL Mike Neal is considered a reach but he is a good fit for the Packers defense. DB Morgan Burnett was always around the ball in college and will have a good chance to start. Basically this is a draft where there will likely be few superstars but many contributors... which may be all they need to make it to the next level.
Fantasy... Upgrades at OL bode well for QB Aaron Rodgers who might just be the #3 QB in FF.
NFL... The Pack were extremely close last season but lost a shootout to Arizona in the playoffs. They addressed their biggest needs. Time will tell if they addressed them with the right people.

Minnesota: Let's face it... this team isn't going anywhere without Brett Favre so they had better hope he stays unretired. Many are surprised more by who the Vikes DIDN'T pick rather than who they did. If QB Jimmy Clausen ends up making a splash in the NFL, then that will be a non-pick that Vikings fans will curse for years. Minnesota instead took CB Chris Cook who certainly filled a need... but this was a deep draft for CB's. He will have more pressure on him than most 2nd round picks. Toby Gerhart was drafted to backup Adrian Peterson at RB. Gerhart was a Heisman Finalist in 2009. DE Everson Griffen fell in the draft for some unknown reason. Was he just overrated or did they get a steal?
Fantasy... Gerhart is worth a late round pick as a handcuff to Peterson owners.
NFL... As I said earlier, everything hinges on Brett Favre's return. He's the difference between them making the playoffs or them watching at home.

Overall: Tough call due to the uncertainty about Favre. I think Green Bay did a better job of upgrading in the offseason. Maybe Aaron Rodgers will finally get a chance to beat his former "mentor". The Packers could be a sneaky good pick for the Super Bowl. Chicago made the biggest changes and also the highest profile player in DE Julius Peppers. The Bears have a chance to surprise everyone if the offense gels under Martz. And Detroit is no longer a pushover. Once again we can call the NFC North the Black & Blue division without it just being a callback to the 1970's.

NFL Draft Happenings

NFC West:

This division is one of the weakest in the league. Each team had a solid draft and it really helped the West's Q Factor.

San Francisco is considered the favorite to win the division. They really beefed up their offensive line with the first two picks. Anthony Davis has character concerns but he could absolutely become a dominating right tackle. Mike Iupati will also be a starter from day one at right guard. Taylor Mays and Navorro Bowman are potential starters on defense. Anthony Dixon might be able to wrestle the #2 RB job from Glen Coffee. That's a haul of 4 potential starters which is a good draft.
Fantasy Implications... Frank Gore is now a definite Top 5 pick.
NFL Implications... If they get production at QB, the 49ers look like a playoff team.

Arizona has been on top in the West recently but they took some major loss when Kurt Warner retired. Then they traded WR Anquan Boldin and lost LB Karlos Dansby in free agency. The Cardinals stole DT Dan Williams at #26 and he should be a force. LB Daryl Washington has potential to start. Potential seems to be a key word for this draft. WR Andre Roberts MIGHT be a good slot receiver, DE O'Brien Schofield MIGHT end up being one of the top pass rushers from this class IF he recovers from injury and QB John Skelton MIGHT be a future starter if he can get some development and make the huge jump in competition.
Fantasy Implications... WR Steve Breaston will see increased looks as the new #2 WR
NFL Implications... They have big questions at QB and LT. They will drop back this year.

Seattle has been snakebit recently with injuries. Now they have the hot college coach coming in to try to turn things around... something which hasn't worked too well for other teams in the past few years. I have my doubts about Pete Carroll in the NFL but he certainly had a nice draft. Russell Okung fills a huge need at LT and he could have been a Top 2 pick overall and no one would have blinked. Then they get a guy who was considered one of the best DB's available in Earl Thomas. I could see Golden Tate becoming a starter at WR. DB Walter Thurmond and TE Anthony McCoy could also be key contributors. But that's not all! Seattle also added a lot of talent at RB by trading for both Lorenzen White and Leon Washington. Suddenly Seattle looks like a contender in the division again. If they get solid QB play.
Fantasy... TE John Carlson could be a Top 10 TE in Pete Carroll's scheme
NFL... Seahawks may be a year away but they appear to be on the rise.

St. Louis has been horrendous the past couple of years but they should at least be fun to watch. Some think QB Sam Bradford is a can't miss prospect. We shall see. The Rams were smart to get him some extra protection in OT Roger Saffold. The Rams need help pretty much everywhere but RB and that is why they drafted a lot of variety. They still do not have a #1 WR despite the drafting of Mardy Gilyard. And their defense still needs a lot of work. Unfortunately it looks like the Rams may have a Top 10 pick again next season even though they had a solid draft.
Fantasy... Sam Bradford becomes a viable fantasy option but probably only in keeper leagues.
NFL... Probably spending another year in the NFC West cellar.

Overall, each of these teams have big questions at QB. I pick the 49ers to win the division but I don't see any wild cards coming out of the West.