National Football League

NFC North draft capsules

Published Apr. 23, 2015 8:21 p.m. ET

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7. CHICAGO BEARS (5-11)

LAST SEASON: Bears thought they had enough to contend for playoff spot. Instead, they imploded. Chicago fired GM Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman, replaced them with Ryan Pace and John Fox, seeking spark after missing playoffs for seventh time in eight years. They also have new coordinators in Adam Gase (offense) and Vic Fangio (defense) and are switching from 4-3 to 3-4 defensive front.

THEY NEED: DT, DE, LB, CB, S, WR, QB, RB.

THEY DON'T NEED: TE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: West Virginia WR Kevin White, Alabama WR Amari Cooper, Oregon QB Marcus Mariota, Clemson OLB Vic Beasley.

OUTLOOK: Bears need help in all areas on defense after ranking among worst in franchise history past two years. No shortage of issues to address on offense, either. Could use front-line WR to go with Alshon Jeffery after trading outspoken Brandon Marshall to Jets. Also need to groom replacements for QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte.

11. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9)

LAST SEASON: Growing pains were evident in first season for coach Mike Zimmer and QB Teddy Bridgewater, starting 2-5. But last five losses came by total of 16 points. Bridgewater's 64.4 completion percentage was third best by a rookie in NFL history despite leaky offensive line and absence of RB Adrian Peterson. Pass defense made significant strides in Zimmer's scheme.

THEY NEED: S, OG, WR, CB, MLB, DE.

THEY DON'T NEED: QB, C, DT, TE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Louisville WR DeVante Parker, Iowa OL Brandon Scherff, Michigan State CB Trae Waynes.

OUTLOOK: By trading for WR Mike Wallace and signing CB Terence Newman among handful of other veterans during low-profile drive through free agency, GM Rick Spielman added enough depth to put Vikings in spot to take best player regardless of position with 11th pick. Scherff played tackle at Iowa, has body for conversion to guard, should he be available. Starting LG spot is open and incumbent tackles come off substandard seasons. Parker's past experience with Bridgewater at Louisville would be a plus. But with acquisition of Wallace; potential of Cordarrelle Patterson despite down year; emergence of Charles Johnson; and steadiness of Jarius Wright, Vikings ought to be OK at WR. Peterson's age and disinterest in staying with team will probably prompt strong consideration of middle-round pick of RB, one of deepest positions in this draft. Secondary again important to supplement, despite improvement by CB Xavier Rhodes; need quality starter at SS next to Harrison Smith and more capable cover men in nickel and dime packages.

No. 23 DETROIT LIONS (10-6)

LAST SEASON: Lions reached playoffs behind one of league's top defenses, but loss at Dallas in their postseason opener still stings.

THEY NEED: DT, OL, RB.

THEY DON'T NEED: S, TE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Texas DT Malcom Brown.

OUTLOOK: After losing DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley via free agency, Lions traded for Haloti Ngata to help stabilize middle of defensive line. They can still use more help there, though, and offensive line also undergoing overhaul after team parted ways with C Dominic Raiola. Lions also could use another difference maker in offensive backfield after cutting RB Reggie Bush.

30. GREEN BAY PACKERS (12-4)

LAST SEASON: Won fourth straight NFC North title and advanced to conference championship game despite calf injury for Aaron Rodgers that left MVP quarterback hobbled down stretch. Run defense tightened after giving OLB Clay Matthews more time inside and phasing in Sam Barrington at ILB. Rookie Ha Ha Clinton-Dix helped solidify safety. OL played well, while RB Eddie Lacy and WRs Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb gave Rodgers three dangerous options.

THEY NEED: CB (lost Tramon Williams and Davon House in free agency), ILB.

THEY DON'T NEED: Starting QB, though Packers may look into developmental candidate later in draft.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Washington CB Marcus Peters, LSU CB Jalen Collins, Connecticut CB Byron Jones, UCLA LB Eric Kendricks, Mississippi State LB Benardrick McKinney.

OUTLOOK: Defense, again, will likely be focus at outset. GM Ted Thompson hit it big with Clinton-Dix in first round; now he needs to restock CB and continue revamp at LB. Re-signing DLs B.J. Raji and Letroy Guion to one-year deals addressed another concern up front. Packers might want to add edge rusher with Julius Peppers nearing end of impressive career. Building depth on OL might be Day 2 or 3 focus.

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