Draft Grades (NFC North)

Chicago Bears- Chicago addressed a pressing need at safety in drafting Daniel Manning with their second round pick. They also picked Miami safety and special teams stud Devin Hester with another second round pick. They added some solid defensive prospects in Dusty Dvoracek, defensive tackle from Oklahoma, Jamar Williams, outside linebacker out of Arizona State, and defensive end Mark Anderson from Alabama. The Bears didn't upgrade their offense at all, though, so I'll give them a decent grade, but not exceptional. Grade- B-

Detroit Lions- A pretty solid all-around draft by Detroit. They addressed their needs, on the lines, drafting Florida State defensive tackle Ernie Sims in the first round. They picked up a late guard and tackle from USC and Texas, the two national championship teams. Detroit added some depth at safety, picking Daniel Bullocks from Nebraska in the second round. They also added Wisconsin (and Colorado) tailback Brian Calhoun. Grade- B

Green Bay Packers- Green Bay didn't have the average seven picks. No, they about doubled that with twelve selections. While they had two questionable picks in the opening couple rounds, overall, they had a quality draft. After trading Javon Walker to Denver, Green Bay drafted the rising Western Michigan receiver Greg Jennings. The Pack loved the Big Ten linebackers, taking Ohio State OLB A.J. Hawk and Iowa ILB Abdul Hodge. They also drafted a couple of do-everything receivers in TCU's Cory Rodgers and Boston College's Will Blackmon. Texas A&M's defensive tackle Johnny Jolly was selected by the Pack in the 6th round. Grade- B+

Minnesota Vikings- Like the Pack, the Vikes added a Big Ten linebacker, Iowa's OLB Chad Greenway. They helped their secondary with drafting Texas cornerback Cedric Griffin in the second round. Alabama State quarterback Tavaris Jackson was drafted late in the second round and watch out for this guy. He might be a project at the next level, but he's further along than Vince Young, who was taken at #3. With their last pick, Minnesota took Georgia safety Greg Blue. Grade- B+