Where Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings & Chicago Bears stand following 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is complete, and teams are now looking to get their draft picks, undrafted players and tryout players on the field for rookie minicamps across the league before they join the veterans for OTAs. The four teams in the NFC North certainly believe they are better today than they were early last week thanks to the new infusion of young talent via this year’s draft.

Now that the dust has settled on the draft, let’s take a look at who Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota and Chicago added to their roster and how it might impact the division moving forward:

Draft picks: Rd 1 – CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama), Rd 2 – CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri), Rd 4 – OL Giovanni Manu (British Columbia), Rd 4 – RB Sione Vaki (Utah), Rd 6 – DL Mekhi Wingo (LSU), Rd 6 – OL Christian Mahogany (Boston College)

Most impactful pick: Lions general manager Brad Holmes was shocked Arnold fell to the mid 20s where he had an opportunity to trade up with Dallas to take him at No. 24. Holmes said Arnold was the No. 1 cornerback on his board and there was a drop between him and the next corner, who coincidentally ended up being Detroit’s second-round pick, Rakestraw.

There’s going to be a ton of competition at the cornerback spot in Detroit, and Arnold has a shot to earn the No. 2 spot on the outside opposite veteran Carlton Davis, who the Lions traded for this offseason.

Sleeper pick: Vaki was brought in as a running back even though he played safety at Utah as well. Holmes said he was really impressed by the way Vaki ran and caught the football despite the limited reps there. Where I think he could have an immediate impact is on special teams. He could be a core special teamer right away and in the competition to return kicks Day 1.

Twentyman: Holmes was aggressive moving up in this draft to get players who were at the top of his board, starting with Arnold and Rakestraw. On Day 3 he addressed depth needs along both lines, which was important.

Overall, it’s a draft class with a lot of versatility and position flexibility, which is going to benefit a lot of these players and allow them to get on the field early.