2009 NFL Draft Report Card-NFC North

Chicago Bears

Round 3 #68 DE Jason Gilbert, San Jose State
Round 3 #99 WR Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
Round 4 #105 DE Henry Melton, Texas
Round 4 #119  CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
Round 5 #140 WR Johnny Knox, Albilene Christian
Round 6 #190 S Al Afalava, Oregon State
Round 7 #246 G Lance Louis, San Diego State
Round 7 #251 WR Derek Kinder, Pittsburgh

Overall Grade: B-

Fantasy Outlook: Similar to the Dallas Cowboys, the Bears traded out of day one.  When they were finally able to draft, Chicago devoted three out of their first four picks to the defensive side of the ball.  Jason Gilbert and Henry Melton should give them the pass rush they have been lacking in recent years.   D.J. Moore will also have the opportunity to compete for a starting  job on a already serviceable fantasy defense.  The Bears may have found a couple valuable gems at wideouts.  Juaquin Iglesias and Johnny Knox have a real shot of finding playing time.  In fact, Iglesias could warrant some late round fantasy consideration in deep leagues. 

Detroit Lions

Round 1 #1 QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia
Round 1 #20 TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
Round 2 #33 S Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
Round 3 #76 LB DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
Round 3 #82 WR Derrick Williams, Penn State
Round 4 #115 DL Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman
Round 6 #192 RB Aaron Brown, TCU
Round 7 #228 OL Lydon Murtha, Nebraska
Round 7 #235 LB Zack Follett, California
Round 7 #255 TE Dan Gronkowski, Maryland 

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: This draft for the Lions will forever be judged be how good of a pro Matthew Stafford becomes.  If he struggles, it could set the Lions back five years, or he could become the first real franchise quarterback the Lions have had since they stopped wearing leather helmets.  Stafford will likely begin the year as Daunte Culpepper’s backup, but he should be the starter by the end of the season.  Consequently, he warrants some fantasy consideration in keeper leagues.   Detroit likely found two other major impact players in Louis Delmas and Derrick Williams.   Delmas has a real chance to develop into a star at safety, and Derrick can eventually replace the other Williams that left town (Roy).  Zack Follett was a nice steal towards the end of their draft.  He will likely begin his career primarily on special teams, but after he gets coached up, he has a legitimate chance to become a starter on a perennial underwhelming fantasy defense. 

Green Bay Packers

Round 1 #9 DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
Round 1 #26 DE Clay Mathews, USC
Round 4 #109 OL T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan
Round 5 #145 FB Quinn Johnson, LSU
Round 5 #162 OT Jamon Meredith, South Carolina
Round 6 #182 DE Jarious Wynn, Georgia
Round 6 #187 DB Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati
Round 7 #218 LB Brad Jones, Colorado

Overall Grade: A-

Fantasy Outlook: Any time you can start your draft with two future pro bowlers, you are doing something right. The Packers may have done exactly that by selecting B.J. Raji and Clay Mathews.  Green Bay also ended their draft taking three more defensive players.   The Packers’ fantasy defense should be considered a sleeper and a very viable option this upcoming season.  Besides their obvious focus on getting better on defense, Green Bay also selected picks that should improve their running game.  The fullback and offensive line help they acquired in the draft should improve the fantasy value of Ryan Grant. 

Minnesota Vikings

Round 1 #22 WR Percy Harvin, Florida
Round 2 #54 OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
Round 3 #86 CB Asher Allen, Georgia
Round 5 #150 LB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
Round 7 #231 S Jamarca Sanford, Mississippi

Overall Grade: B+

Fantasy Outlook: The Vikings took Percy Harvin with their first pick.  Harvin has some off-the-field issues, but when he is on the field, he is an athletic playmaker. Harvin should spread out opposing defenses by being able to lineup all over the field, which should open up the holes in the running game for Adrian Peterson.  Naturally, Peterson is already a No.1 fantasy running back, but now he has the chance to be even more productive.  Phil Loadholt will also part the red seas for Peterson as he is an outstanding run blocker.  Minnesota devoted the rest of the draft to defense, primarily in their secondary.  The Vikings remain a solid fantasy defense.