NFC North Notes: Vikings, Lions, Watkins, Barr

Whatever Vikings GM Rick Spielman‘s plan is, he has a lot of options heading into this weekend, writes Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Through draft-day trades, the Vikings have managed to make 29 selections across the last three seasons. Tomasson looks at some of the Vikings needs this time around, including quarterback and linebacker. More from the NFC North..

  • While there’s talk that the Lions could trade up for standout wide receiver Sammy Watkins, Jeff Seidel of the Detroit Free Press says Detroit needs to stick to defense. The temptation to pair Watkins with Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate is understandably strong, but Seidel says the Lions should go with a cornerback at No. 10, even though it’s not the best value. He argues, however, that if they can get a starting CB, no one will be concerned five years down the line if he was taken five picks too soon.
  • While the Lions didn’t give UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr any indication of how they’d use him when the two sides met, he told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press it would be “very enticing” to play in the same defense with Ndamukong Suh and Ziggy Ansah. “They’d probably give me a lot of one-on-one matchups,” Barr said. “You got to win those, so I think we would complement one another very well.”
  • The staff at CSNChicago.com looks at offensive tackle Jake Matthews and his potential fit with the Bears. The Bears appear to be set at the O-Line but if Matthews falls to No. 14, he might have to give it some thought.
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