NFC North Notes: Bears, Vikings, Lions
Earlier this afternoon, we took a look at a possible extension between Mike McCarthy and the Packers. Now, let’s move on to some more notes from the rest of the NFC North:
- The Bears’ cornerback positions are filled for now, believes John Mullin of CSNChicago.com, and he grades corner as only a “medium” priority for the team heading into Thursday’s draft. Due to the age of Chicago’s top pass defenders, however, I wouldn’t at all be surprised if the Bears used the fourteenth overall pick on a cornerback, especially if defensive tackle Aaron Donald has already been selected.
- Jordan Palmer looks to be the early favorite for the Bears’ backup quarterback job behind starter Jay Cutler, although the team could look to pick a developmental QB later in the draft, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
- The Vikings have never been great at manipulating the compensatory pick system, according to Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, who also looks at the success of Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, who is considered by many to be a master of the compensatory machine.
- Blake Bortles, C.J. Mosley, and Donald are among a list of ten players who could be available and intriguing to the Vikings at pick No. 8, per the Minneapolis Star Tribune staff.
- We noted more than a month ago that the Lions were looking for a backup quarterback after losing Shaun Hill to the Rams, and now Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports that the team will likely look to the draft to fill the position. Within the article, ESPN’s Jon Gruden mentioned David Fales and Tajh Boyd as late-round options for Detroit.
- Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com lists his top five need areas for the Lions, and among them are defensive end, linebacker, and receiver.
Bears Re-Sign Nate Collins, Jordan Palmer
The Bears will bring back defensive tackle Nate Collins and quarterback Jordan Palmer, according to the team’s Twitter account. Both players will be returning on one-year deals.
Collins signed a one-year deal last offseason, returning to Chicago after playing with the team in 2012. He played well through his first five games, compiling 14 total tackles. The 26-year-old suffered an ACL tear in week 5, ending his season.
Palmer, brother of Cardinals’ quarterback Carson Palmer, was brought in midway through last season to serve as the backup quarterback to fill-in Josh McCown. Palmer has completed ten passes in his career for 59 yards. He’s also tossed two picks in his four games between 2008 and 2010. With Jay Cutler returning from injury and McCown currently unsigned, keeping Palmer could be interpreted as insurance. As Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times points out, head coach Marc Trestman has said he likes keeping three quarterbacks on the roster (via Twitter).