NFC North: Best Players by Position

For the last three seasons, the NFC North has been one of the most lopsided divisions in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers have won the division the last three years convincingly, with no real threat from elsewhere. 

However, with all the offseason trades and draft selections of the past few months, there is reason to believe that cthat ould change.

In this article, we look at the best player by position in the NFC North. We’ll give an indication as to what to expect from each team in 2022 and what players will make or break the seasons for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers.

Offence

Quarterback – Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention – Kirk Cousins)

Let’s start with an easy one. The back-to-back MVP is a first-ballot hall of famer and considered one of the most talented quarterbacks of all time.

Whilst there are questions regarding Rodgers’ post-season success, and whether he can keep up his consistency without first-team All-Pro Davante Adams next season, the future Hall of Fame QB will continue to play a huge role in Green Bay ability to making the playoffs once again.

Wide Receiver 1 – Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

(Honourable Mention – Amon-Ra St. Brown)

An absolute sensation since his rookie season, Jefferson could be argued to already be a top 10 receiver. He ranked third and second in 2020 and 2021 retrospectively in receiving touchdowns. And in 2022, Jefferson will look to improve even further with new head coach Kevin O’Connell, who was integral to the Stafford/Kupp QB/WR relationship that earned him a Super Bowl 56 ring.

The Vikings’ decision to trade Stefon Diggs to the Bills and draft Jefferson was a masterstroke and it is only reasonable to expect Jefferson to be better in 2022.

Wide Receiver 2 – Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings

(Honourable Mention – Allen Lazard)

Another consistently good Vikings receiver. Thielen has recorded his 2nd consecutive 10-touchdown season in 2022 and has been a consistent receiver for the Vikings despite his injury concerns. His run-blocking ability has also allowed the running game to be one of the best in the NFL when healthy. Not bad for an undrafted free agent. 

Running Back 1 – Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

(Honourable Mention – David Montgomery)

Rounding out the stacked Viking’s offensive skill positions, Cook has been a menace for defensive interior lines for the last 4 seasons, with him being consistently in the argument for the best running back in the NFL. Cook has 35 touchdowns in 3 years with a pro-bowl nod in those 3 years.

He is one of the rare exceptions that show that it can be worth paying a running back serious money in a salary cap league.

Running Back 2 – Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention – AJ Dillon)

A seriously underrated player, Jones has been a key player for Green Bay’s three consecutive 13-win seasons, only missing 4 games through injury in that span whilst also being one of the most elusive running backs in the league.

And with a poor wide receiving core in 2022, Aaron Rodgers will be heavily relying on Jones to replicate his recent receiving success, including racking up 120 yards receiving in that infamous 2022 playoff game against the 49ers. 

Tight End – TJ Hockenson, Detroit Lions

(Honourable Mention – Robert Tonyan)

The current leading receiver for the Lions, Hockenson has had a stellar start to his NFL career, accumulating 1600 yards and 12 TDs in only his 3rd season. His run-blocking ability has also been integral to the Lions’ running game.

With the Lions acquiring more wide receivers via free agency and the draft and with the expectation that the Lions will select a QB in the 2023 NFL Draft, expect Hockenson’s stocks to only rise further.

Left Tackle – David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention – Penei Sewell)

The best left tackle when healthy, Baktarhi earnt a  91.8 rating from PFF before suffering an ACL tear on New Year’s Day 2021. It is this exact injury which you could also measure his influence on the Packers’ offensive line, with Rodgers being sacked 10 times in Green Bay’s last two playoff games.

If Green Bay want to win a Super Bowl before Rodgers retires, Bakhtiari will be essential to helping them get there. 

Left Guard – Jon Runyan Jr., Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention: Ezra Cleveland)

Runyan broke out in 2021, only costing 2 sacks the whole season, despite it being only his second NFL season. He is also the only guard in the NFL to have played over 900 snaps and not had a single penalty against either. Expect Runyan to be another consistent offensive lineman for Green Bay for the next 3 seasons at the very least. 

Right Guard – Elgton Jenkins, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention: Halapoulivaati Vaitai)

Whilst Jenkins’s primary position is at Right-Tackle, it is a testament to his positional-playing abilities that he is listed here. Jenkins is one of, if not the, most versatile offensive linemen in the NFL. He’s appeared in all five OL positions for the Packers since drafted in 2020.

During all this, he has only allowed three sacks in three years. Jenkins is a one-of-a-kind player but has only one year left on his contract with the Packers. If he can manage to stay healthy, expect a pay raise after this season. 

Right Tackle – Brian O’Neill, Minnesota Vikings

(Honourable Mention: Larry Borom)

The lone star on a weak offensive line for the Vikings. O’Neill earned a solid 77 rating from PFF last season, including allowing only four sacks in the last 3 seasons. The 26 year-old signed an extension this offseason for the Vikings, so expect new head coach Kevin O’Connell to lean heavily on the offensive line to get the Vikings’ going in 2022.

Center – Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions

(Honourable Mention: Garrett Bradbury)

Despite Detroit’s lack of regular season success in the 21st century, one of the silver linings for the team is the consistency of the team’s offensive line. In particular, Ragnow’s leadership and athletism have led to the lions having a top 10 offensive line every season he has appeared for the Lions. Ragnow recently signed a new extension with the Lions to make him the highest-paid center in the league, 

Defence

Defensive Tackle 1 – Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention: Harrison Phillips)

One of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL, Clark has been the definition of consistency for the Packers since entering the league in 2016. He ranks sixth in QB pressures since 2018 whilst also being Green Bay’s best run-stopper.

His lack of injuries and consistent performances has led Clark to be paid as one of the best defensive tackles and earned 2 pro bowl appearances in the last 3 years.

Defensive Tackle 2 – Dalvin Tomlinson, Minnesota Vikings

(Honourable Mention: Eddie Goldman)

Tomlinson has had an up-and-down career, from being one of the best rookies in his class in 2017 to failing to land a solid starting role for the Giants before being released. However, he has appeared to find his feet in Minnesota.

His effectiveness against the run is uncontested against most nose-tackles and still has one of the best pass-rush win rates for a defensive tackle when he rushes the quarterback. There will be eyes on him to be more consistent next season.

EDGE 1, Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears

(Honourable Mention – Danielle Hunter)

Quinn was a monster in 2021. 18 sacks, 163 tackles and a bonus of four forced fumbles. He was consistently Chicago’s brightest star on defence in a torrid 2021 season. Their other edge rusher, superstar Khalil Mack, suffered through injuries.

Danielle Hunter may have been more consistent than Quinn over the years, but the 2021 sack leading runner up gets the nod after proving his dominance last year. 

EDGE 2, Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention – Za’Darius Smith)

A player who optimises the ‘don’t judge a book’ metaphor. Many people questioned Gary when he was drafted by the Packers in 2019. This was primarily because of injury concerns and what impact he would make on the defence.

However, Gary has answered his questions and then some. He has gone from a 59.4 rating in 2019 to an 89.3 rating in 2022, with 10 sacks and the 4th most QB pressures in 2021. Whilst Gary still has a little more to show, it’s a credit to his super-high upside potential that we are expecting a little more. Expect a big season from Gary in September.

Linebacker 1 – De’Vondre Campbell, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention – Anthony Barr)

A player that came from absolutely nowhere in 2021, Campbell shocked the NFL with his leadership and tackle-making abilities in 2021. He recorded 111 solo tackles in 2021, with a bonus of two sacks and two interceptions. 

This is a position which Green Bay has consistently got wrong in the last few seasons. With Campbell now signing a four-year extension this offseason, and the team drafting Quay Walker 22nd overall this year, expect linebacker to be one of the shining positions for the Packers in 2022 

Linebacker 2 – Roquan Smith, Chicago Bears

(Honourable Mention – Krys Barnes)

One of Chicago’s best players since he was drafted in 2018. It’s a huge credit to Smith for being the Bears’ dominant player on defense with other established names such as Khalil Mack and Akeem Hicks on the team in recent times. However, with both those players gone, expect new system to rely on Smith to be opposing QB’s nightmare.

Cornerback 1 – Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention – Cameron Dazler)

Alexander has proven to be one of the top corners since drafted in 2018. Whilst his stats such as interceptions are not as noteworthy as other players such as Jalen Ramsey, his coverage skills are unmatched and his record against top-end wide receivers is really impressive.

Alexander missed the majority of the Packers season in 2021 due to a shoulder injury but will be expected to play a key role in Green Bay’s brutal schedule against opponents such as Tom Brady and Josh Allen.

Cornerback 2 – Patrick Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

(Honourable Mention – Rasul Douglas)

A consistently great corner, Peterson has demonstrated his skills in not just coverage, but also in punt returns when he was with Arizona between 2011 and 2020. Whilst Peterson is in the twilight of his career with the Vikings, his career has been commendable and is still a reliable starter for the Vikings due to his athletism and leadership abilities.

Cornerback 3 – Eric Stokes, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention – Jaylon Johnson)

It speaks level to the Packers’ secondary that they can have Stokes as their CB3, but their secondary is that good. Stokes had an outstanding rookie season for the Packers with Jaire Alexander’s injury forcing him to be CB1 in the defence despite his lack of NFL experience. While Stokes only had 1 interception in 2022, he only allowed 78.4 passer-rating, 2nd best among rookies whilst also rivalling well-established cornerbacks in 2022. With Alexander and Douglas both signing long-term deals this offseason, Stokes should go another level due to being less relied upon next season. 

Strong Safety – Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

(Honourable Mention – Darnell Savage)

By all accounts, Smith is Minnesota’s best player. He has a rating of over 75 PFF rating in his past 5 seasons, including a 98 PFF rating in 2017. A do-it-all threat and potential Hall of Famer, whilst it appears that Smith is in the back-end of his career.

Free Safety – Adrian Amos, Green Bay Packers

(Honourable Mention – Eddie Jackson)

The most underrated safety in the league. Amos goes under the radar due to the rest of the Packers’ secondary standing out. Yet, he may be the most integral part of the team’s defensive backs unit.

His pivotal interceptions in key games, notably last year’s playoff game against the 49ers demonstrates his clutch ability. All of this for a four-year, $34 million player is a bargain for a top-end safety.