Having written about the Packers and Lions already, I have come to the conclusion that the NFC North might by the "best" division in the league. Clearly I don't need to extol the virtues of Green Bay and Detroit. Both teams, barring injuries, should be good this year. Probably playoff caliber.
The Bears are another team that I think has playoff potential. I thought so last year, too, and I might have been right if it weren't for some absolutely devastating injuries. The Bears were hit hard. Well this year, the team is looking healthier and, with some serious talent added in both in Free Agency and the Draft, I'm seriously wondering if we might not see three playoff teams come from the same division again.[1]
Before examining the draft picks of the Bears, I've got to say that I'm a bit perplexed the Bears didn't do much to upgrade the o-line, which was a huge, huge weakness last year. So perplexed, in fact, that I am worried I missed some major signing or something. If so, could somebody point this out in the comments? /paranoia.
On the other side of the line, though, the Bears decided to make a big move. By drafting DE Shea McClellin from Boise State, the Bears potentially added some speedy pass rush. The major knock on this guy is his small size, though this may lead to better versatility.
The Bears also attempted to fix some holes in the secondary with a few picks: third rounder FS Brandon Hardin from Oregon State, CB Isaiah Frey,[2] the sixth round pick from Nevada, and seventh round pick CB Greg McCoy from TCU.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Bears picked up FB Evan Rodriguez from Temple in the fourth round. They also picked up one of the more intriguing players in this draft (or so I think) in WR Alshon Jeffery from South Carolina. A great pick as the Bears lacked a certain degree of firepower last season.
[1] This most notably occurred in the 2008 playoffs, in which both the NFC East and the AFC South sent three teams to the playoffs.
[2] Not the Freys! Red Wedding... /sob