Lions Insider

There’s some consensus among draft experts regarding the Vikings’ and Bears’ picks at No. 3 and No. 19, but varying opinions for the Lions and Packers at No. 23 and No. 28

The Vikings have the third pick in the draft and the best chance to get a franchise-type player in this year’s draft.

The Lions got their hands on players like receiver Calvin Johnson (No. 2, 2007), quarterback Matthew Stafford (No. 1, 2009), and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (No. 2, 2010) in the top of the draft over the last few years. Those players have now become the foundation for the team’s turnaround.

Here’s a look at how mock drafts from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the National Football Post’s Wes Bunting and NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks have the first round of the NFL Draft shaking out with the four teams in the NFC North.

No. 3 Minnesota Vikings

Kiper’s pick: UCS offensive tackle Matt Kalil

Bunting’s pick: USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil

Brooks’ pick: USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil

Twentyman’s comment: The Vikings made the investment on quarterback Christian Ponder in the first round of last year’s draft and now it’s time to protect that investment with the consensus No. 1 tackle in the draft. All indications are that Kalil has the potential to be an All-Pro at the position.

No. 19 Chicago Bears

Kiper’s pick: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd

Bunting’s pick: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd

Brooks’ pick: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd

Twentyman's comment: There’s no doubt receiver is a position of need for the Bears. They ranked 26th in passing offense this season and running back Matt Forte was the team’s leading receiver. Johnny Knox and Roy Williams had 37 catches this season to lead the receiver corps. That won’t get it done in the NFC North.

No. 23 Detroit Lions

Kiper’s pick: North Carolina linebacker Zack Brown

Bunting’s pick: Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams

Brooks’ pick: Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus

Twentyman’s comment: I like Mike Adams the most out of any of these picks. He’s looked good in Senior Bowl practices and the Lions need to start looking to the future at the position. I think the Lions can get enough production out of Lawrence Jackson and Willie Young at defensive end if they aren’t able to re-sign free agent defensive end Cliff Avril to a long-term deal or decide not to franchise him. Taking a defensive end at No. 23 would have to make him the very best player available on their board.

No. 28 Green Bay Packers

Kiper’s pick: Illinois outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus

Bunting’s pick: West Virginia outside linebacker Bruce Irvin

Brooks’ pick: Clemson defensive end Andre Branch

Twentyman’s comment: A rush linebacker for their 3-4 scheme certainly makes sense here, especially since Erik Walden is a free agent this offseason. The Packers had the league’s worst pass defense and didn’t have anyone reach more than six sacks on the season.

News from around the NFC North:

• Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton told the Vikings Tuesday that the only stadium site with a chance of getting approved in 2012 is the Metrodome site
• Vikings’ mission this week in Mobile: finding ‘talent’
• Packers’ defensive coordinator Dom Capers has spoken to the Raiders about their head-coaching job, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Pete Dougherty says Joe Philbin’s departure could send ripple effects through the Packers’ coaching staff
• Bears Pro-Bowl linebacker defends the use of painkiller Toradol
• Bears GM search down to the Chiefs’ Phil Emery and the Patriots’ Jason Licht, according to the Chicago Sun-Times