NFC North 2025 NFL Draft Outlook, Team Needs: Would Will Campbell Ensure a Caleb Williams Breakout for Bears?

Last season, the NFC North was the surprise of the NFL, though the Bears finished with a disappointing 5-12 in Caleb Williams' first season. After going hard on the offensive line in free agency, can more help in the 2025 NFL Draft help get things over the edge? Tipp Major explores each team's needs and potential first round selections in this NFC North 2025 Draft Outlook and Team Needs article.

Tipp Major

Apr 8 2025, 7:00pm | 8 min read

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NFC North 2025 NFL Draft Outlook, Team Needs: Would Will Campbell Ensure a Caleb Williams Breakout for Bears?

Surprises came from left and right in the NFC North division last season, particularly regarding the Minnesota Vikings.

Not even the most diehard Vikings fan would have predicted they would finish with 14 wins. I was optimistic about their performance, but expected them to secure only six wins. We must give credit to the incredible job that Coach Kevin O'Connell did with this team. While some regression is likely for the Vikings, the question remains: can they still leave a mark on this division?

Let’s take a look at each team in this division and see who they lost and gained in free agency as we head into the 2025 draft.

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2025 NFC NORTH ODDS

Detroit Lions +140
Green Bay Packers +280
Chicago Bears +470
Minnesota Vikings +475

Click here for latest 2026 Super Bowl Odds

NFC North 2025 NFL Draft Outlook and Team Needs

Detroit Lions

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 28
2nd round: Pick 60
3rd round: Pick 102
4th round: Pick 130
6th round: Pick 196
7th round: Picks 228, 244

2024 Record and Division Finish

Record: 15-2
Division Finish: 1st

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (CB) Carlton Davis, (DL) Jonah Williams, (G) Kevin Zeitler, (CB) Kindle Vildor
Notable Additions: (CB) D.J. Reed, (DT) Roy Lopez, (LB) Grant Stuard, (TE) Kenny Yeboah
Team Needs: EDGE, G, DT

One would have to applaud the job General Manager Brad Holmes has done in past drafts getting players like:

Adam Hutchinson (2022) - 1st round, Pick 2
Amon-Ra St. Brown (2021) - 4th round, Pick 112
Sam LaPorta (2023) - 2nd round, Pick 34
Penei Sewell (2021) - 1st round, Pick 7
Jahmyr Gibbs (2023) - 1st round, Pick 12

After leading the league in scoring with a measly 33 points per game last season, it seems that the offense is still intact. It would be beneficial for Adam Hutchinson to have a partner to team up with. Mike Green, an EDGE player from Marshall, possesses a lightning-quick first step and relentless pursuit, making him a threat to disrupt offensive linemen.

Pairing him with Hutchinson could spell trouble for opposing teams.

Green Bay Packers

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 23
2nd round: Pick 54
3rd round: Pick 87
4th round: Pick 124
5th round: Pick 159
6th round: Pick 198
7th round: Picks 237, 250

2024 Record and Division Finish

Record: 11-6
Division Finish: 3rd

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (CB) Corey Ballentine, (RB) A.J. Dillon, (C ) Josh Meyers, (CB) Eric Stokes, (LB) Eric Wilson, (NT) T.J. Slaton, (P) Daniel Whelan, (WR) Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Notable Additions: (OG) Aaron Banks and (CB) Nate Hobbs
Team Needs: CB, WR, EDGE, DL, OL

During the offseason, the Packers are showing interest in several wide receivers. Their current receiver group has been a significant disappointment, even though the team continues to prioritize the position.

If they decide to target another wide receiver in this draft, Luther Burdern III, WR, Missouri is a yards after catch skills are first class. He possesses exceptional yards-after-catch skills and has the potential to be a deep threat.

It would be exciting to see him coached by Matt LaFleur.

Minnesota Vikings

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 24
3rd round: Pick 97
5th round: Pick 139
6th round: Pick 187

2024 Record and Division Finish

Record: 14-3
Division Finish: 2nd

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (S) Cam Bynum, (DE) Jonathan Allen, (DT) Jovan Hargrave, (QB) Sam Darnold
Notable Additions: (OT) Will Fries, (DT) Jonathan Allen, (DT) Javon Hargrave, (C ) Ryan Kelly, (CB) Isaiah Rodgers, (DB) Tavierre Thomas, (OT) Justin Skule, (LB) Eric Wilson, (CB) Jeff Okudah, (WR) Tim Jones, (WR) Rondale Moore
Team Needs: DT, CB, S, OL

Congratulations once again to Coach O’Connell for leading the team and earning the title of Coach of the Year in 2024. The entire coaching staff did a tremendous job with this team. However, the defense struggled to stop opponents in the passing game, allowing an average of 239 receiving yards per game, which ranked third-worst in the league.

Improving the secondary is a top priority for the defense. Coach Flores likes to mix up defensive schemes, and Trey Amos, a cornerback from Ole Miss, has the ability to excel in both man and zone coverage. His good size makes him competitive against wide receivers, making this an ideal spot for him in Skoal Country.

Chicago Bears

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 10
2nd round: Picks 39, 41
3rd round: Pick 72
5th round: Pick 149
7th round: Picks 235, 242

2024 Record and Division Finish

Record: 5-12
Division Finish: 4th

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (WR) Keenan Allen, (TE) Gerald Everett, (LS) Patrick Scales, (DE) DeMarcus Walker, Others (RB) Darrynton Evans, (CB) Jaylon Jones, (T) Jake Curhan, (DT) Byron Cowart, (WR) DeAndre Carter, (T) Matt Pryor, (G) Teven Jenkins, (LB) Jack Sanborn, (T) Larry Borom, (Edge) Jake Martin, (DE) Darrell Taylor
Notable Additions: (Edge) Dayo Odeyingbo, (DT) Grady Jarrett, (C ) Drew Dalman, (TE) Durham Smthye, (S) Tarvarius Moore, (LS) Scott Daly, (TE) Robert Tonyan, (WR) Olamide Zaccheaus, (WR) Devin Duvernay
Team Needs: OT, EDGE, RB

Why would a team that finished 5-12 last season be exciting to talk about? One reason could be Ben Johnson leaving Detroit to join the struggling Chicago Bears.

Johnson has made significant promises to transform Caleb Williams into a star quarterback, something that the Windy City has desperately needed for a long time. Another commitment that Johnson and General Manager Ryan Poles made this offseason was to improve the offensive line, which has been a major pain point for the team. They welcomed Joe Thuney from Kansas City to strengthen the interior line. An even bigger move was bringing in Jonah Jackson, who has experience in Head Coach Johnson’s schemes from his time in Detroit.

With the 10th overall pick, making one more move to the offensive line is the correct move! This will help not only keep Williams upright. It will help the already confident quarterback to maintain his confidence. The behemoth Will Campbell, OT, LSU pushed up 225 twenty-three times at his pro day. Showing off his strength.

Bringing in two vets and one of them already familiar with the system can bring that “C” word all young players need to adjust to the NFL, and that word is confidence.

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Tipp Major

@tippmajor

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Tipp Major here, yes that is my real name! What can I say I LOVE SPORTS, particularly football. I especially enjoy Fantasy Football. When I am not watching sports, you can find me spending time with my family, at the gym, or at the record store! Oh ya, I love sneakers too.

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