32 53s: NFC North Pre-Training Camp 53-man Roster Projection

My initial roster projections for the Vikings, Packers, Lions, and Bears

Below, you can find my 53-man roster projection for the NFC North. You’re welcome to share my graphics wherever you please, just so long as you tag my social account or direct them back here! You can even share the graphic below and mark it up with any disagreements you might have! More info on my process can be found here.

Vikings

First thing to note with Minnesota’s roster is that J.J. McCarthy is a solid lock. My model seems to be off from what I would expect in cases where the player missed significant time in the previous season. The takeaway from the Vikings roster at large is the general lack of depth. There are only 17 still players under their draft day contracts on this roster, the lowest count in the league. The flip side of that is that the Vikings are stocking up on rookie UDFAs and futures contract players. With a total of 37 players in those two categories combined, Minnesota has 6 more than any other team and 14 more than the league average. I’m expecting 6.6 of those 37 players to make the 53-man roster.

Packers

Green Bay is has roster built in the opposite way of their purple and gold rivals above. The Packers boast one of the youngest teams in football thanks to a total of 34 players still under draft contracts. Two of those 34 draftees are wide receivers taken in the 1st & 3rd round of April’s draft. The Packers WR room continues to have strong depth, although they may finally be at the point of trading one of the pieces way regardless of Christian Watson’s health. With Jarie Alexander now gone, there may be some preseason activity in the defensive backfield.

Lions

The Lions were derailed by injury last season and are hoping to get back to the playoffs in better health. They’ll be tested by going it without either coordinator from last season, as both accepted head coaching jobs elsewhere. Detroit also lost offensive line starters Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler as well as Carlton Davis.

Bears

Year 2 of the Caleb Williams era will feature a complete makeover of the Bears offense. As alluded to above, former Lions OC Ben Johnson will take over as head coach. Along with the new offensive play-caller come three new interior offensive line starters, 2nd round picks at WR and OT, plus a 1st round pick at TE.