Discover where Mel Kiper Jr. sees division rivals like the Bears and Lions landing top talent in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The 2026 NFL draft is approaching as experts are locking in their final answer for which players will end up where in the showcase. We have exhausted where the Vikings might go with their picks, but there is some interest in where other teams within the NFC North division will look to add players.
Bitter rivals in the Green Bay Packers will not select in the first round barring a trade. The Packers traded their first-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys. The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, however, will pick in the first round. Experts are weighing in on what positions they could target in the draft.
ESPN NFL analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has the NFC North champion Chicago Bears drafting Missouri defensive end Zion Young with the No. 25 pick. Kiper explained why it makes sense.
"The Bears' attempts to give Montez Sweat a running mate off the edge have fallen short, but Young could finally be the answer. He piled up 6.5 sacks, 46 pressures and 18 tackles for loss last season, showing a mix of power and quickness. The Bears are suddenly legit contenders in the NFC, but their 35 sacks last season tied for seventh fewest in the league. I mentioned this in my last mock draft -- in which I also had Young to Chicago -- but it's worth repeating: The Bears haven't used a top-50 pick on an edge rusher since Leonard Floyd went ninth in 2016. It's time to get a little more aggressive at the position during the draft."
Green Bay Packers tight end Josh Whyle (81) runs the ball during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Bears 28-21. Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesKiper has the Detroit Lions taking offensive tackle Monroe Freeling of Georgia just ahead of the Vikings at pick No. 17.
"Freeling has a huge 6-foot-7, 315-pound frame and long 34¾-inch arms, and he can erase pass rushers with his quickness and handwork. His 18 starts of experience might worry some teams, but I'd bet Detroit would be happy to land Freeling in this range. He has a ton of potential, and the Lions were 31st in pass block win rate last season (55.5%). Because Freeling played left tackle at Georgia, Penei Sewell could stick on the right side, too. Freeling would replace Taylor Decker at LT, with new signee Larry Borom also getting plenty of reps. It'd be a key move in getting this team back to the postseason."
We'll keep an eye on where the Vikings' divisional rivals go with their selections when the draft kicks off from Pittsburgh.