With the 2026 NFL Draft coming to a close, it’s time to take a look at not just how the Detroit Lions did, but their divisional rivals as well.
The Lions are hoping to rebound from falling to last place in the division in 2025. This year’s defending divisional champions are the Chicago Bears, who hope to build on their newfound success under coach Ben Johnson. The Green Bay Packers had a strong start in 2025 before flaming out in the end, and with EDGE Micah Parsons coming off an ACL tear, he might
miss some time. Finally, the Minnesota Vikings are hoping they can also improve after taking a step back like the Lions, but with a new quarterback in Kyler Murray, it could go either way.
Let’s take a look at all four teams’ draft picks and see if they improved enough to take the crown in 2026.
Detroit Lions
Picks:
Round 1: OT Blake Miller
Round 2: EDGE Derrick Moore
Round 4: LB Jimmy Rolder
Round 5: CB Keith Abney II
Round 5: WR Kendrick Law
Round 6: DT Skyler Gill-Howard
Round 7: EDGE Tyre West
The Lions finished building their starting offensive line with the Blake Miller pick in the first round. While it was a little bit of a reach, with how the board was falling, it felt like the best time for Detroit to make the pick before someone snagged him. He comes away as the best draft pick and someone who will instantly have an impact on this team.
For Day 2, the Lions finally did what the fans have clamored for years to do, and that was draft a pass-rushing defensive end in Michigan’s Derrick Moore. The Lions did have to trade up to get him, giving up one of their fourth-round picks (128) to move from Pick 50 to 44. The biggest question marks on the offense and defense were addressed early by the Lions, giving them ample room to expand their roster further on to finish out the draft.
On Day 3, the Lions beefed up their defense. They started adding potential future starters in linebacker Jimmy Rolder and cornerback Keith Abney II. Holmes quickly pivoted to the offense and special teams, trading up for wide receiver Kendrick Law. To close out, the Lions drafted defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard and EDGE Tyre West to give them more pass-rushing linemen, something this team needed more of.
Overall, the Lions focused on defense—their main issue outside of the offensive line—and that was addressed in the first round. They should see an improvement in the trenches on both sides. With a better pass rush, their defense should get to the quarterback quicker. With a better, younger offensive line, we could see them return to their 2023 and 2024 offensive days.
Chicago Bears
Picks:
Round 1: S Dillon Thieneman
Round 2: C Logan Jones
Round 3: TE Sam Roush
Round 3: WR Zavion Thomas
Round 4: CB Malik Muhammad
Round 5: LB Keyshaun Elliott
Round 6: DT Jordan van den Berg
In the first round, the Bears helped their secondary out in the safety room, drafting Dillon Thieneman. The Bears lost both starting safeties, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, in free agency, and replaced them with Coby Bryant and Cam Lewis. Bryant is likely a starter, but it appears Thieneman will compete with Lewis for the other role.
For Day 2, Chicago made some interesting picks. Center Logan Jones was a smart move by them, as they were faced with the sudden retirement of center Drew Dalman one year into a three-year contract. In the third round, they added more weapons for quarterback Caleb Williams, drafting tight end Sam Roush and wide receiver Zavion Thomas. The tight end move seemed odd since the Bears have Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland, so the depth at that position is deep. The team did lose wide receiver DJ Moore, and adding Kalif Raymond isn’t a direct replacement, so taking Thomas gives them a younger option in that room.
To finish off on Day 3, the Bears got more help for their defense, taking cornerback Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg. Like the Lions, the Bears needed bodies for defensive upgrades, so these were helpful picks in improving.
Overall, I think Chicago only had a good first two picks. They got a safety who’s an instant starter and a potential starting center, but another tight end? Really? Is the 13 personnel taking over the NFL in 2026? Anyways, the Thomas pick wasn’t bad, but the other picks didn’t jump off the page for me as meaningful contributors to the team. I think they had the worst draft of any team in the division.
Green Bay Packers
Picks:
Round 2: CB Brandon Cisse
Round 3: DT Chris McClellan
Round 4: EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton
Round 5: C/G Jager Burton
Round 6: CB Domani Jackson
Round 6: K Trey Smack
The draft didn’t start for Green Bay until Day 2, as they traded away their 2026 first-round pick as part of the trade for Parsons. With their second-round pick, Green Bay helped boost their secondary by taking cornerback Brandon Cisse. In the third round, the team got some needed interior defensive line help in defensive tackle Chris McClellan. Both picks could start for the team,and they help address some concerns on the defensive side after the team lost their defensive coordinator this offseason.
For Day 3, the Packers did what they could to find valuable players in spots where they have needs. EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton could turn into a future starter, and the versatility in Jager Burton is valuable. I think the pick of cornerback Domani Jackson is underrated, and he could be a future starter. The biggest issue I had with their class was trading up for a kicker. We’ve never seen those moves go wrong before, right?
Overall, I think Green Bay did well without a first-round pick. They got two solid cornerbacks, help on the defensive line, depth on the interior offensive line, and possibly a new kicker. I don’t think the kicker pick was their best use of draft capital, but hey, not my team. If they can develop these guys, Green Bay will continue to be a top threat in the division.
Minnesota Vikings
Picks:
Round 1: DT Caleb Banks
Round 2: LB Jake Golday
Round 3: DL Domonique Orange
Round 3: OT Caleb Tiernan
Round 3: S Jakobe Thomas
Round 5: TE/FB Max Bredeson
Round 5: CB Charles Demmings
Round 6: RB Demond Claiborne
Round 7: C Gavin Gerhardt
To start, the Vikings got some beef to their defensive line, taking defensive tackle Caleb Banks. The team did lose both defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, in free agency, so the need was glaring on the interior of that defensive line. Banks is coming off a broken foot suffered after three games into his 2025 season, and was re-injured at the 2026 NFL Combine, forcing him to have surgery. He should be cleared to play starting in June and ready for the regular season.
For Day 2, the Vikings weren’t just making picks; they also traded away one of their best defensive players, pass rusher Jonathan Greenard, to the Philadelphia Eagles for two third-round picks. Before getting there, the team drafted linebacker Jake Golday to fill the hole that Greenard left. In the third round, they continued to get bodies in spots that were needed, drafting defensive lineman Domonique Orange for the interior. The tackle position has struggled with injuries, so drafting Caleb Tiernan gives them an OT3 worst-case, but someone who can fill in if the injuries pile up again. Finally, to finish off the night, they drafted safety Jakobe Thomas to help fill another void left by Harrison Smith, who is trending toward retirement.
In the finale for Day 3, the Vikings found their replacement for fullback C.J. Ham in Michigan tight end/fullback Max Bredeson—a great pick by them. They got more help on defense with cornerback Charles Demmings and flyers on running back Demond Claiborne and center Gavin Gerhardt.
Overall, the Vikings draft class has a few good pieces in it, but I’m not sure if any of them are playmakers and gamechangers. Banks will need to carry the defensive line, and I thought taking a safety in the third round was a bit late for them; that need should’ve been addressed sooner. They had the most picks out of anyone in the NFC North with nine, so their chances of finding helpful contributors are more likely than the rest of the division. It wasn’t the worst draft class of the division, but I think it keeps them in third place for 2026.
So who had the best draft? Well, if you look at consensus draft grades, the Lions actually earned the best scores, despite finishing 16th in the NFL:
