Pro Football Focus breaks down the needs for all 32 NFL teams and we have their take on the NFC North. The deadline for all NFL teams is Wednesday, November 5th at 5pm EST.
The facts on the trade deadline
NFC North Teams
CHICAGO BEARS: EDGE RUSHER
At 4-3, Chicago is much closer to being a buyer than a seller. Upgrading the pass rush seems like the most desirable course of action for general manager Ryan Poles. The Bears’ team 39.4% pass-rush win rate ranks 23rd, and their team 65.7 PFF pass-rush grade is 25th.
However, they do have young edge rusher Dominique Robinson, who has earned a good PFF pass-rush grade on limited action this season, and Austin Booker was just activated from injured reserve. Perhaps they already believe the cavalry is coming there.
DETROIT LIONS: CORNERBACK
You’ll see a lot of people mention pass rusher as Detroit’s main deadline need, which is understandable since Aidan Hutchinson is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for them with a 27.1% pass-rush win rate. But edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad is holding his own as well with a 76.4 PFF pass-rush grade this season. If the Lions were to make a move there, it would be for a big fish like Trey Hendrickson or Jaelan Phillips.
I feel like a cornerback depth move is more likely. Detroit knows firsthand what it’s like when the injury bug hits hard at that position. The real “no excuses” addition would be for the Lions to get as much playable depth as possible at that position for a deep playoff run.
GREEN BAY PACKERS: DEFENSIVE TACKLE
The Packers boast a Super Bowl-caliber roster on both sides of the ball. Defensive tackle depth could be worth monitoring. With Kenny Clark now on the Cowboys, Devonte Wyatt is the only Green Bay defensive tackle with a PFF overall grade above 68.0, outside of rookie Warren Brinson, whom the Packers might believe in enough to eschew a move at the position.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS: WHATEVER HELPS J.J. McCARTHY
The Vikings are much more likely to stand on their offseason moves than make any more deals at the deadline. Pass rush feels like the top area Minnesota could address, but the team does have Andrew Van Ginkel coming back from his neck injury. The real answer here is that if the Vikings believe they do something to elevate McCarthy, then they’ll look into it.
