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Packers had best free agency of NFC North teams

By Freddie Boston

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Sherrick McManis #27 of the Chicago Bears and Adrian Amos #38 react after an incomplete pass to Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings turns the ball over on downs in the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 30: Sherrick McManis #27 of the Chicago Bears and Adrian Amos #38 react after an incomplete pass to Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings turns the ball over on downs in the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Green Bay Packers needed to be aggressive in free agency, and they are the most improved team in the NFC North.

There’s still a long way to go in the offseason, and Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has work to do to turn this team into a contender again. But there’s good reason to believe that so far, the Packers are the most improved team in the NFC North.

Surprisingly aggressive in free agency, the Packers made four big moves just a couple of days into the new league year, strengthening the pass rush with Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, the secondary with Adrian Amos, and the offensive line with Billy Turner.

The Packers’ gain was the Bears’ loss, as Amos swapped blue and orange for green and gold. Chicago also lost cornerback Bryce Callahan and traded away running back Jordan Howard for next to nothing. To replace them, they signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Buster Skrine and Mike Davis.

Considering the Bears’ lack of draft picks (none in the opening two rounds), they’ve taken a considerable step back at each of those positions.

FanSided had Amos as the third-best safety entering free agency, with Clinton-Dix ninth. Washington gave up a fourth-round pick for Clinton-Dix last season, but then didn’t re-sign him this offseason, instead spending big to bring in Landon Collins.

The biggest loss is Howard, and while he may not have been a perfect fit in Matt Nagy’s offense, the Bears just gave away a running back with two 1,000-yard seasons, and 3,370 rushing yards in three seasons. In return they received a Day 3 draft pick. That’s a big win for the Eagles.

Quiet in free agency, the Vikings didn’t do enough to fix their positions of need while watching Sheldon Richardson walk, who tied for third on the team in sacks last season.

The Detroit Lions can be pleased with their work, landing the top edge rusher on the market in Trey Flowers, but they did lose Ezekiel Ansah. While Ansah’s production has dropped in recent years, partly due to injuries, the Lions still need to address the pass rush despite signing Flowers.

Bob Quinn made a couple of good moves to bring in tight end Jesse James and cornerback Justin Coleman. While Danny Amendola will give them an option in the slot, they will miss Golden Tate after trading him away last season. The Lions also lost Glover Quin and T.J. Lang this offseason.

Overall, the Packers can be delighted with their work in free agency. The Lions, too, got better, but the same can’t be said about the Bears and Vikings.

Green Bay and Detroit needed the most work in free agency and were both active, and both teams enter the draft with plenty of picks (the Packers have 10, the Lions nine).

The Packers get the slight edge, though, as they addressed multiple positions of need, while also making their rivals weaker by signing Amos.

Must Read. Packers address both sides of the ball in mock draft. light

Now Gutekunst needs to make as big of an impact in the draft.

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