Packers: Power ranking NFC North defenses before free agency 2023
The Green Bay Packers‘ defense fell short of expectations this season, but is it still the best in the NFC North?
Defense proved to be a challenge for all four NFC North teams at some point this past season, although the Packers and Detroit Lions showed improvements later on.
With free agency just around the corner, here are the NFC North defense power rankings.
1. Green Bay Packers
The Packers’ defense is the best in the division, but there are some big questions this offseason.
Safety Adrian Amos and defensive lineman Jarran Reed are among the team’s free agents, potentially making both positions areas of need this offseason.
Green Bay’s defense ranked 26th against the run but was far better stopping the pass, ranking sixth.
The Packers have the talent to build around at every level.
Defensive lineman Kenny Clark is a two-time Pro Bowler. Inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and cornerback Jaire Alexander have been All-Pros in the past couple of seasons.
The Packers need to add pass-rush depth, improve against the run, and add a safety.
2. Detroit Lions
The Lions’ defense ended the 2022 season ranked last in total yards allowed per game, but that doesn’t tell the entire story.
Detroit’s defense needs a lot of work, there’s no doubt about it, but it also showed huge improvements in the second half of the season.
The Lions allowed 29.3 points per game in their opening nine games. In their final eight, they allowed just 20.4 points per game, a significant improvement.
Aidan Hutchinson impressed in year one, making 9.5 sacks, while James Houston had eight sacks in just seven games.
A lot of work is required, but this defense is moving in the right direction.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings ranked 31st in total defense and 30th in scoring defense this season.
Unlike the Lions, the Vikings didn’t show much promise late in the season. The New York Giants made it look easy against them in a 31-24 wild-card victory, while the Packers scored 41 points against Minnesota in Week 17.
Dalvin Tomlinson and Patrick Peterson are free agents this offseason.
4. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears had the fourth-worst defense in yards allowed per game, while no team allowed more points per game.
Chicago traded away Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith before the trade deadline last season and now enters a rebuild on defense.
The Bears will have a chance to land one of the top defensive prospects in the draft, like Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter or Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.
Chicago also has the most cap room in the NFL. Expect big changes on defense.