NFC North secondaries ranked from worst to best in 2023

Whether schematic or due to personnel, the NFC North secondaries left a lot to be desired last season.

Don't be fooled by the Green Bay Packers' sixth-ranked pass defense. Their impressive numbers were in part due to defending a league-low 478 pass attempts. Green Bay couldn't stop the run, so opponents leaned on their rushing attack and passed less often.

Take one look at the average yards allowed per pass attempt, and it was a depressing sight for the NFC North. The Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears all ranked inside the bottom five in that category.

So, have things changed this offseason? Which NFC North team has the best secondary in 2023?

4. Minnesota Vikings

Projected starters: Byron Murphy, Andrew Booth, Akayleb Evans, Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum

Minnesota's pass defense ranked 31st last season, and the team made significant changes to the secondary. Patrick Peterson, Chandon Sullivan, Cameron Dantzler, and Duke Shelley played the most snaps of Vikings cornerbacks last season, and the team moved on from all four of them this offseason.

The Vikings signed Byron Murphy Jr. in free agency. He only played nine games last season, but in 2021, Murphy defended 12 passes and made four interceptions.

Six-time Pro Bowler Harrison Smith is still a key starter in the Vikings' secondary, but he enters his age-34 season.

Minnesota will hope second-year safety Lewis Cine can make an impact when he returns from injury, as well as rookie second-round pick Mekhi Blackmon.

The Vikings added some talent but they also lost key starters, like Patrick Peterson. Serious questions remain for Minnesota's secondary.