The Top Draft Gem in the NFC North

The NFC North generated many storylines heading into the NFL Draft. Out of all the picks, one player was the draft gem of the NFC North.

The NFC North’s Top Draft Gem

Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze – WR Washington

It’s hard to look at each team’s picks in the draft and not circle Odunze’s name as a gem. The Washington product was electric in college. Odunze comes into the NFL with a chance to be a difference-maker immediately. Chicago revamped its receiver room over the last two years, but Odunze is the one who should stick as a franchise player. His game has similarities to Julio Jones, and at Washington Odunze’s tape matched his production. With Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore in the mix, the Bears receiver room can be the best in the league.

For Chicago, adding Odunze means a potentially bright season in 2024. It also means the Bears have flexibility next offseason when Allen’s contract expires. While Allen is still playing at a high level, injuries have been a part of his game. In his eleven seasons as a pro, Allen has only played two full seasons (per pro-football-reference). While on the field, Allen is a leader and highly productive. But the Bears cannot count on the 32-year-old veteran to play at a high level for much longer. Odunze steps into the lineup in Chicago with less pressure than most top-ten picks, but his ceiling remains just as high. By being patient and letting the board fall to them, the Bears landed the top draft gem in the NFC North.

Honorable Mention: MarShawn Lloyd – RB USC

The Green Bay Packers are pushing their chips to the center of the table in 2024. In free agency, the team took a different approach than their usual conservative ways and spent big. By adding Josh Jacobs to the backfield, Green Bay raised the floor of their offense for the next few years. Jacobs replaces Aaron Jones, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Between Jacobs and Lloyd, the Packers have an infusion of young talent in their backfield. While A.J. Dillon remains a Packer, the team appears more likely than not to move on from him after this season.

In Llloyd, the Packers landed a player with the traits to be a three-down back in the NFL. Jim Nagy and Daniel Jeremiah both praised Lloyd during the draft process. Jeremiah is one the most well-respected analysts in the game, while Nagy runs the Senior Bowl and has a close eye on hundreds of prospects. At USC, Lloyd ripped off numerous big gains on the ground and even made an impact as a receiver. His vision is solid and he plays with power in between the tackles. One of Lloyd’s best traits is his breakaway speed. Lloyd showed the ability to hit second gear quickly, and this should help him have success at the next level.

Green Bay doesn’t need Lloyd to be an impact player immediately, but Jacobs is coming off a down year in 2023 where he also missed time due to injury. With the way teams use multiple backs throughout the season, there’s a good chance Lloyd will carve out a significant role early in Green Bay.