Getty Image / Cindy Ord
The NFC North figures to be one of the most competitive divisions in all of the NFL this year with no glaringly weak team among the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears. All four teams have pretty strong units at the offensive skill position spots of wide receiver, running back, and tight end.
ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky was tasked with ranking the skills groups of those four teams, and he came in with a pretty interesting set of rankings, to say the least.
Orlovksy is no stranger to the NFC North, having played for the Detroit Lions from 2005-2008 and 2014-2016. But, his rankings made it seem like he knew nothing about the division. Take a look.
Very difficult to answer this question fairly bc all 4 are very good
1) I wanted 5 above avg/+ pass catchers as criteria
2) TE we’re included
3) Minn took 2 spot over Chi strictly bc JJ accounts for 2+ players hes so good pic.twitter.com/Z5vDz0VdXq— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 14, 2024
While it’s pass-catchers, that applies to running backs who catch the ball out of the backfield, as well.
That being said, this list makes absolutely no sense. In fact, it would make more sense if the list was in reverse order than it is.
Make no mistake, the Green Bay Packers have a solid group of receivers. In fact, everyone in the division does, as all four teams are probably in the top half of the NFL. But, they are the worst in the division.
Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Bo Melton, Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave are a very good five. A lot of teams would trade their group for that one. But, there’s no true number one target among that group. Who are they going to on a big third down? That remains to be seen.
I feel like the other three teams are pretty close, but the Bears should have the edge. DJ Moore isn’t the best receiver in the division, as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Justin Jefferson are two top-five receivers. But, he is still a surefire number one target and is probably a top ten receiver in the league. Behind him, the ultra-productive Keenan Allen and a rookie in Rome Odunze that many expect to be a star form one of, if not the best, trios in the league. Tight end Cole Kmet is an above-average player, and Deandre Swift can catch passes out of the backfield.
The Vikings and Lions are pretty similar in that they both have elite guys at the top, a young promising player in that number two role, and great tight ends. once TJ Hockensen returns from his injury for Minnesota. Before Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs got hurt this week, he would’ve pushed the Lions over the Vikings in this ranking. But, now, they’re pretty equal.
Ultimately, this will play out on the field, but Dan Orlovsky’s rankings make no sense.