NFC North: Top Performers
Since the season is over for the NFC North, now is the perfect time to choose the best players in each position. I will be following the fantasy football roster format (2 RB, 3 WR); however, my rankings are not solely based on fantasy output. Each player chosen has proven over the course of the season to be the most valuable at their position within the division. Without further ado, let’s start with the quarterbacks.
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Photo Credit: Getty Images
To say this choice was tough is an understatement. Of all the divisions in football this is probably the richest in terms of quality signal-callers. Yes, Mitchell Trubisky is in the playoffs; yes, Kirk Cousins threw five more touchdown passes; and yes, Matthew Stafford is…well, Matthew Stafford. What gives Aaron Rodgers the edge here is that we’ve seen what happens when he’s not in the game. The Bears won with career backup Chase Daniel, the Vikings had a better season with Case Keenum last year, and statistically Matthew Stafford paled in comparison to Aaron Rodgers. In a close call, Aaron Rodgers is still king of the North.
Running backs: Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Latavius Murray, Minnesota Vikings
Because the NFL has become a pass-first league, this decision was tough. The only running back to play in all 16 games was Jordan Howard, who lost touches to Tarik Cohen and rarely displayed the explosiveness that he’s shown in the past (Also I had him on my fantasy team which I’m still disappointed in). Aaron Jones came on to lead the Packers in rushing and score 8 touchdowns on the ground, averaging over 5 yards per carry. He also factored into the passing game and added another touchdown. While Latavius Murray was not the starting running back for the Vikings, he proved to be a viable complement to the oft-injured Dalvin Cook. After taking over for Cook, Murray ran for six touchdowns, and didn’t fumble all year. Not bad for a backup running back.
Wide Recievers: Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions
Photo Credit: Getty Images
With all due respect to Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen is the best receiver in the division. No matter what coverage defenses throw at him, he consistently finds the soft spot and exploits it. He has great hands, and runs perfect routes. He made 113 catches for over 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns. Let’s not forget he was undrafted out of college. Davante Adams had a monster year in Green Bay as what seemed to be the only target for Aaron Rodgers. He had over 100 catches for more than 1300 and 13 touchdowns. To put this in perspective, he accounted for over half of the Packers’ passing touchdowns this season. Lastly Kenny Golladay had a strong season in Detroit. While not a replacement for Calvin Johnson, he looks to be their best receiver since Megatron retired; catching 70 passes for over 1000 yards and 5 touchdowns. The next listed receiver (besides Golden Tate) caught half as many passes as Golladay. Again, Stefon Diggs put up very similar numbers to Thielen, and while those are huge numbers, Adams and Golladay were both integral to even the most limited success of their teams.
Tight end: Trey Burton, Chicago Bears
This may be a surprising statistic with the Bears having multiple weapons offensively but Trey Burton had six touchdowns this season. He made over 50 catches for more than 500 yards. Burton was used as a third tight end with the Eagles last season and flourished after he signed with the Bears in the off season as the premier tight end. He is able to combine his size and speed to stretch the field in a Bears offense that is a perfect fit for Mitchell Trubisky’s ability to get outside of the pocket and create second chances downfield.
Defense/Special teams: Chicago Bears
This was the easiest decision to make. The numbers speak for themselves; the Bears boast the top defense in points allowed, best defense against the run, third best defense in yards against per game, and they have logged a whopping 27 interceptions as a team. Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith made the Bears defense look terrifying to opposing offenses, with Mack getting 12.5 sacks and 6 fumbles, and Smith making 89 tackles. This defense looks just as good as it did when they played in the super bowl in 2007.
Kicker: Matt Prater, Detroit Lions
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Matt Prater has been consistent for his career with the Lions. This year he was perfect from the 30-40 yard range, which should be automatic for NFL kickers. He was 3-5 in kicks over 50 yards and made all of his extra points. In a division that could be very tight in the next few years, it is important to have a kicker that can give you all the points you should have. Matt Prater exemplifies that aspect of the game for me.
If there are any comments agreeing with these choices or anyone that I’ve snubbed, feel free to comment.
By Nick Selko