TEAM TO BEAT
. ’s ex-team made the free-agency splash of the winter, signing quarterback to a three-year, $84 million deal, to captain the squad Keenum led to the NFC championship game a season ago. Add in a top-five NFL defense and itap no surprise why many believe this Minnesota team has the talent to win it all.
NEW FACES
Chicago: Wide receiver , tight end , wide receiver , kicker Cody Parkey. Robinson gives second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky a huge upgrade at receiver.
Detroit: Running back LaGarrette Blount, tight end , defensive tackle , linebacker Christian Jones, center Wesley Johnson, linebacker Devon Kennard. Blount brings a much-needed veteran presence in the Lions’ locker room.
Green Bay: Quarterback DeShone Kizer, tight end , tight end , cornerback Tramon Williams, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson. Graham and Lewis are major upgrades at tight end for the Packers.
Minnesota: Quarterback Kirk Cousins, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, wide receiver , offensive guard Tom Compton, quarterback . Plenty of Broncos fans are glad to be rid of the last name on the list.
IMPACT ROOKIES
Chicago: Linebacker Roquan Smith, picked No. 8 overall, is a potential franchise defender in a city that needs one. Second-rounders James Daniels (center) and Anthony Miller (wide receiver) could see early playing time.
Detroit: The Lions are hoping second-round selection Kerryon Johnson will carry the mantle at running back — and they gave him help up front with center Frank Ragnow in the first round. Don’t sleep on the potential of defensive end Da’Shawn Hand, either.
Green Bay: The Packers picked cornerbacks with their first two picks (Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson) to bolster what has been a weak secondary. Then Green Bay added a trio of receivers — J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown.
Minnesota: The Vikings added an aggressive cornerback in Mike Hughes and an athletic offensive tackle in Brian O’Neill with their first two picks. Minnesota didn’t need much help in bolstering an already loaded roster.
ON THE HOT SEAT
Packers coach Mike McCarthy. Expectations are always high in Titletown, so just one win through 10 seasons with first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback doesn’t cut it. Green Bay finished below .500 (7-9) last fall for the first time since 2008. Another slump, and McCarthy likely won’t make it.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Minnesota: The Kirk Cousins experiment should be fascinating to watch — and should produce results.
2. Green Bay: Feels like a wild-card season, and with Rodgers healthy, don’t count the Packers out.
3. Detroit: First-year coach Matt Patricia must instill some defensive pride in the Lions.
4. Chicago: Plenty of young talent on the Bears roster but they’ll need another year to develop.
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