Draft impact: Packers' Johnathan Franklin

Another in a periodic series examining the roles of NFC North newcomers: Running back Eddie Lacy figures to absorb the majority of attention on the Green Bay Packers' draft class, considering his national name recognition and his status as the Packers' second-round pick.

Would Packers have chosen Montee Ball?

Our annual draft analysis includes a category entitled "File it Away." I used it this year to discuss the Detroit Lions' failure to draft a receiver or an offensive tackle, but I want to follow up with a second scenario that could have more lasting impact in the NFC North.

NFL post-draft Power Rankings: NFC North

ESPN.com's power ranking committee convened this week because, well, why not? NFL teams have made it to the other side of the bulk of player acquisition season. Let's take a look at how NFC North teams stack up: 5.

Mel Kiper Jr. 2013 draft grades: NFC North

Reading Mel Kiper Jr.'s grades the morning after the draft is like a holiday tradition. No matter how much we all understand intuitively that it's impossible to project future success, we still want to know what the man who has spent three decades evaluating draft classes thinks of our favorite team's efforts.

about 3 days ago | Kevin Seifert |

One reason reportedly behind the Steelers passing on Lacy was concern over a toe injury the running back has dealt with, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

about 4 days ago | Data Provided By

NFC North draft analysis

How top-heavy was the 2013 draft in the NFC North? We welcomed more players in the first round (six) than in the second and third rounds combined (four), the result of two big trades.

about 5 days ago | Kevin Seifert |