The NFC North has had some major shakeup in the quarterback department, especially as two 2024 first-round picks enter the division.
Who will join those players in the division next year via the NFL Draft? Here, we look ahead at the players being drafted the most on each team in the NFC, according to data gathered from Pro Football Network’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator.
Which Players Are Being Selected Most in Round 1 of the PFN MDS?
Chicago Bears: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
The Panthers aren’t the only fan base with center at the top of their mind. Brailsford is also the top-selected player by Bears fans in the MDS. In fact, Bears fans have selected Brailsford over 1,000 times — far more than any player-team match so far.
Currently, the Bears have Coleman Shelton as a short-term stopgap, but as the top center prospect in the 2025 class, Brailsford’s athleticism, range, and energy would take the unit up a notch.
Beyond Brailsford, it’s clear that EDGE is another well-defined area of need for Chicago. Williams makes another appearance here, as does Princely Umanmielen.
2) Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
3) Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
4) Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
5) Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Detroit Lions: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Lions fans are staying home. According to the latest MDS data, the most-selected prospect by Lions fans thus far in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle is defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. He out-places three edge rushers, as well as a safety who transferred from Michigan.
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Though the Lions signed veteran DJ Reader to play the nose tackle spot, he is growing older. The 6’3″, 339-pound Grant would be the perfect understudy for Reader, and once he hits the field, he and Alim McNeill would wreak havoc on opposing fronts.
2) Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
3) JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
4) Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
5) Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
Green Bay Packers: Gus Hartwig, C, Purdue
Surprisingly, the most-selected prospect by Packers fans is a player with an average draft position in the Day 3 range: Purdue center Gus Hartwig. Packers fans are clearly eager to move on from Josh Myers, but this year’s center class lacks proven depth.
Nevertheless, Hartwig could be a diamond in the rough. He’s a high-character locker room addition, first and foremost. And at 6’5″, 315 pounds, with passable baseline athleticism, solid flexibility, and strong football IQ forged by experience, he brings plenty to like.
Past Hartwig, it seems as though defensive tackle is the next area of concern for Packers fans, with Kenny Clark’s contract situation slowly creeping up. Tyleik Williams, in particular, would be an exceptional succession plan.
2) Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
3) Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
4) Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
5) Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Minnesota Vikings: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
You could argue that there’s no wrong answer when it comes to the Michigan DTs for the Vikings. I’ve already mocked Graham to Minnesota more than once, but Vikings fans seem to favor the other DT — the nose tackle, Grant.
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Grant would be a peculiar fit in Brian Flores’ defense, but there’s no discounting the potential he has as a force multiplier and orbit man on the front line. Grant can hold the point as well as anyone, and he also has exciting pass-rush viability.
DT covers all of the top three spots for Vikings fans — after which CB and RB prospects make appearances.
2) Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
3) Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
4) Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
5) Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
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