Oct 13, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Detroit Lions security Brian Department (32) celebrates with Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) after making an interception through the second half towards the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photos
It’s time for my remaining NFC North place rankings for the 2026 season, and we end with the security place. To evaluate the earlier place rankings, click on the next hyperlinks: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, iDL, EDGE, LB, and CB.
NFC North Security Rankings for 2026
There was some change within the NFC North at security since I did my rankings final yr. Some huge names have left, new signings have been made, and a few intriguing rookies have joined the division.
1. Inexperienced Bay Packers
Oct 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight finish Evan Engram (17) catches a landing cross below strain from Inexperienced Bay Packers security Xavier McKinney (29), cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) through the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Photos.
Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo
Since switching the Huge Apple for Wisconsin, Xavier McKinney has been excellent. He earned first-team All-Professional honors in his first season in Inexperienced Bay and adopted that up with second-team All-Professional final season. The swap from the Giants to the Packers has been an ideal success for each the participant and the group and is the primary purpose Inexperienced Bay tops this checklist.
Nonetheless, McKinney isn’t a one-man present and receives significantly good help from Evan Williams and Javon Bullard, whereas Kitan Oladapo rounds out the depth chart. Prime-end expertise and good depth is a recipe for first place within the rankings.
2. Detroit Lions
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts with Detroit Lions security Kerby Joseph (31) through the recreation at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
Brian Department, Kerby Joseph, Christian Izien, Chuck Clark
Brian Department has been a wonderful addition to the Detroit Lions protection since he was drafted within the second spherical of the 2023 draft. His hard-hitting tackling units the tone in Detroit, the place his run protection is elite and his protection is fairly good, too.
Department and fellow security Kerby Joseph have began coaching camp on the bodily unable to carry out (PUP) checklist, which is one thing to observe as Department recovers from an Achilles damage and Joseph a knee damage that occurred final season. It leaves veteran Chuck Clark and Christian Izien holding down the fort in Detroit for now. The return to well being for Department will likely be important for the entire of the Lions protection.
3. Chicago Bears
Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Texas Tech Pink Raiders working again J’Koby Williams (20) is tackled by Oregon Geese defensive again Dillon Thieneman (31) through the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal recreation of the Faculty Soccer Playoff at Arduous Rock Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Photos
Dillon Thieneman, Coby Bryant, Elijah Hicks, Cam Lewis
The Bears turned to security with their first-round choose this yr, so the success of Dillon Thieneman goes to be essential. They want him to come back on and be an instantaneous starter who can lead the unit with the backup coming within the type of Coby Bryant, Elijah Hicks, and Cam Lewis.
If the Thieneman choose doesn’t work, the Bears may have an issue. Though Bryant provides them a strong veteran presence, Hicks performed little or no on protection final season, and Lewis was a depth participant in Buffalo earlier than becoming a member of Chicago. There’s lots of strain on Thieneman to ship early in his profession.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Aug 27, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Vikings security Josh Metellus (44) lays injured on the turf within the first quarter towards the Denver Broncos at Empower Subject at Mile Excessive. Obligatory Credit score: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Jakobe Thomas
Usually a place of power through the lengthy profession of Harrison Smith, the Vikings come into the 2026 season with security presumably the largest space of concern on the roster.
Josh Metellus is an effective participant, however his greatest soccer has come enjoying a hybrid function in Brian Flores’ protection. Now he’s the group’s standout security and must carry out as such. Theo Jackson provides the Vikings a strong veteran who has carried out properly as a depth participant the final couple of seasons. Then there may be Jay Ward, a fourth-round choose from 2023 who has completed a great job as a depth participant however is perhaps required extra this season.
Lastly, the Vikings drafted Jakobe Thomas within the third spherical this yr, and he could possibly be the joker within the pack in Minnesota. There has already been speak of him being prepared to begin instantly.
Proud UK Viking. Household Man. Take pleasure in writing about my group. Away from soccer an advocate for autism acceptance.
