Odd Men Out (NFC North): NFL Veterans Most De-Valued by New Rookie Picks 
Dorian “The Trashman” Colbert, Rosterwatch.com

Chicago Bears

Matt Forte may have raised an eyebrow when the Bears drafted  Ka’Deem Carey, who some ranked at the top of this year’s rookie RB list, but his carries won’t be affected this season. Carey won’t compete for the starting job anytime soon.  There were no other notable offensive skill player rookie additions to the Bears.

Detroit Lions

TE Brandon Pettigrew recently had his contract extended, which is kind of puzzling considering that the Lions then brought in the dynamic Eric Ebron with their first pick of the draft. Pettigrew won’t be as adversely affected by Ebron as Joseph Fauria will be, though, as Fauria was being used as the move tight end, the position Ebron will be taking over. Those hoping to squeeze a few drops out of Fauria’s fantasy turnip this season are to be sorely disappointed. Pettigrew might actually see an uptick in targets from last year in Lombardi’s aggressive offensive scheme.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers have an embarrassment of riches at the receiver position, having added the NCAA 2013 leader in receptions and TDs in Davante Adams, and Wisconsin’s all-time reception leader in Jared Abbrederis along with an interesting Senior Bowler in Jeff Janis from Saginaw Valley State. It’s hard to tell how this will all shake out this season, but I can say that Randall Cobb will be least affected by either player, as his skill set is singular on this squad. Jarrett Boykin has the least seniority of any of the veteran receivers, so it seems that his tenure is the most tenuous, though coach McCarthy is constantly giving him votes of confidence.

TE Colt Lyerla adds even more mystery to a tight end group that we haven’t quite sussed out yet. Brandon Bostick has been lauded as the Packers’ best blocking tight end, and Lyerla projects to be more of a move guy, so it’s Andrew Quarless who will probably lose snaps should Lyerla stick.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings claim that they are in no hurry to rush QB Teddy Bridgewater under center, and that is music to Matt Cassel‘s ears if that is truly the team’s intention. I have a feeling that Teddy will come along sooner than later in Norv Turner’s high octane scheme though. Neither Cassel nor Christian Ponder are the answer in Minnesota, so it’s a question of “when” rather than “if” Bridgewater steps in.

RB Jerick McKinnon has been thought by some to be the heir apparent to Adrian Peterson, but GM Rick Spielman sees him as more of a third-down back. Either way, we won’t see him eat into AP’s playing time unless All-Day gets injured.