of each NFC North team Preston Smith Jersey , starting with Detroit."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareNFC North in Free Agency: Lions landed the top edge rusher on the open marketChristopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY SportsThe Green Bay Packers play their division rivals twice a year, so regular APC readers have surely kept an eye on what the Lions, Bears and Vikings have done during the offseason. We’re going to take a look at what their acquisitions could contribute to new squads and why each team might have felt they could fill a hole on their rosters.This breakdown begins with the Detroit Lions, who were big spenders in free agency — landing one of the top EDGE players available in Trey Flowers — as more Belicheck disciples buck the “Patriot Way” of team-building. The Trey Flowers contract was a big deal for the defensive end, who’s coming directly from New England, where Matt Patricia used to coach the defense. A five-year contract worth a potential $90 million seems like a lot for an EDGE who didn’t specialize in sacks, necessarily, but rather being in the right place at the right time and applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks. By adding Flowers to a defensive line that includes Damon Harrison and a talented A’Shawn Robinson, the Lions could have good control of the trenches. By not re-signing Ezekiel Ansah, though, you have to wonder how much pass rush pressure they’ll apply. According to Football Outsiders, the Detroit Lions were 29th in pressure rate last season at 26.3 percent of pass plays. Sacks aren’t everything, as football Twitter has been quick to remind us this offseason Ty Summers Jersey 2019 , but a momentum-changing sack every now and then can light a fire in the defense.The Lions also paid big money to add another former Seahawks defensive back in Justin Coleman to help shore up their 31st ranked pass defense (by defensive DVOA). We remember the Deshawn Shead experiment, however, which ended poorly. Still, slot corners are as valuable as ever in today’s NFL and Coleman allowed an average of just 1.09 yards per slot coverage snap last year, which was good for 14th among corners with at least 100 passes thrown their way. Coleman is listed at 5-foot-11 190 pounds, so it will be interested if the Packers decide to test him with big slot options like Jimmy Graham and Equanimeous St. Brown.The offensive additions are fine, but not great. Danny Amendola will replace Golden Tate on the depth chart, but his role in the offense could be limited. As these things go, Amendola is another former Patriot whom Patricia knows well. Amendola had a few good games with the Dolphins last season, but other than that he was an afterthought. Blame it on the wonky QB situation if you will, but Amendola has never had more than four touchdowns in a season and hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2014. He should easily be a step down from Tate. The Lions’ newly signed TE Jesse James doesn’t feel like he’ll add a new dimension to the offense that wasn’t there with Luke Willson last year. The Lions also let former Packers guard T.J. Lang go (and he is apparently planning to retire), so adding Oday Aboushi for depth was a practical move.Major AdditionsDE Trey FlowersCB Justin ColemanWR Danny AmendolaTE Jesse JamesG Oday AboushiRe-SignedCB Marcus CooperDE Romeo OkwaraDeparted in Free Agency/ReleasedDE Ezekiel Ansah (currently unsigned) DE Kerry Hyder (Cowboys)WR Bruce Ellington (Patriots)G T.J. Lang (retiring)TE Luke Willson unsigned)S Glover Quin (unsigned)TE Levine Toilolo (unsigned) Will the Packers be able to land the top safety on this year’s market?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCSTShareTweetShareSharePackers projected to land free agent safety Earl Thomas by PFFJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsOver the past decade, Earl Thomas has been the NFL’s best free safety. Thomas took over that mantle from Ed Reed Jace Sternberger Green Bay Packer , who was unquestionably the holder of that title during the 2000s. Thomas, a first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2010, has recorded multiple interceptions in eight of his nine NFL seasons, is a three-time first-team All-Pro, and has been to six Pro Bowls. Simply put, the soon-to-be 30-year-old is as good as it gets. And this year, he will be on the free agent market.The Green Bay Packers have a gaping hole at free safety as they enter the 2019 offseason, with no legitimate long-term options once they traded Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to Washington in the middle of last year. The fit makes sense. The team has plenty of salary cap space. And for those reasons, Pro Football Focus predicts that Thomas will indeed sign in Green Bay when free agency begins.PFF’s Mike Renner made this prediction in an article wherein he provides guesses at where each of the top free agents on this year’s market will land. And although Thomas was the only player projected to Green Bay, if he signed it would tremendously change the trajectory of the team’s defense.In just four games last season, Thomas was on pace for one of his finest seasons. He had recorded three interceptions and five pass breakups before breaking a bone in his left leg in Arizona, landing him on injured reserve.Now Thomas is looking for what will probably be his last big contract, as he turns 30 years old in May. Thomas’ last deal with the Seahawks Jace Sternberger Jersey 2019 , signed before the 2014 season, was a four-year contract extension that paid him $40 million. Thomas earned every dollar of that deal, but reportedly wanted a new contract last offseason, only to see the Seahawks rebuff his request.Given Thomas’ age and recent injury concerns — he also finished the 2016 season on injured reserve with a broken leg — it’s possible that his value on the open market could be similar in terms of total dollars to that 2014 contract. Although the salary cap has risen over the past four years, Thomas also got older. However, when available he has still played at an elite level and both season-ending injuries were freak broken bones, not issues that suggest any chronic or ongoing problems.If Thomas would be willing to agree to a $10 million per year deal in Green Bay, general manager Brian Gutekunst should jump at that opportunity. Thomas would provide the Packers with not just a reliable safety, but one who is a true playmaker, who has an excellent mind, and who can be trusted to man the deep middle of the field. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine would love a player like that on his unit.