The 2012 NFL Draft is nearly upon us, and this edition is much clearer than last year, at least in terms of team needs, because free agency has already taken place. Here on the staff blog, I’m breaking down each team’s top needs and fantasy outlook for the draft, going division by division. Today we head to the NFC North, and, if you missed them, check out the AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, AFC West, and NFC East. Got a player you want your team to target? Let me know in the comments.

Also, be sure to take a look at our massive 2012 Pre-Draft Rookie Report, which takes an in-depth look at all the top fantasy prospects.

Chicago Bears

Picks: 19, 50, 79, 111, 150, 184, 220

Top Needs:

1. Offensive Tackle – The Bears addressed the offensive line in the 1st round of last year’s draft by taking Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi, but this unit remains a big issue. Carimi started just two games and had knee surgery, while starting LT J’Marcus Webb has struggled in pass protection. The Bears will have to think hard about drafting someone like Ohio State’s Mike Adams or Stanford’s Jonathan Martin in the 1st round. Yes, [...]

This past Sunday, Matt Camp and I spent a lot of time talking AFC North, with some Packers thrown in. We got a lot of interesting tidbits, so naturally, Sirius Business is back. Will T.O. end up in Cincy? Even if not, the Bengals’ interest in him is telling:

Joe Reedy covers the Bengals for the Cincinnati Enquirer (@joereedy on Twitter):

Reedy raised an interesting point with the Terrell Owens situation. If Antonio Bryant is actually healthy (his knee looks severely questionable at this point), who becomes the #3 receiver if T.O. is signed? You’re paying Bryant like a #2, and Owens isn’t going to be comfortable playing third fiddle (hell, do we know if he can he even play second fiddle?). This is already a crowded WR position. Rookie Jordan Shipley and Andre Caldwell will be battling it out for the slot role, Dezmon Briscoe is a talented rookie, and don’t forget that the Bengals signed Matt Jones early in the off-season. Reedy’s point was this: the Bengals have enough talented young guys who won’t clear waivers if they choose to sign Owens and go with three big names at the WR position.

T.Ochocinco? It may happen.

The concerns with Bryant’s knee [...]