NFC North under-the-radar rookies

With training camp and preseason underway, unheralded rookies will make strong impressions and climb depth charts. Here are four under-the-radar rookies to watch in the NFC North.

Chicago Bears 

Terell Smith, cornerback (fifth round) | Smith entered camp behind second-round pick Tyrique Stevenson in the cornerback pecking order but has since closed some serious ground. The fastest (21.37 mph) player at this year's East-West Shrine Bowl is splitting reps with Stevenson and even taking snaps with the first team. Smith has emerged as a viable challenger for the No. 2 cornerback spot opposite Jaylon Johnson. 

The former Minnesota standout has used his size (six feet, 204 pounds) and speed (4.41 40-yard at NFL Combine) to climb the depth chart, impressing head coach Matt Eberflus, who said he is "really solid." 

Detroit Lions 

Brodric Martin, defensive tackle (third round) | The Lions have been searching for a stalwart at nose tackle for a while now, and they may have found their man in the former Western Kentucky standout. While still raw, Martin has been a force in camp, showing remarkable versatility for a six-foot, 330-pounder by getting after the quarterback, dropping into coverage and stuffing the run.

Furthermore, Martin's emergence has surprised even the Lions. General manager Brad Holmes admitted to reporters recently that the DT was figuring out the NFL game earlier than expected, adding, "He's a smart kid that's taking coaching and it's starting to come along." With a strong showing so early, the third-round pick is already in the driver's seat to start in the middle for Detroit come Week 1.

Green Bay Packers 

Colby Wooden, defensive end (fourth round) | Wooden enters his rookie season with a golden opportunity to carve a massive role along the defensive line. After taking first-team reps during June's mini-camp, the fourth-round pick has picked up where he left off at the start of training camp. A versatile and quick-footed player, the 6-foot-5, 284-pound Wooden has routinely disrupted the offense during practices.

Save for veteran Kenny Clark, the defensive line is relatively inexperienced, and following the loss of Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed to free agency, there will be plenty of snaps to go around in 2023. Head coach Matt LaFleur has told reporters, "We're going to have to count" on Wooden, and so far, the former Auburn standout looks ready for the challenge. 

Minnesota Vikings 

Ivan Pace Jr., linebacker (undrafted) | As a 2022 consensus All-American and American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year for Cincinnati, Pace recorded 137 tackles (12.5 for loss) and 10 sacks but went undrafted. However, the Vikings may have found themselves a steal on the open market. Perhaps overlooked due to his size (six-foot, 239 pounds), Pace has proven that's not an issue, playing well enough to find himself taking first-team reps during the Vikings' full-pad practices. 

Pace has caught the attention of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who dismissed worries about his frame while adding he was "excited to see him moving forward." Meanwhile, veteran safety Harrison Smith called Pace his "under-the-radar" player to watch.