The AFC North is the next stop on the draft roundup. The NFC North plays the AFC North for the first time since the 2013 season. Let’s take a look who the AFC North added in the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1 Pick 9: John Ross (WR) Washington
John Ross set the 40 time record at the combine. He has blazing speed despite his slight frame. He has some injury concerns (shoulder) but was highly productive for the Huskies. Teams will be worrying about AJ Green which will let Ross absolutely fly against one on one man coverage. If AJ Dalton has time to throw after losing Whitworth and Zeitler in free agency, watch out.
Round 2 Pick 48: Joe Mixon RB Oklahoma
Mixon has major off-field issues with domestic violence but the Bengals took a chance on his talent in Round 2. Mixon has very good size, speed and elusiveness. If Mixon can stay out of trouble, he may be a steal. Jeremy Hill has been on the decline and Mixon could pair well with Giovanni Bernard. The Bengals hope he packs a punch like Ray Rice did for the Ravens.
Round 3 Pick 73: Jordan Willis (DE) Kansas State
The Bengals needed to bolster their pass rush and they added a solid prospect in Round 3 with Willis. Willis is a little undersize and limited athletically but does have a good motor and various pass rush moves. He was productive for the Wildcats and could play rush OLB as well. Willis could grow into his 6’4 frame.
Round 4 Pick 116: Carl Lawson (DE) Auburn
The Bengals took another DE in a row in Round 4. Lawson may be a steal with a good motor and production for the Tigers. Lawson is 6’2 and 266 pounds with good strength on the edge with good explosion. Lawson has an injury history (ACL and hip) but could be a steal if he stays healthy. Lawson and Willis will battle for snaps behind Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap.
Round 4 Pick 128: Josh Malone (WR) Tennessee
Malone is another speedy WR selected by the Bengals in this draft. If Ross doesn’t work out, Malone can be a deep threat.
Round 4 Pick 138: Ryan Glasgow (DT) Michigan
The Bengals took a third defensive linemen prospect in the middle rounds. Ryan Glasgow was a high motor solid player for the Wolverines at defensive tackle. He is the brother of Lions guard/center Graham Glasgow.
Round 5 Pick 153: Jake Elliot (Kicker) Memphis
The Bengals selected a kicker pretty early. They have had struggles recently and hope Elliot fixes that issue once and for all. This is better than Tampa Bay taking a kicker in Round 2.
Round 5 Pick 176: JJ Dielman (Center) Utah
The Bengals lost Kevin Zeitler in free agency to the Browns. They didn’t address offensive line until Round 5 with versatile guard/center JJ Dielman.
Round 6 Pick 193: Jordan Evans (LB) Oklahoma
The Bengals cut Rey Maulaga and added to their depth by adding Evans in Round 6.
Round 6 Pick 2017 Brandon Wilson (RB) Houston
The Bengals added their second running back for the draft for pass catching RB depth behind Bernard.
Round 7 Mason Schreck (TE) Buffalo
DONKEY!!! He will slay the dragon and marry the princess Ogre or he will add to the Bengals tight end depth.
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 Pick 1: Myles Garrett (DE) Texas A&M
The Browns were the worst team in football last season and had the top pick in the draft. Cleveland added to their pass rush by adding stud pass rusher Myles Garrett. Garrett has great size, speed and explosion. He compares to Julius Peppers and should provide a consistent rush for Cleveland for many years.
Round 1 Pick 25: Jabrill Peppers (S) Michigan
The Browns traded down again this year and stockpiled more picks. They added safety and playmaker Jabrill Peppers. The Browns badly needed secondary help and Peppers is a day 1 starter. He can play in the box, play deep and should be excellent on special team returns.
Round 1 Pick 29 David Njoku (TE) Miami
The Browns traded back into Round 1 with the Packers and gave up a 4th round pick. Cleveland added speedy tight end David Njoku. He has great athleticism but isn’t much of a blocker and has drop issues. He can be a weapon in the Browns offense with some development.
Round 2 Pick 52: Deshone Kizer (QB) Notre Dame
Cleveland was starving for QBs. They traded for Brock Osweiler while netting a 2nd round pick. They used that pick to select their QB for the future. Kizer will battle with Cody Kessler and Osweiler to be the Browns QB of the future. Kizer was a playmaker for the Fighting Irish and has the arm and recognition skills to excel with some coaching.
Round 3 Pick 65: Larry Ogunjobi (DT) Charlotte
The Browns took a fast rising small school prospect at DT. Ogunjobi is raw but has a quick first step and plenty of size for the 3 tech position. The Browns have revamped their defensive line with Garrett and Ogunjobi this draft and Carl Nassib and Emmanuel Ogbah in the 2016 draft.
Round 4 Pick 126: Howard Wilson (CB) Houston
Houston is 6’1 but only 184 pounds. He has the size to bulk up but must keep his speed. Wilson was injured after the draft and may not play in 2017.
Round 5 Pick 160: Roderick Johnson (OT) Florida State
The Browns revamped their offensive line in free agency but still have a question at right tackle with Cameron Irving. Johnson surprisingly fell to Round 5 and could compete at right tackle or guard with good size and strength.
Round 5 Pick 185: Caleb Brantley (DT) Florida
Brantley had off field issues (violence, sexual assault) that were since cleared. He could have been a day 2 pick and the Browns added to their defensive line with another quick step DT in Brantley.
Round 7 Pick 224: Zane Gonzalez (K) Arizona State
Sun Devil Kicking. The Browns may have added a kicker for the long term. He has good leg and accuracy.
Round 7 Pick 252: Matt Dayes (RB) NC State
Dayes is only 5’9 and 205 pounds but is shifty with some burst. He will compete for depth for the Browns.
Baltimore Ravens
Round 1 Pick 16: Marlon Humphrey (CB) Alabama
The Ravens were getting old in the secondary with Ladarius Webb moving to safety and Jimmy Smith. They added Brandon Carr in free agency and continued their secondary overhaul by selecting Marlon Humphrey in Round 1. Humphrey has good size at 6’0 and 197 pounds and plenty of experience for a good Alabama team. Humphrey can press and has good awareness but he needs to work on his footwork and long speed.
Round 2 Pick 47: Tyus Bowser (OLB) Houston
The Ravens are getting older at OLB with Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. Ozzie Newsome continued the defensive overhaul by selected extremely athletic Bowser. Bowser was very productive rusher for Houston and can cover well with great speed. This could be a steal of a pick by Newsome.
Round 3 Pick 74: Chris Wormley (DE/DT) Michigan
Wormley is a solid day 2 pick and should replace Timmy Jernigan (traded to Eagles). Wormley can hold the point of attack with good power and play the 3-4 two gap Ravens scheme while still providing some pass rush.
Round 3 Pick 78: Tim Williams (OLB) Alabama
Newsome got another steal at OLB with Williams in Round 3. The defensive overhaul was completed as Williams can be a great situational pass rusher. Williams has some off field baggage but fits perfectly in the Ravens scheme.
Round 4 Pick 122: Nico Siragusa (OG) San Diego State
The Ravens lost Ricky Wagner and Kelechi Osemele in back to back offseasons. They add to their guards with massive Nico Siragusa. Sirgagus is 6’4 and 319 pounds with plenty of bulk to holes the point of attack and maul in run blocking.
Round 5 Pick 159: Jermaine Eluemunor (OG) Texas A&M
Newsome was serious about adding guard depth and took a second guard in a row. He is a developmental guard with some ability to play tackle.
Round 6 Pick 186: Chuck Clark (DB) Virginia Tech
Clark should add to special teams but has good size at 6’0 and 208 pounds. He can tackle and may move to safety for the Ravens.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 Pick 30: TJ Watt (OLB) Wisconsin
The Steelers lost Jarvis Jones in free agency and refreshed the talent by adding Watt. Watt isn’t as talented as his brother but has good athleticism and motor to get to the QB. Harrison, Watt and Dupree should provide a nice pass rush for the Steelers.
Round 2 Pick 62: Ju Ju Smith Schuster (WR) USC
No not that Ju Ju. Smith Schuster was a productive receiver for USC with good size and speed. The Steelers lost speedy Markus Wheaton in free agency to the Bears and Sammie Coates hasn’t been dependable. Martavis Bryant returns from suspension but Smith Shuster will provide some depth as 4th or 5th WR while he develops his route running.
Round 3 Pick 94: Cameron Sutton (CB) Tennessee
Sutton is 5’11 and 188 pounds and will battle for the nickel job for the Steelers. He is good in man coverage with plenty of pass breakups but needs work on foot work and bulking up.
Round 3 Pick 105: James Conner (RB) Pittsburgh
Conner is a bruising back from the University of Pittsburgh. He is highly productive and a great leader. He survived cancer and came back and excelled for the Panthers. Now he stays in Pittsburgh and is a great backup to Leveon Bell.
Round 4 Pick 135: Joshua Dobb (QB) Tennessee
Dobbs is a highly intelligent QB with a decent arm. The Steelers have been underwhelmed by backup Landry Jones and starter Ben Roethlisberger has been contemplating retirement. Dobbs has a chance to develop as a starter in the right system.
Round 5 Pick 135: Brian Allen (DB) Utah
Allen is 6’3 and 215 pounds. Allen can develop at CB or safety and provide depth in the secondary.
Round 6 Pick 213: Colin Holba (Long Snapper) Louisville
Bob Quinn isn’t the only GM that takes long snappers in the 6th round.
Round 7 Pick 248: Keion Adams (LB) Western Michigan
Adams will provide depth and has a chance on special teams.
Summary
The Browns had a ton of picks with three first round picks. They needed talent badly and got some major upgrades and possibly a future QB. Ogunjobi and Brantley could steals on the defensive line for Cleveland as well. The Ravens revamped their old defense by adding a CB, a DE and two OLBs . Baltimore took some early day 3 guards as well. The Bengals added a lot of speed at WR with Ross and Malone and took a flier on Joe Mixon at running back. The Bengals may have gotten two steals at DE with Willis and Lawson. The Steelers replenished their OLB, WR and RB depth, added a nickel CB and took a flier on a smart backup QB. The AFC North improved with four good drafts.