AFC North Grades
Baltimore Ravens
1-28 Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
2-55 J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
3-71 Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
3-92 Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
3-98 Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
3-106 Tyre Phillips, OG, Mississippi State
4-143 Ben Bredson, G, Michigan
5-170 Broderick Washington Jr., DT, Texas Tech
6-201 James Proche, WR, SMU
7-219 Geno Stone, S, Iowa
The Ravens had a very good draft. Patrick Queen gives them a replacement for CJ Mosley in the middle. The Ravens then got the second best back in the draft with J.K. Dobbins. He will be the feature back along with Mark Ingram. I think they might have missed with Justin Madubuike, but they should recover with other picks. Devin Duvernay was a Senior Bowl player who can help in the slot. Malik Harrison adds some depth to the inside linebacker position. Tyre Phillips was on that LSU offensive line that had a perfect season. Ben Bredeson is one of their better picks as a nice underrated guard. James Proche was a steal in the sixth round and Geno Stone is well regarded for a seventh-round pick.
Grade: A-
Cincinnati Bengals
1-1 Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2-33 Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
3-65 Logan Wilson, ILB, Wyoming
4-107 Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
5-147 Khalid Kareem, DE, Notre Dame
6-180 Hakeem Adeniji, G, Kansas
7-215 Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue
The Bengals had a successful draft because they got a franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow. His pinpoint accuracy and ability to win big games will serve him well as long as the Bengals can build a team around him. Tee Higgins was a good value pick in the beginning of the second-round. His college production makes him a viable #3 behind AJ Green and Tajh Boyd. Logan Wilson is a viable third-round pick who performed well at the combine. Akeem Davis-Gather gives the Bengals a good cover linebacker that can take over for Germaine Pratt eventually. Hakeem Adeniji is a lineman from the Senior Bowl who I think is a better tackle, but will probably be converted to a guard.
Grade: B+
Cleveland Browns
1-10 Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama
2-44 Grant Delpit, SS, LSU
3-88 Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
3-97 Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU
4-115 Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
5-160 Nick Harris, C, Washington
6-187 Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
The Browns also had a successful draft. They added Jedrick Wills Jr. with the tenth pick who is the best offensive lineman in this draft. He will be charged with protecting Baker Mayfield’s blind side. Grant Delpit is a nice pick in the second-round. I know there were some questions about his tackling, but he was playing hurt and when healthy is the best safety in this draft. I’m not a fan of the Jordan Elliott pick as he has technique issues and is not a very good run defender for his size. Jacob Phillips was another miss in the third-round as he is not a great run defender and can only cover in zone. The Browns had some nice Day three picks in Harrison Bryant and Nick Harris. Harrison Bryant is the best two-way tight end in this draft and Nick Harris is a very solid and underrated center.
Grade B-
Pittsburgh Steelers
2-49 Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
3-102 Alex Highsmith, OLB, Charlotte
4-124 Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Maryland
4-135 Kevin Dotson, OG, Louisiana
6-198 Antoine Brooks Jr., FS, Maryland
7-232 Carlos Davis, DT, Nebraska
The Steelers had a poor draft in my opinion. They took a project in Chase Claypool whose real value is as a pure athlete. The Steelers could coach him into being a good receiver, but to start, he will be a special teams’ player. Alex Highsmith was probably the best pick of the draft. He is a speed rusher with a quick first step and good instincts against the run. Anthony McFarland was a questionable move as the Steelers have plenty of depth at running back and don’t need a scat back with injury concerns. Kevin Dotson was a good pick. He brings some punch to the run game and can pass protect from the interior. Antoine Brooks is an interesting pick. I like his pass defense, but don’t love his run defense. He will have to be used situationally in the dime to get on the field. Carlos Davis is a raw athlete that will have to show some improvement to make the team.
Grade: C-
