AFC North Draft Grades

(Rd. 3, Pick 68) Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State

(Rd. 3, Pick 78) Alex Wright, Edge, UAB

(Rd. 3, Pick 99) David Bell, WR, Purdue

(Rd. 4, Pick 108) Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma

(Rd. 4, Pick 124) Cade York, K, LSU

(Rd. 5, Pick 156) Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati 

(Rd. 6, Pick 202) Mike Woods, WR, Oklahoma

(Rd. 7, Pick 223) Isaiah Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma

(Rd. 7, Pick 246) Dawson Deaton, C, Texas Tech

Grade: B-

The Cleveland Browns attacked the draft in “win now” mode.

Cleveland did not have a pick until the third round due to the Huston Texans. They were out of a first-round pick for the Deshaun Watson trade and then traded the 44th pick to the Texans in return for the 68th, 108th, and 124th picks. 

With their first pick in the draft, they made a surprising selection in Martin Emerson, which made sense shortly after due to Troy Hill’s departure. He brings a physical level to the cornerback position, something the Browns could use more of. 

The pick of Alex Wright was a bit confusing as well. He is a fantastic raw athlete that understands his role in the run game. But overall, technique and discipline need to see development if he wants an important role along the line. 

David Bell was one of my favorite picks by the Cleveland Browns. This was the most similar guy in the draft to former Cleveland receiver Jarvis Landry. He will provide strong route-running and high volumes of catches in the underneath game. 

Cade York was one of the most underrated picks for any team in the NFL this draft. The AFC North has 3 elite kickers, and Cleveland is the oddball out. York is known for his ability to make the big kicks the Browns have struggled with so mightily. 

Perrion Winfrey was an absolute steal in the fourth round. He is one of the best interior-run defenders in the entire class. If Brown’s defense can slow down the interior run this season, that defense could be one of the best in recent history. 

Baltimore Ravens 

(Rd. 1, Pick 14) Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

(Rd. 1, Pick 25) Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

(Rd. 2, Pick 45) David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan

(Rd. 3, Pick 76) Travis Jones, DT, Uconn

(Rd. 4, Pick 110) Daniel Faalele, Tackle, Minnesota

(Rd. 4, Pick 119) Jayln Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama

(Rd. 4, Pick 128) Charlie Kolar, TE, Iowa State

(Rd. 4, Pick 130) Jordan Stout, P, Penn State

(Rd. 4, Pick 139) Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina 

(Rd. 4, Pick 141) Damarion Williams, CB, Houston 

(Rd. 6, Pick 196) Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri 

Grade: A

The Ravens could have had far and away the best draft in 2022, but they completely ignored the number one need. 

They demolished the first round. Kyle Hamilton was the consensus number one safety, and that secondary needs some big-time help. Baltimore as well acquired the consensus number one center in this class in Linderbaum. The Ravens got two instant difference makers on day one. 

One of the biggest steals of the draft was David Ojabo, who was selected with the 45th overall pick, and prior to his Achilles tear, he was regarded as a top 20 pick in this draft. Even if he has to sit out a year, the Ravens got one of the best pass rushers in all of the class in the second round. 

The addition of Travis Jones was another steal in the third round. He is a highly technical defensive tackle and is the second-best interior-run defender in this class. Let’s not forget to mention the nearly 400-pound run blocking machine they drafted in the 4th round.

In the back half of the draft, they were all in on depth pieces. They bolstered their tight end depth as well as the secondary. 

The players selected were pretty much all home runs, but the lack of attention to the wide receiver core is going to hurt. After trading away ”Hollywood” Brown and refusing to draft another receiver, the Ravens have arguably the worst receiving room in the AFC.

Pittsburgh Steelers

(Rd. 1, Pick 20) Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt

(Rd. 2, Pick 52) George Pickens, WR, Georgia

(Rd. 3, Pick 84) Demarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M

(Rd. 4, Pick 138) Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis

(Rd. 6, Pick 208) Connor Heyward TE/ FB, Michigan State

(Rd. 7, Pick 225) Mark Robinson, LB, Ole Miss

(Rd. 7, Pick 241) Chris Oladokun, QB, South Dakota State

Grade: B

The Steelers pulled the trigger on their QB, but I don’t know if they made the right choice? 

Pittsburgh quickly made a move to find their franchise quarterback of the future after Ben Rothlesburger’s retirement. This QB class was one of the least impressive in recent memory; therefore, only time will tell if pulling the trigger on Pickett was the right way to go. 

In rounds 2 and 4, the Steelers made sure their young quarterback would have as many reliable targets as possible. The addition of George Pickens and Calvin Austin III brought the Steelers received core from solid to incredibly versatile. 

The addition of Demarvin Leal was an important one for this franchise. With Stephon Tuitt likely gone after this season, they will look to him as a promising replacement. As for Day Three, Mark Robinson is also a very athletic linebacker with a high upside that could see legitimate playing time his rookie year. 

Cincinnati Bengals 

(Rd. 1, Pick 31) Daxton Hill, S, Michigan 

(Rd. 2, Pick 60) Cam Taylor-Britt, S, Nebraska

(Rd. 3, Pick 95) Zachary Carter, DT, Florida

(Rd. 4, Pick 136) Cordell Volson, OL, North Dakota State

(Rd. 5, Pick 166) Tycen Anderson, S, Toledo

(Rd. 7, Pick 252) Jeffrey Gunter, Edge, Coastal Carolina 

Grade: B-

Cincinnati is all about defensive versatility next season, and this draft proved it. 

It’s not often you see a team that currently has one of the better safeties in the game go and draft 3 more with their first 5 picks. That’s exactly what Cincinnati did, and it just might work. Daxton Hill can be plugged anywhere on the defensive side of the ball and be a difference-maker. Meanwhile, Taylor-Britt has corner experience and can be a reliable man in coverage. Tycen Anderson brings excellent size, length, and speed to be an effective Nickelback, and with these picks, it has become clear that this is likely Jessie Bates’s last season with the team.

Cincinnati also lost some pieces on the defensive line, such as Larry Ogunjobi. Zachary Carter is likely his rotational replacement and hopefully will be an upgrade due to his ability to pass rush and stop the run.

It was quite a surprise to see them not pick up a single tight end after losing the talented C.J. Uzomah. The room lacks top-tier talent, but Hurst is serviceable for a season.