AFC North Team Grades
By: Alex Khvatov
Baltimore Ravens
Oklahoma WR Marquise Brown was the first receiver off the board. The Ravens selected him with the 25th overall pick. He has elite speed and is a terrific deep threat. He is also very dangerous after the catch and can take it to the house anytime he touches the ball. Third round edge rusher Jaylon Ferguson (LA Tech) showed a knack for getting after the QB (45 sacks – NCAA record) during his career. He is an average athlete who doesn’t have a quick first step. However, he has good size, long arms, uses an effective bull rush and active hands. They took a chance on WR Miles Boykin (Notre Dame) in the third round who tested off the charts at the Combine. Fourth round pick RB Justice Hill (Oklahoma State) shows great speed and is dangerous in the open field. He is also a very good receiver out of the backfield. DL Daylon Mack (Texas A&M) was a good value pick in the fifth round.
Overall Grade B
Cleveland Browns
The Browns didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft due to the OBJ trade. But they traded up a few spots in the second round in order to select LSU CB Greedy Williams. He has great speed with very good ball skills. He is an athletic CB with quick feet. Third rounder LB Sione Takitaki (BYU) had a great senior year, but was a reach at this spot. LB Mack Wilson (Alabama) was a fantastic pick in the fifth round. He fell in the draft due to character concerns, but he is an athletic LB with very good speed. He is a smart player who displays fluid hips in coverage.
Overall Grade B-
Cincinnati Bengals
OL Jonah Williams (Alabama) was an outstanding selection at No.11. He is a terrific run blocker. He is a technician who sustains his blocks very well in the run game. He has good feet, quickness and movement skills. He was a top five player on our board. He should start at RT for the Bengals. Second rounder TE Drew Sample (Washington) is a good blocker, but this was a major reach. The Bengals needed to address the LB position in the draft. NC State LB Germaine Pratt was a third-round selection. He is an athletic backer with sideline-to-sideline speed who is a good run defender. Fourth rounder Ryan Finley (NC State) should develop into an excellent backup QB, but I don’t believe that he will ever become a starter in this league. RB Trayveon Williams (Texas A&M) was a great pick in the sixth round. The best day three selection for the Bengals. He should develop into a good change-of-pace back. He is a good receiver out of the backfield and excels in pass protection.
Overall Grade B-
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers draft was disappointing. They grabbed an instant starter in ILB Devin Bush from Michigan in the first round after they traded up. He is an athletic LB with sideline-to-sideline speed. He is also an excellent blitzing LB. Third round pick CB Justin Layne (Michigan State) offers some upside. Fifth rounder DL Isaiah Buggs (Alabama) will be a good rotational player. The rest of the picks were underwhelming.
Overall Grade C
