by AFC North
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, G, Mississippi State
4 (143). Ben Bredeson, G, Michigan
5 (170). Broderick Washington Jr., DT, Texas Tech
6 (201). James Proche, WR, Southern Methodist
7 (219). Geno Stone, S, Iowa
Not only did the Ravens win the AFC North last season, but they just won the entire NFL Draft. The organization took the best available over the course of the three days and totally nailed the selections.
Since the loss of C.J. Mosley, the team has needed a star inside linebacker. Patrick Queen getting to 28 was a dream for Baltimore. Queen has a ton of speed and will be a starting linebacker for a long time. After filling the biggest need on defense, stock piling talent was extremely beneficial. Justin Madubuike will add nice depth as a defensive end in the 3-4 base defense and Broderick Washington Jr. was also selected to add depth on the line.
The Ravens capitalized on another Cleveland Browns mistake. This time it came in the third round of the draft. The Browns missed on Malik Harrison and one pick later, the Ravens struck. Harrison is a hard-hitter and can blow up running backs and quarterbacks. His athleticism means he can either play inside linebacker or even get a shot as an outside linebacker.
The last addition to the defense was safety Geno Stone. I had him as a fourth-round selection, so grabbing him in the seventh was a steal. Stone is a quality safety and will be a factor in the NFL for quite a while.
Looking at the offense, it is important to start with J.K. Dobbins. The offensive system at Ohio State with Justin Fields at quarterback has some close similarities to the current system for the Ravens. Dobbins excelled in the backfield with a mobile QB and he will likely do the same in Baltimore. He will have a chance to compete for the starting job immediately. At minimum he will be the backup to Mark Ingram in a nasty one-two punch.
The Ravens also added some more weapons at wide receiver with Devin Duvernay and James Proche. Both are productive wide receivers and add value. The addition of Tyre Phillips and Ben Bredeson sure up the inside of the offensive line.
Not only was this an amazing draft, but don’t forget that the team added Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe to the defense in the offseason.
Draft Grade: A+
Way Too Early Prediction: 15-1
Cleveland Browns
1 (10). Jedrick Wills Jr., T, Alabama
2 (44). Grant Delpit, S, 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 addressed all of their needs which is great, but the draft was not perfect. Due to past drafts, I was concerned that the team would pass up on a tackle and go for another position. They made the right move and selected Wills at ten. Wills was the best lineman on Alabama’s team and only gave up one sack in his last season with the Tide. He protected Tua’s blindside and now he can protect Baker’s with the move to left tackle. Adding the athletic Nick Harris as a backup center who can compete at right guard was also a wise move.
The Browns already are loaded with offensive weapons and still they added some more. Harrison Bryant was the best pass catching tight end in this draft and could quickly challenge David Njoku for the second tight end spot. Drafting Donovan Peoples-Jones in the sixth round greatly increased my grade for the team. In my mock draft 2.0, I believed the Browns would select him in the third round but getting him in the sixth is such a steal. Peoples-Jones will be a better pro than college player because the Michigan quarterbacks held him back. Not only will he become a productive wide receiver, but the Browns finally have a punt and kick returner again.
The defense had some spots to fill but this is where I have some issues. The secondary had lots of tackling issues last season, especially Greedy Williams. Adding a safety who is a consistent tackler is important. The Browns selected Grant Delpit, a talented corner with nice coverage skills and aggressiveness. His issue is tackling because he overcommits and takes some bad angles. The very next pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Antoine Winfield Jr. who will have a better NFL career in my opinion. Delpit is a good pick but the team missed on a great one.
Selecting Jordan Elliott provides some much-needed depth at defensive tackle. He is also a bit of an insurance policy in case Larry Ogunjobi leaves after this season. Elliott has all of the intangibles to be a really nice DT, but he still has a lot to clean up with his game.
Speaking of cleaning up someone’s game… Jacob Phillips. The worst pick for the Browns this draft. The team needs an inside linebacker to compliment Mack Wilson. Ideally the other linebacker should be aggressive against the run. Malik Harrison was available and so were some other tough linebackers like Shaquille Quarterman or even the local product, Joe Bachie. Phillips is a project. He is a fine linebacker but his film is not that impressive. He disappears and does not pop off the screen like most star linebackers. On LSU’s talented defense last year, he might have been the worst starter. The Browns will be asking a lot of him to produce early.
Draft Grade: B+
Way Too Early Prediction: 9-7
Pittsburgh Steelers
2 (49). Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
3 (102). Alex Highsmith, LB, Charlotte
4 (124). Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Maryland
4 (135). Kevin Dotson, G, Louisiana
6 (198). Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland
7 (232). Carlos Davis, DT, Nebraska
The Steelers usually have solid drafts and they could have used one to reboot the roster. This one does not move the needle.
The team needed another wide receiver and addressed that need with Chase Claypool. Claypool had a great combine that moved his draft stock up, but I still question his in-game explosiveness and ability to separate. He is a massive wide receiver and looks a bit like a tight end lined up outside. He will be a red zone threat, but I question if he can be anything more than that.
Selecting Anthony McFarland Jr. was extremely wise. McFarland is a great change of pace running back and could be best used on third downs. He can offer James Connor some much needed assistance in the run game. If defenses let McFarland bounce to the outside, then they are in trouble.
The third-round pick of Alex Highsmith is the best selection of their entire draft. Highsmith is an explosive pass rusher who terrorized even Clemson’s offensive line. Becoming a standup outside linebacker in a 3-4 base defense will be ideal for his size and ability. If Highsmith puts on a show in camp, he could be starting opposite T.J. Watt soon. Bud Dupree has some competition.
The final three selections for the team addressed needs with moderate talent. Brooks was the best of those selections. The physical safety is great at playing down in the box. He is a nice tackler, but his coverage skills could still be improved. Dotson is a good guard, yet I am not confident he can hold up against the tough defensive lines of the AFC North. Lastly, Davis is just depth and might never see the field.
Draft Grade: C-
Way Too Early Prediction: 8-8
Cincinnati Bengals
1 (1). Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2 (33). Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
3 (65). Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
4 (107). Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
5 (147). Khalid Kareem, DE, Notre Dame
6 (180). Hakeem Adeniji, T, Kansas
7 (215). Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue
The Bengals had the most obvious selection of the entire draft at number one. It was going to be Joe Burrow all the way and everyone knew it. The Bengals now have their franchise quarterback and look to start moving in the right direction. Despite having an atrocious 2019 season, there are some bright spots on the roster like running back Joe Mixon.
The Bengals second selection went towards a weapon at wide receiver. The team has A.J. Green but he is a giant question mark and unreliable when it comes to being available come game day. Tyler Boyd has served as the number one receiver as of late with Auden Tate quickly improving as well. Adding Tee Higgins brings size, nice hands and a good target for Burrow. The only other offensive piece came in the sixth round with Hakeem Adeniji. He will not be protecting Burrow immediately, but he has some potential to work with for the future.
The Bengals put a lot of focus on the front seven, specifically the linebackers. Logan Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gaither and Markus Bailey will bring plenty of competition to the position group. Wilson and Davis-Gaither are athletic linebackers while Bailey brings a toughness. Khalid Kareem was added as depth to a pretty strong defensive line. Kareem is a slower defensive end and due to the lack of explosiveness, probably won’t see much time in 2020.
Draft Grade: B-
