Every day for the following week and a half we will be releasing Draft grades for every division in the NFL. Today we begin at the very top: The AFC North. Terry Tam gives us his take on these picks and whether they fit or not:
Baltimore Ravens
Needs: LB, OL, WR
Heading into the draft the Ravens knew that with 1-2 pieces, they can be a contender. I thought that drafting Patrick Queen was the best choice At 28 in the first, he was the best player available and in my opinion the best LB in the draft. They also had LB Malik Harrison from Ohio State late in the 3rd. Replacing Marshal Yanda was a priority and they addressed that need in the 3rd and 4th rounds drafting G Tyler Phillips of Mississippi State and Ben Bredeson from Michigan. Adding depth with James Proche at WR is great but gettng Texas WR Devin Duvernay in the 3rd round was a steal.
Grade: A
Cleveland Browns
Needs: OL, LB, DL
It’s very obvious what first year HC Kevin Stefanski and newly appointed GM Andrew Berry were focusing on in the offseason. They added Jack Conklin to Right Tackle and drafted LT Jedrick Willis Jr from Alabama with the 10th pick in the draft. They added some really strong defensive pieces like S Grant Delpit in the 2nd from LSU (I had him as the 2nd best S in draft behind Xavier Mckinney) and DT Jordan Elliott of Missouri in the 3rd round. I liked their 6th round choice of the 6’2 212lbs receiver from Michigan Donovan Peoples-Jones. He can be a nice compliment to an already top heavy receiver core.
Grade: B–
Cincinnati Bengals
Needs: QB, WR, TE, OL
G
I have nothing against Joe Burrow, the native of Ohio stays in his home state to take over a struggling franchise. Joe Burrow was the 1st overall pick this year and he earned that right. His success will go nowhere if the Bengals don’t add the pieces. I love their first three picks. WR Tee Higgins from Clemson was chosen in the 2nd and LB from Wyoming Logan Wilson was taken in the 3rd. Wilson was one of my favourite prospects in the draft because he’s an old school tough LB that can slide in and replace Schobert (look at his highlights above and you’ll understand).
Grade: A
Pittsburgh Steelers
Needs: OL, WR, DL
G
They would’ve been lower if they messed up their first pick. The Steelers needed some weapons to assist Juju. Tough task seeing as how they only had one pick in the top 100. The Steelers chose canadian WR from Notre Dame Chase Claypool. He’s the ultimate package, big boy who can block and sub 4.5 speed. The Steelers addressed their DL needs drafting Carlos Davis in the 7th round from Nebraska and Alex Highsmith out of Charlotte in the 3rd round.
Grade: B
Tomorrow’s Article will feature Draft Grades for the NFC North. Stay Tuned #hotsaucersports