Out of the entire three-day draft, the AFC North became one of the most intriguing to watch unfold. An always tough division became even stronger with top talent coming in with every pick.
In the post-draft wasteland, reports have come out surrounding some of the drama that ensued on Thursday night. According to ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi, the Cleveland Browns selected Teddy Bridgewater at twenty-second overall but the draft card didn’t make it until there were ten seconds left on the clock and due to pressure from owner Jimmy Haslam the draft card when handed in read Johnny Manziel.
True or not, this is why the draft is amazing. So, let’s check the draft grades for the AFC North and see who made out best.
Baltimore Ravens
1.) C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
2.) Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
3.) Terrence Brooks, S, Florida St.
3.) Crockett Gilmore, TE, Colorado St.
4.) Brent Urban, DT, Virginia
4.) Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Coastal Carolina
5.) John Urschel, OG, Penn St.
6.) Keith Wenning, QB, Ball St.
7.) Mike Campanaro, WR, Wake Forest
Grade: B+
There are two words that tell you why the Ravens have become the Ravens: Ozzie. Newsome. The GM turned in another stellar draft class. Mosley will start Day One and is a perfect fit for their 3-4 system. Same can be said for Jernigan and Urban. Both will contribute well in their defensive line rotation and injects some youth into the position. After a stunning and bizarre failure in the run game last year, the Ravens looked to aid that with Taliaferro and Urschel. Needless to say Newsome landed the Ravens’ the best draft grade in the division.
Sleeper: Crockett Gilmore
A stellar pick. With Dallas Clark and Ed Dickson out, depth was a need. Gilmore is great prospect with outstanding size (6’6″, 253lbs). Gilmore started off as a defensive end before switching to tight end. A talented pass catcher, his blocking has also improved steadily. Could be a gem.
Cincinnati Bengals
1.) Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.
2.) Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
3.) Will Clarke, DE, West Virginia
4.) Russell Bodine, C, North Carolina
5.) AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama
6.) Marquis Flower, OLB, Arizona
7.) James Wright, WR, LSU
7.) Lavelle Westbrooks, CB, Georgia Southern
Grade: B-
The Bengals could have had the best draft grade, had they not addressed linebacker until the sixth-round. Dennard in the first-round was a match made in heaven. The Thorpe Award winner in 2013, he can cover well and isn’t afraid to mix it up in run support. A perfect fit for the Bengals physical style. Hill, became the second running back picked in the second-round in two years. That could spell the end for vet BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Clarke, was a strong addition to the team’s best unit. McCarron is a steal in the 5th Round and puts pressure on Andy Dalton.
Sleeper: Russell Bodine
The Bengals moved up in the draft to select Bodine. He was an honorable mention All-ACC in 2013, his second season as a full time starter. He is capable of playing both guard positions but with veteran Kyle Cook not having been brought back, Bodine could very well be a Day One starter.
Cleveland Browns
1.) Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St.
1.) Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2.) Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada
3.) Christian Kirksey, OLB, Iowa
3.) Terrance West, RB, Towson
4.) Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood
Grade: C+
GM Ray Farmer did an outstanding job in his first year running the team. Farmer played the draft and played it well, maneuvering in almost every round. Gilbert and Desir are stellar cornerbacks who give the team a bright future at the position, even more so if they can keep star Joe Haden who is entering a contract year. Manziel, despite all the hype, doesn’t seem to have the game to translate to the NFL. Bitonio is a versatile player, who was a starter since his sophomore year. The Browns only manage a C+ draft grade though, due to failing to add a much needed receiver.
Sleeper: Terrance West
The Browns had virtually no running back last season. They added Brandon Tate in free agency and now add West via draft. West, left Towson after his junior season, totaling 4,854 yards and 84 touchdowns in his time there. Those numbers speak for themselves.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1.) Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio St.
2.) Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame
3.) Dri Archer, OW, Kent St.
4.) Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson
5.) Shaq Richardson, CB, Arizona
5.) Wesley Johnson, OT, Vanderbilt
6.) Jordan Zumwalt, ILB, UCLA
6.) Daniel McCullers, DT, Tennessee
7.) Rob Blanchflower, TE, UMass
Grade: B-
Shazier and Tuitt are back-to-back slam dunks. Shazier has a nonstop motor and can play inside or outside. Tuitt is an ideal 5-technique in the Steelers 3-4 defense. Both could start as rookies. Archer is a question mark at third, with cornerback a more pressing need. If you’re confused by the OW, Archer is an offensive weapon, ie. Dexter McCluster (1/2 running back, 1/2 wide receiver). Sixth-rounders Zumwalt and McCullers were great value picks. Both address serious needs and could develop into quality rotation players in a year or two.
Sleeper: Martavis Bryant
A gigantic target at 6’4″, 211lbs, Bryant ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine. A bit of a one year wonder, Bryant’s only season as a starter was last season but he did rack up 828 yards and seven touchdowns. The Steelers added vets Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey in free agency, so there is no pressure on Bryant to contribute right away.
