NFL Draft 2019: AFC North Draft Recap

Here are my AFC North grades for 2019 NFL Draft for the following teams: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens got tons of speed to their offense through the draft as their defense took a hit as a few veterans left in free agency. The Browns made a big trade prior to free agency and added some nice pieces on defense through the draft as their offensive coordinator last year is now the full-time head coach. The Bengals hired a new head coach as they are sticking with their veteran quarterback and look to run the ball moving forward. The Steelers lost star players on offense in the offseason but made some key acquisitions on defense through the draft that filled some big holes. With that said, here is what I thought of each team’s draft in the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens– 8 Selections

Best Pick, Worst Pick: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma; Iman Marshall, CB, USC

Overall, I am a big fan of DeCosta’s first draft as Raven’s general manager. He was definitely sending a message as he got guys to surround Lamar Jackson as they bring the element of speed. Marquise Brown can be a mismatch wherever he lines up with his elite burst and Justice Hill is the home run hitter the Baltimore Ravens need in their backfield with their power backs.

Miles Boykin has the underrated speed for a big possession receiver as they even got a fast backup quarterback in Trace McSorley that could be a Taysom Hill type player. Boykin can complement Brown well with his size as McSorley fits what the Ravens like to do as a versatile potential offensive and defensive player, along with special teams.

Ben Powers gives them some competition and a potential starter at left guard as he is an upgrade. Jaylon Ferguson is a productive pass rusher that fits the mold of what they like at edge. A veteran pass rusher is also a position I could see them addressing later on before the season.

Both Iman Marshall and Daylon Mack are depth selections as they are loaded at cornerback and the interior of the defensive line. That said, the Marshall pick was slightly redundant if they plan on keeping more than 5 cornerbacks and Mack is more depth at nose tackle than defensive end.

Also not addressing inside linebacker in the draft was a curious decision as Patrick Onwusaor and Kenny Young are the starters, which are not bad, but I can see them getting a veteran or keeping a UDFA on the roster to get depth.

Cavemen Rating:

Cincinnati Bengals– 10 Selections

Best Pick, Worst Pick: Jonah Williams, T, Alabama; Drew Sample, TE, Washington

Even though I do not agree with moving forward with Andy Dalton, a new head coach could turn his career around and with their emphasis on running the ball, I would help him out and make the Bengals offense more balanced. They drafted someone that has a similar play style in Ryan Finley, which is a good and a bad thing depending on if they can develop him.

One pick that will help them on the offensive line is Jonah Williams, and if he can stick at tackle or guard, he could be an all-pro early in his career. Even though Drew Sample was a questionable pick with the other tight ends on the board, he is an excellent run blocker. But run blocking at the tight end does not justify that high of a selection.

Renell Wren will be a good building block player that could be good next to Geno Atkins. Michael Jordan gives them flexibility at the center or guard position on the offensive line and Jordan Brown gives them some needed depth at cornerback.

The Cincinnati Bengals took two running backs behind Joe Mixon in Rodney Anderson (injury risk but potential flier) and Trayveon Williams as they cut Mark Walton earlier in the offseason.

Taking two running backs may be redundant also but I wished they attacked linebacker earlier in the draft. Germaine Pratt should start and Deshaun Davis is likely a depth linebacker but they may struggle early on.

Cavemen Rating:

Cleveland Browns– 7 Selections

Best Pick, Worst Pick: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama; Austin Seibert, K, Oklahoma

The Cleveland Browns made a huge trade prior to the offseason to get Odell Beckham Jr. as he will pair with Jarvis Landry as one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. Cleveland did not have a 1st round pick this year, as it was packaged in the deal for Odell as they traded it away to the New York Giants.

Even Greedy Williams may not be a scheme fit, he was a nice get for the Browns as he would go well with Denzel Ward. Mack Wilson was an insane value that late in the draft as he fits the linebacker need. I was not a fan of the Sione Takitaki pick but it would make more sense if the picks were switched as he gives them depth at linebacker.

Sheldrick Redwine would be a good special teamer and a depth safety but I do not know if he is starting caliber over Morgan Burnett to pair with Damarious Randall. I would have thought they would bring in another veteran safety to bolster their secondary.

Drew Forbes is a nice story and has versatility as a guard/ tackle and Donnie Lewis is more depth at cornerback. They are smaller school guys but I think they were over drafted slightly due to the other players available at those positions.

Austin Seibert will be their starting kicker as he has high expectations to meet but I would not draft a kicker/ punter that high. I am surprised they did not draft a pure tackle as Greg Robinson and Chris Hubbard are decent but could get upgraded.

Cavemen Rating:

Pittsburgh Steelers– 9 Selections

Best Pick, Worst Pick: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan; Sutton Smith, EDGE, Northern Illinois

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the big move to trade up for Devin Bush, to a fill a need that they have been lacking in the middle of their defense. To replace Antonio Brown (who they traded), the Steelers selected Diontae Johnson and even though he is an above average route runner, there were better receivers that offered more on the table.

Benny Snell gives them another power back to James Connor, very much a Steelers pick. I am also surprised they did not get a running back that would complement Connor’s power with a speedier back. Justin Layne was a nice selection as he some upside for a taller outside corner that can develop to eventually start.

Zach Gentry was an upside pick with his size but lacked production as he is a project but can play behind Vance McDonald. There were better tight ends that were safer in the draft with the production. Derwin Gray is another versatile offensive lineman that can play tackle or guard. A need I am surprised they did not address is safety as I am not sold on Sean Davis as a starting safety next to Terrell Edmunds.

Isaiah Buggs was a good depth pick as a defensive end as Sutton Smith is a smaller edge rusher that might have to play inside but he might be too undersized to make an early mark. Ulysees Gilbert gives them even more depth and speed at inside linebacker but I do not think he will make much of an impact early on expect special teams.

Cavemen Rating:

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