Grading the Draft: AFC North gunning to stop the Browns
The NFL Draft is now over and I wanted to go over each division to grade the draft and talk about the best pick and the biggest reach for each team. I know this is very early to talk about who was the best and worst pick of their draft, but let’s face it, it is what we do for a living!!
Cleveland Browns – They landed Odell Beckham Jr with their first-round pick and Greedy Williams with their second. I do not think I have to talk about too much more. The Browns killed the draft with those two picks alone. Mack Wilson was a steal too. I loved the Drew Forbes pick and while I feel the kicker Austin Seibert was a reach in the fifth round he is a need. The Browns best pick was Odell Beckham Jr., I mean at the end of the day that lands the Browns an A+. If we just go off of the draft, I give them an overall B+.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Steelers draft was amazing, I love that they traded up for Devin Bush that was so non-Steelers that I loved it. They stacked up against their defense, getting a CB, ILB, a DT and an EDGE, that is to get after Baker Mayfield and the Browns. I know it sounds crazy but the Browns are the team to beat right now in the AFC North. The Steelers will have the best chance to knock them out. I loved the Ulysees Gilbert pick and felt it was a huge steal. To me, Zach Gentry the tight end from Michigan was the biggest reach. It was still a solid pick though, so overall I give the Steelers a B+.
Cincinnati Bengals – Bengals wanted to protect Andy Dalton and with their first pick, they struck gold. Jonah Williams will wear a gold jacket, and I believe that. To me, Drew Sample was a huge reach in the 2nd round. He is a great blocker, but that is not usually where blocking tight ends are drafted. To me besides Jonah Williams, Ryan Finley in the fourth round was a great pick. I love that pick and to me, that was their biggest steal. They drafted a couple running backs late and my boy Jordan Brown from South Dakota State. The Bengals had a solid draft, but overall I give them a B-.
Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens had a huge draft. I loved it, I mean I feel they did the best out of every team in the AFC North, on just draft picks. The Ravens struck hard with Marquise Brown and Jaylen Ferguson in round 1 and three. Add in the fact that landed Miles Boykin and Justice Hill they surrounded Lamar Jackson with some solid players. Their biggest reach to me was McSorley in the sixth round. I had him as an undrafted free agent. I was shocked he was drafted, but the Ravens must see something I didn’t. Their best pick was Ben Powers in the 4th round. Are you kidding me the kid is a freight train at guard? I love this kid and feel the Ravens had an overall A-.