The NFL Draft is quickly approaching and we at InhaleSports want to provide the best coverage of your favorite NFL team, so we will be doing NFL Draft Previews through each Division. Today we will look at the AFC North. We will be predicting each teams first round picks while also identifying each teams needs.
Baltimore Ravens: Pick #6
Joe Flacco did not have a good season this year, but that wasn’t because of him, unless you hold him accountable for his massively restrictive contract. The Ravens were really bad this year, and their offensive line did not do any favors to their Super Bowl winning quarterback. At #6 in the draft though, it may be too early to draft an interior lineman, such as a guard or a center. Their current left tackle, Eugene Monroe, is not a bad starter in this league, but simply may lose his job. With the Browns trading back, and the Eagles looking to take a QB at #2, Laremy Tunsil might’ve fallen into the Raven’s lap. Now Monroe is serviceable at protecting the QB’s blind side, but Tunsil may be a once-in-a-lifetime type tackle. He could be the next Jonathan Ogden, a lynch pin of an organization, and because of this, Monroe might be moving to right tackle. Another need for the Raven’s and Flacco is finding a wide receiver. Steve Smith Sr is one damn of a player, but he was supposed to retire last year, and besides Smith, the Ravens haven’t had a deep threat since Torrey Smith left the team. Finding someone who can stretch the field for Baltimore should be a big need in this draft.
Cleveland Browns: Pick #8
Cleveland somehow convinced the Eagles to trade up for the #2 pick and have given themselves more draft picks and potentially a better future. Quarterback is a big need for the Browns, but Hue Jackson and the rest Cleveland’s coaching staff believe that Robert Griffin (RGKnee) will be the solution at the QB. Cleveland can pretty much get better at every position on the field. A good guess would be drafting an offensive lineman or another offensive position to help recapture the lightning in a bottle that was RG3 in 2012. Defensively, the Browns could benefit from drafting a good linebacker, but I don’t think Myles Jack will be available at #8, and Reggie Ragland and Darron Lee might be stretches at this point. I see the Browns drafting Zeke Elliot, and trying to recreate the chemistry between RG3 and Alfred Morris from 2012. Either way, Cleveland has a lot to do to produce on the field this season.
Cincinnati Bengals: Pick #24
The obvious need for the Bengals is wide receiver, because the team lost both their 2nd and 3rd wideouts to free agency. It would make sense to give Dalton another weapon to work with besides AJ Green. Green is one of the best wide receivers in the league, but behind him there isn’t much depth. Any receiver would work here, though I see Laquan Treadwill and Josh Doctson being the top two choices for the Bengals. They also need some depth at the offensive line, specifically center. Center is another one of the positions this draft is deep in, with 10 potential draft picks from the center position alone. Watch for the Bengals to draft skill early and brute strength later.
Pick: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Pick #25
The Steelers need to vamp up their secondary, specifically cornerback. William Gay is 31, and while he still has something left in the tank, he is not a #1 cornerback. At 25, the Steelers could potentially draft Kendall Fuller from Virginia Tech, or maybe get Jalen Mills from LSU. Both of those would make sense at that point. The next biggest need would be inside linebacker. Lawrence Timmons has been a mainstay on the Steelers since 2008, but last year he had a drop off in terms of production, producing career highs in missed tackles, and yards in coverage. Kyler Fackrell of Utah State could help their linebacker corps, and isn’t a first round talent. Same could be said Jordan Jenkins of Georgia or Kentral Brothers from Missouri, if the Steelers don’t want to waste a first round pick. If their defense gets it together for this season, the Steelers could be a force to be reckoned with.
Pick: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
