AFC North Blog: Draft Grades

By: Tony Mosesso, Michigan State University

I know I'm a little late, okay, well, a lot late, but things have been pretty busy lately. However, I'm back and ready to talk a little about the NFL Draft again.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Round 2: DE Sergio Kindle, Texas

Round 2: DT Terrence Cody, Alabama

Round 3: TE Ed Dickson, Oregon

Round 4: TE Dennis Pitta, BYU

Round 5: WR David Reed, Utah

Round 5: DT Art Jones, Syracuse

Round 6: OT Ramon Harewood, Morehouse

The Ravens missed on helping their secondary, which should have been a top goal. It's questionable and surprising that they took back to back TEs in rounds 3 and 4 with the need at CB and S. However, Ed Dickson could turn out to be the best TE taken in this draft in the long run, and Dennis Pitta will complement him well. Still, I think the secondary was more important than TE depth.

Overall Grade: C+

Cincinnati Bengals

Round 1: TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma

Round 2: DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida

Round 3: WR Jordan Shipley, Texas

Round 3: CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest

Round 4: DT Geno Atkins, Georgia

Round 4: LB Rodderick Muckelroy, Texas

Round 5: OG Otis Hudson, Eastern Illinois

Round 6: WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas

Round 7: OL Reggie Stephens, Iowa State

The Bengals had a very nice need-based draft, giving Carson Palmer a few more weapons and bolstering their defense. The only real miss I see here is not grabbing a safety anywhere in the draft. Plus, Jermaine Gresham is a good candidate for a bust. First round TEs are always risky, considering all of the other players on the board. Gresham is going to have to prove his worth. Carlos Dunlap is a first round talent. Jordan Shipley will be a strong slot receiver for Palmer. The Bengals nabbed a lot of talent, but only time will tell how it pans out.

Overall Grade: B+

Cleveland Browns

Round 1: CB Joe Haden, Florida

Round 2: FS T.J. Ward, Oregon

Round 2: RB Montario Hardesty, Tennessee

Round 3: QB Colt McCoy, Texas

Round 3: OT Shawn Lauvao, Arizona State

Round 5: SS Larry Asante, Nebraska

Round 6: WR Carlton Mitchell, South Florida

Round 6: DE Clifton Geathers, South Carolina

Cleveland did very well for themselves this year, passing on Colt McCoy not once, not twice, but three times before landing him with their 4th pick of the draft. Montario Hardesty will immediately compete for carries with Jerome Harrison, while Haden, Ward, and Asante will immediately strengthen this week defensive secondary.

Overall Grade: A-

Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 1: C/G Maurkice Pouncey, Florida

Round 2: DE Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech

Round 3: WR Emmanuel Sanders, Southern Methodist

Round 4: DE Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio State

Round 5: OT Chris Scott, Tennessee

Round 5: CB Crezdon Butler, Clemson

Round 5: LB Stevenson Sylvester, Utah

Round 6: RB Jonathon Dwyer, Georgia Tech

Round 6: WR Antonio Brown, Central Michigan

Round 7: DT Dough Worthington, Ohio State

Pittsburgh spend much of this draft helping their 3-4 defense and offensive line, but their three skill position players are no slouches. Jonathon Dwyer is a lot better than his 6th round draft position, and he'll be set to prove it in a backup role to Rashard Mendenhall. With the trading of Santonio Holmes, the Steelers elected to provide some depth at WR (Sanders, Brown). Solid draft for Pittsburgh this year.

Overall Grade: B