Over the next couple of days we will be giving team grades to every teams’ NFL Draft picks!
We don’t know right now how these drafts will plan out. We are working on projections and fits. Giving team grades is always tricky, but hey we are going to do it anyway!
We start with the AFC North!
AFC NORTH TEAM GRADES
Cincinnati Bengals – C+
- #5 – Ja’Marr Chase – WR – LSU
- #46 – Jackson Carman – OL – Clemson
- #69 – Joseph Ossai – OLB – Texas
- #111 – Cameron Sample – DL – Tulane
- #122 – Tyler Shelvin – DT – LSU
- #139 – D’Ante Smith – OL – East Carolina
- #149 – Evan McPherson – K -Florida
- #190 – Trey Hill – IOL -Georgia
- #202 – Chris Evans – RB – Michigan
- #235 – Wyatt Hubert – DE – Kansas State
After a good start on Thursday night, The Bengals draft turned into a bit of a mediocrity. The Chase over Sewell decision is understandable – if you get a tackle in the 2nd round. But considering Jackson Carman’s shortcomings, he is more likely a guard. The Bengals added some pieces on day 3. Smith and Sample are both good pickups, but although McPherson is a good kicker, it is always a risk considering what else is on the board.
Cleveland Browns – A+
- #26 – Greg Newsome II – CB – Northwestern
- #52 – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – LB – Notre Name
- #91 – Anthony Schwartz – WR – Auburn
- #110 – James Hudson – OT – Cincinnati
- #132 – Tommy Togiai – DT – Ohio State
- #153 – Tony Fields II – LB – West Virginia
- #169 – Richard LeCounte III – S – Georgia
- #211 – Demetric Felton – WR/RB – UCLA
Cleveland found value and talent at every pick! You could argue they possibly had the best draft of any team. The only pick that possibly feels a bit of a reach is Schwartz but considering some other smaller receivers taken on day 2, it is understandable. Both Felton and LeCounte are 2 great pick ups in late rounds and overall the Browns roster which is ready to compete, just got a whole lot better.
Pittsburgh Steelers – B-
- #24 – Najee Harris – RB – Alabama
- #55 – Pat Freiermuth – TE – Penn State
- #87 – Kendrick Green – G – Illinois
- #128 – Dan Moore Jr – OT – Texas A&M
- #140 – Buddy Johnson – LB – Texas A&M
- #156 – Isaiahh Loudermilk – DE – Wisconsin
- #216 – Quincy Roche – Edge – Miami
It wasn’t a surprise when the Steelers turned in the card for Harris at pick 24. But, neglecting the offensive line could come back to bite them. Then again in round 2 the Steelers opted for Freiermuth over beefing up the offensive line. Freiermuth was good value and we actually like the pick, but how much difference do Moore & Green fix the issues up front?
Baltimore Ravens – A
- #27 – Rashod Bateman – WR – Minnesota
- #31 – Odafe ‘Jayson’ Oweh – Edge – Penn State
- #94 – Ben Cleveland – G – Georgia
- #104 – Brandon Stephens – CB – SMU
- #131 – Tylan Wallace – WR – Oklahoma State
- #160 – Shaun Wade – CB – Ohio State
- #171 – Daelin Hayes – Edge – Notre Dame
- #184 – Ben Mason – FB – Michigan
An all round good draft for the Ravens! They have done a good job of adding versatile weapons for Lamar Jackson in Bateman and Wallace. Plus, if they can utilise Shaun Wade back inside and get him back to his 2019 best, he could be a solid player. Both Oweh and Hayes have really good pass rushing potential, rounding off a good draft for the Ravens full of reliable players.
How would you grade the AFC North draft classes? Let us know over on Twitter @NinetynineYards and @Owain_Jones_