The NFL Draft is almost here, so here are my BOLD draft predictions for the AFC North:
Baltimore Ravens: You can never have too many pass rushers:
It may not be at the top of the “needs” list, but expect to see Baltimore add a pass rusher in this draft. Baltimore has always had a “best available” philosophy when drafting, and adding edge rushers could help turn the tide for some of their 4th quarter losses last season.
More protection for Lamar:
The Ravens’ last 5 seasons tell a very clear story: they’re drawing dead if Lamar Jackson gets injured. So why not add more protection for your most valuable player? Wyatt Milium and Anthony Belton make sense as guys who can be had on day two and play multiple positions along the offensive line.
Pittsburgh Steelers: QB of the present and future:
The Pittsburgh Steelers simply can not enter a season with their current QB room and be considered a serious franchise. With it getting more unlikely by the day that they sign Aaron Rodgers, I am predicting Pittsburgh to get their guy in the first round this draft, and I expect it to be Jaxson Dart. A competent QB can come in right away and succeed with this talented roster around him
A late-round RB:
This year’s running back class is one of the deepest I have seen. This could play into the favor of Pittsburgh, who has Jaylen Warren but clearly does not want to give him a heavy workload. There will be multiple viable options available on Day two and Day three of this draft who can shoulder some of that load, everywhere from Kaleb Johnson to Damien Martinez.
Cincinnati Bengals: An unserious franchise:
The Cincinnati Bengals ranked 25th in the league in total defense last season, and didn’t get any better on that side of the ball in free agency. They simply MUST get better on this side of the ball if they want to compete for a championship, but recent history has shown us that they just don’t prioritize that side of the football – as evidenced by handing long-term deals to both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase – and I think that will continue in this draft, and that makes Cincinnati a completely unserious threat to do any kind of winning this season. I expect the Bengals to incorrectly prioritize offense yet again in this draft.
Drafting Trey Hendricksen’s replacement:
Continuing the theme, I do think that if the Bengals draft a defensive player, it will be an edge rusher with the intent of replacing Trey Hendricksen. They gave long-term deals to both receivers and not Hendricksen, making it clear he won’t be there for long as they simply can no longer afford him. But they must replace his production if they have any goals of winning football games. If they choose to do so in round one, Mike Green out of Marshall and Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M make a lot of sense.
Cleveland Browns: Repeating 2017:
Browns fans may remember having the 1st pick in the draft back in 2017 with a clear need at the QB position, in which the Browns opted not to take a QB and instead draft generational Edge rusher Myles Garrett. I expect them to do the same this year and take Abdul Carter out of Penn State with the 2nd pick in the draft and worry about quarterback later…
Repeating 2017 (part two):
In that same 2017 draft, the Browns took Deshone Kizer out of Notre Dame in the 2nd round. He did not pan out, but the poor 2017 season set the table for the Browns to take Baker Mayfield in 2018. I expect them to do the same here. Why not draft the sure thing in Abdul Carter in round one, and then take a chance on a Jalen Milroe or a Quinn Ewers on day two? If they’re not good, you can just draft another one next year with another early-first-round pick.
