AFC North: Baltimore Ravens
AFC North's five undrafted rookies to watch
May, 2, 2013
May 2
10:00
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
In addition to their draft picks, the AFC North teams added about 60 undrafted players this week. Some won't make it to training camp, and a majority won't last past the final cutdown. At first glance, there doesn't appear to be a Vontaze Burfict, who turned out to be the Bengals' leading tackler last season, in this year's group.
The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers start their three-day rookie minicamps on Friday, and the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals will hold theirs next weekend.
Here are my top five undrafted rookies to watch in the AFC North:
1. Matt Furstenburg, Ravens tight end: Athletic pass-catching tight end from Maryland who posted the second-fastest time for tight ends at the NFL combine. He lacks ideal height and saw his production drop (16 catches last season) as his college team went through six quarterbacks. Furstenburg was projected by some to go in the middle rounds.
2. Onterio McCalebb, Bengals cornerback: Former Auburn running back is making a position switch. But McCalebb is going to make the team based on his returner skills. He was the fastest man at the NFL scouting combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds. The big question is whether he can hold up in the NFL considering his extremely frail build. McCalebb was considered a late-round pick.
3. Braxston Cave, Browns center: Experienced, thick-bodied anchor from Notre Dame who made 35 career starts. His stock dropped because of a poor performance at the Senior Bowl. There are also durability concerns after two of his seasons ended with injuries. Cave is a mauling run blocker who hoped to go as high as the fourth round.
4. Rogers Gaines, Ravens offensive tackle: Developmental left tackle project from Tennessee State has rare size (6-foot-6, 334 pounds) but just two years of starting experience at the small school level. He'll have to add muscle in the weight room and prove he can handle speed rushers in the NFL. What stands out about Gaines is his nasty streak and massive wingspan. There was a chance he could have gone as early as the fifth round.
5. Joe Madsen, Steelers center: The four-year starter from West Virginia has good size, awareness and quickness. The biggest knock on Madsen is he'll struggle at the point of attack. He has short arms but he'll need to get stronger. Madsen was considered a seventh-round pick.
The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers start their three-day rookie minicamps on Friday, and the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals will hold theirs next weekend.
Here are my top five undrafted rookies to watch in the AFC North:
1. Matt Furstenburg, Ravens tight end: Athletic pass-catching tight end from Maryland who posted the second-fastest time for tight ends at the NFL combine. He lacks ideal height and saw his production drop (16 catches last season) as his college team went through six quarterbacks. Furstenburg was projected by some to go in the middle rounds.
2. Onterio McCalebb, Bengals cornerback: Former Auburn running back is making a position switch. But McCalebb is going to make the team based on his returner skills. He was the fastest man at the NFL scouting combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds. The big question is whether he can hold up in the NFL considering his extremely frail build. McCalebb was considered a late-round pick.
3. Braxston Cave, Browns center: Experienced, thick-bodied anchor from Notre Dame who made 35 career starts. His stock dropped because of a poor performance at the Senior Bowl. There are also durability concerns after two of his seasons ended with injuries. Cave is a mauling run blocker who hoped to go as high as the fourth round.
4. Rogers Gaines, Ravens offensive tackle: Developmental left tackle project from Tennessee State has rare size (6-foot-6, 334 pounds) but just two years of starting experience at the small school level. He'll have to add muscle in the weight room and prove he can handle speed rushers in the NFL. What stands out about Gaines is his nasty streak and massive wingspan. There was a chance he could have gone as early as the fifth round.
5. Joe Madsen, Steelers center: The four-year starter from West Virginia has good size, awareness and quickness. The biggest knock on Madsen is he'll struggle at the point of attack. He has short arms but he'll need to get stronger. Madsen was considered a seventh-round pick.
Last week at this time, teams were making their final preparations for the first round of the draft. Now, rookie minicamps are around the corner for the newest players in the AFC North. The mandatory minicamps for veterans is still a month away. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. First things first, which means the wake-up call ...
RAVENS: Jameel McClain is optimistic that he'll return from a spinal cord contusion he suffered last December, but the starting inside linebacker has yet to be medically cleared to resume playing. "I'm running around full speed, working out, lifting weights with no problems, nothing on my end," McClain told The Baltimore Sun. "I can do everything. Everything is positive on my end." McClain said the injury didn't require surgery. The severity and location of the injury had initially created doubt about his future.
BENGALS: Clark Judge of CBS Sports thinks the Bengals are changing their draft-day image. They are taking the best players available instead of reaching for need and players who come with baggage. Case in point: Selecting Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert in the first round. "So maybe it says something about the value of stability, with coach Marvin Lewis in place since 2003," Judge wrote. "Or maybe it says something about the influence of an improved scouting department and the impact that it has on Brown and the coaching staff. All I know is Mike Brown and the Cincinnati Bengals just got things right. Again."
STEELERS: Linebackers coach Keith Butler wanted the Steelers to draft an inside linebacker in the second round after taking outside linebacker Jarvis Jones in the first. "As I told them, last time we picked first and second with linebackers (2007 with Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley), we won the Super Bowl two years later," Butler told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We didn't go to it, we won it. I tried to make that argument, it didn't work. It worked for one round, but it didn't work for the second round." The only inside linebacker taken in the second round after the Steelers drafted running back Le'Veon Bell was Florida's Jon Bostic. The Steelers eventually selected Florida State inside linebacker Vince Williams in the sixth round.
BROWNS: The house-cleaning of the old regime's scouting department continued Wednesday, when director of college scouting John Spytek was fired along with two pro scouts, according to The Plain Dealer. Earlier in the week, senior national scout Pat Roberts left after the Browns did not renew his contract. Perhaps one reason why the Browns traded for two future picks is because CEO Joe Banner and general manager Mike Lombardi want to use their draft choices when they have their staff in place. Also, updating previous news items, The Plain Dealer is reporting free-agent offensive tackle Winston Justice is not visiting the Browns and the team isn't interested in Cardinals backup quarterback Brian Hoyer
RAVENS: Jameel McClain is optimistic that he'll return from a spinal cord contusion he suffered last December, but the starting inside linebacker has yet to be medically cleared to resume playing. "I'm running around full speed, working out, lifting weights with no problems, nothing on my end," McClain told The Baltimore Sun. "I can do everything. Everything is positive on my end." McClain said the injury didn't require surgery. The severity and location of the injury had initially created doubt about his future.
BENGALS: Clark Judge of CBS Sports thinks the Bengals are changing their draft-day image. They are taking the best players available instead of reaching for need and players who come with baggage. Case in point: Selecting Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert in the first round. "So maybe it says something about the value of stability, with coach Marvin Lewis in place since 2003," Judge wrote. "Or maybe it says something about the influence of an improved scouting department and the impact that it has on Brown and the coaching staff. All I know is Mike Brown and the Cincinnati Bengals just got things right. Again."
STEELERS: Linebackers coach Keith Butler wanted the Steelers to draft an inside linebacker in the second round after taking outside linebacker Jarvis Jones in the first. "As I told them, last time we picked first and second with linebackers (2007 with Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley), we won the Super Bowl two years later," Butler told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We didn't go to it, we won it. I tried to make that argument, it didn't work. It worked for one round, but it didn't work for the second round." The only inside linebacker taken in the second round after the Steelers drafted running back Le'Veon Bell was Florida's Jon Bostic. The Steelers eventually selected Florida State inside linebacker Vince Williams in the sixth round.
BROWNS: The house-cleaning of the old regime's scouting department continued Wednesday, when director of college scouting John Spytek was fired along with two pro scouts, according to The Plain Dealer. Earlier in the week, senior national scout Pat Roberts left after the Browns did not renew his contract. Perhaps one reason why the Browns traded for two future picks is because CEO Joe Banner and general manager Mike Lombardi want to use their draft choices when they have their staff in place. Also, updating previous news items, The Plain Dealer is reporting free-agent offensive tackle Winston Justice is not visiting the Browns and the team isn't interested in Cardinals backup quarterback Brian Hoyer
The draft is over, but the praising/criticizing/analyzing part is far from over. Stop by the AFC North weekly chat Wednesday if you want to talk about Barkevious, Margus and Shamarko, which sounds more like members of an Eastern European boy band than the newest defenders in the division.
Simply click on these underlined words right here and you'll be directed to the chat. We'll kick the discussion off at 2 p.m., so clear your schedule for that time.
As always, you can send your questions about the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers at any time. See you in a couple of hours.
Simply click on these underlined words right here and you'll be directed to the chat. We'll kick the discussion off at 2 p.m., so clear your schedule for that time.
As always, you can send your questions about the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers at any time. See you in a couple of hours.
McShay's best, worst picks for AFC North
May, 1, 2013
May 1
10:10
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
ESPN's Todd McShay evaluates the NFL draft for each AFC North team 
, giving his take on the best and most questionable picks. It's an Insider article, so you'll need a subscription to view the entire post. But here are McShay's picks and my take on them:
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Best pick: Safety Matt Elam, first round.
Questionable pick: Offensive lineman Ricky Wagner, fifth round.
My comments: I think everyone can agree that the Ravens' first two picks, Elam and inside linebacker Arthur Brown, will be impact rookies. As far as questionable picks, it's tough to criticize any of Baltimore's selections based on value. Wagner was considered a second-round pick last year but he fell after not having a stellar 2012 season.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Best pick: Tight end Tyler Eifert, first round.
Questionable pick: Safety Shawn Williams, third round.
My comments: Eifert should be the best player drafted in the last dozen picks of the first round. The Bengals took the best player available rather than addressing a bigger need. As McShay points out, there are differing opinions on Williams, the eighth safety drafted. If he isn't starting by next season, the pick looks even more questionable.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Best pick: Outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo, first round.
Questionable pick: Trading out of the fourth and fifth rounds.
My comments: McShay compares Mingo's explosive first step to Dwight Freeney, which is quite a compliment. Mingo is still developing as a pass-rusher, but his high ceiling makes him a legitimate top-10 pick. And while the Browns got good value in trading this year's picks for next year, McShay is right that the Browns passed on safeties and guards who could have helped a last-place team this season.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Best pick: Quarterback Landry Jones, fourth round.
Questionable pick: Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, first round.
My comments: I feel that Jarvis Jones was the best, and not most questionable, pick. McShay believes Jones can be a star but he wonders whether he'll last beyond three or four years. Given Jones' talent and the Steelers' need for a pass-rusher, it was a move that the Steelers had to make. Yes, there's a risk. But there's also a big reward if he plays like he did on tape. I didn't expect Landry Jones to be the choice here for best pick. His inability to handle pressure in the pocket will be a problem at this level. McShay thinks Jones could become the surprise quarterback of this class.
, giving his take on the best and most questionable picks. It's an Insider article, so you'll need a subscription to view the entire post. But here are McShay's picks and my take on them:
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Best pick: Safety Matt Elam, first round.
Questionable pick: Offensive lineman Ricky Wagner, fifth round.
My comments: I think everyone can agree that the Ravens' first two picks, Elam and inside linebacker Arthur Brown, will be impact rookies. As far as questionable picks, it's tough to criticize any of Baltimore's selections based on value. Wagner was considered a second-round pick last year but he fell after not having a stellar 2012 season.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Best pick: Tight end Tyler Eifert, first round.
Questionable pick: Safety Shawn Williams, third round.
My comments: Eifert should be the best player drafted in the last dozen picks of the first round. The Bengals took the best player available rather than addressing a bigger need. As McShay points out, there are differing opinions on Williams, the eighth safety drafted. If he isn't starting by next season, the pick looks even more questionable.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Best pick: Outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo, first round.
Questionable pick: Trading out of the fourth and fifth rounds.
My comments: McShay compares Mingo's explosive first step to Dwight Freeney, which is quite a compliment. Mingo is still developing as a pass-rusher, but his high ceiling makes him a legitimate top-10 pick. And while the Browns got good value in trading this year's picks for next year, McShay is right that the Browns passed on safeties and guards who could have helped a last-place team this season.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Best pick: Quarterback Landry Jones, fourth round.
Questionable pick: Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, first round.
My comments: I feel that Jarvis Jones was the best, and not most questionable, pick. McShay believes Jones can be a star but he wonders whether he'll last beyond three or four years. Given Jones' talent and the Steelers' need for a pass-rusher, it was a move that the Steelers had to make. Yes, there's a risk. But there's also a big reward if he plays like he did on tape. I didn't expect Landry Jones to be the choice here for best pick. His inability to handle pressure in the pocket will be a problem at this level. McShay thinks Jones could become the surprise quarterback of this class.
Wake-up: McKinnie making free-agent visits
May, 1, 2013
May 1
8:15
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
Now that the draft is over, the AFC North blog is getting back to its usual routine. The weekly column will be posted around noon today and the chat will kick off at 2 p.m. As always, it's time to start with the wake-up call ...
RAVENS: Bryant McKinnie, who started every playoff game at left tackle for the Ravens, is continuing a two-day visit with the San Diego Chargers today after meeting and taking a physical for the Miami Dolphins. Asked how his visit with the Chargers was going, McKinnie told The Baltimore Sun in a text message: "It's cool." A source told The Sun that contract talks have yet to begin between the Chargers and McKinnie. If the Chargers did sign McKinnie, they would replace one former Ravens left tackle (Jared Gaither) with another. The Ravens still have interest in McKinnie but have penciled in Kelechi Osemele as their left tackle for right now.
BENGALS: Running back Rex Burkhead spent Monday at the White House just two days after the Bengals selected him in the sixth round of the NFL draft. Burkhead met with President Barack Obama in an effort to spread awareness for pediatric brain cancer, according to the team's official website. He befriended 7-year-old Jack Hoffman nearly two years ago early in Hoffman's battle with brain cancer. "He told me he'd be on the lookout and wished me the best of luck," Burkhead said of his talk with the President. "Hopefully I'll be back if we win the Super Bowl. I wish I told him that, but there just wasn't enough time."
STEELERS: Second-round pick Le'Veon Bell was the Steelers' top-rated running back in the draft, according to offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Running backs coach Kirby Wilson looked at tape of some of Bell's toughest games. "The games where the back isn't necessarily getting those big holes, so you can see what he's really capable of doing on his own," Haley said, via The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Because, as we know, in the NFL the holes are a lot smaller. This is a big guy that can play like a big back, and yet also can get outside some and catch the ball." The Steelers view Bell as a three-down back.
BROWNS: Third-round pick Leon McFadden, a cornerback from San Diego State, already had a connection with the Browns even before he was drafted by the team. The quarterbacks coach at San Diego State is Brian Sipe, who quarterbacked the Browns from 1974 to 1983. "He’s very talented,” Sipe told the Akron Beacon Journal. “I had to train my quarterbacks to be able to throw against him, or I should say, stay away from him in practice.” McFadden is expected to compete for the Browns' starting cornerback job opposite Joe Haden.
RAVENS: Bryant McKinnie, who started every playoff game at left tackle for the Ravens, is continuing a two-day visit with the San Diego Chargers today after meeting and taking a physical for the Miami Dolphins. Asked how his visit with the Chargers was going, McKinnie told The Baltimore Sun in a text message: "It's cool." A source told The Sun that contract talks have yet to begin between the Chargers and McKinnie. If the Chargers did sign McKinnie, they would replace one former Ravens left tackle (Jared Gaither) with another. The Ravens still have interest in McKinnie but have penciled in Kelechi Osemele as their left tackle for right now.
BENGALS: Running back Rex Burkhead spent Monday at the White House just two days after the Bengals selected him in the sixth round of the NFL draft. Burkhead met with President Barack Obama in an effort to spread awareness for pediatric brain cancer, according to the team's official website. He befriended 7-year-old Jack Hoffman nearly two years ago early in Hoffman's battle with brain cancer. "He told me he'd be on the lookout and wished me the best of luck," Burkhead said of his talk with the President. "Hopefully I'll be back if we win the Super Bowl. I wish I told him that, but there just wasn't enough time."
STEELERS: Second-round pick Le'Veon Bell was the Steelers' top-rated running back in the draft, according to offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Running backs coach Kirby Wilson looked at tape of some of Bell's toughest games. "The games where the back isn't necessarily getting those big holes, so you can see what he's really capable of doing on his own," Haley said, via The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Because, as we know, in the NFL the holes are a lot smaller. This is a big guy that can play like a big back, and yet also can get outside some and catch the ball." The Steelers view Bell as a three-down back.
BROWNS: Third-round pick Leon McFadden, a cornerback from San Diego State, already had a connection with the Browns even before he was drafted by the team. The quarterbacks coach at San Diego State is Brian Sipe, who quarterbacked the Browns from 1974 to 1983. "He’s very talented,” Sipe told the Akron Beacon Journal. “I had to train my quarterbacks to be able to throw against him, or I should say, stay away from him in practice.” McFadden is expected to compete for the Browns' starting cornerback job opposite Joe Haden.
Readers grade AFC North teams' drafts
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
4:10
PM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
Some loyal readers of the AFC North blog channeled their inner Mel Kiper Jr. and graded their team's drafts. Here are some selected comments that were sent to the AFC North mailbag ...
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Gene from San Diego: I'd give the Ravens an 'A.' And I'd send Jerry Jones a bottle of my best champagne. I mean Florida safety Matt Elam was the player they wanted and so was Arthur Brown. The rest is cake. No wide receiver, but who's gonna replace Anquan Boldin late in the draft anyway?
Wilson from Baltimore: I'd give the Ravens an 'A'. Pros: Florida safety Matt Elam and Kansas State inside linebacker Arthur Brown fill the only notable holes on defense, Missouri Southern State's Brandon Williams should take over for underachieving Terrence Cody, and based on Ozzie Newsome's history, at least one of the late round picks will become a good player for them. Cons: Left tackle not addressed and wide receiver wasn't taken until seventh round. Overall, the Ravens filled needs without reaching, and LT and WR are two positions that can be addressed by adding free-agent stopgaps until the next draft.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
ZC from Cincinnati: I believe the Bengals exceeded expectations with this years draft even when their "needs" weren't met. Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert and North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard have chances to be instant impact players in an offense that seemed inconsistent at times. Although safety was a need, people tend to forget this defense was rated in the top 10. I give the Bengals an 'A'.
Eric from Cincinnati: My grade for the Bengals is B-plus. They did exactly what you're supposed to do in the draft: top three picks will all make an immediate impact and the back half of their draft added some depth with players that have great developmental potential (Texas A&M linebacker Sean Porter, Arkansas wide receiver Cobi Hamilton and Ohio State offensive tackle Reid Fragel). I don't think I can give them an 'A' because they didn't grab their safety until the third round, which could lead to another year of sub-par play at the position.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Ben from Phoenix: My grade for the Browns is 'B'. LSU linebacker Barkevious Mingo has lots of upside and San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden should be able to start at corner with improvement. To me, East Central defensive lineman Armonty Bryant will make or break the class. Has tons of potential but just has major character issues to resolve. Browns CEO Joe Banner has a knack for finding small school talents and translating them into NFL success. Lastly, watch out for free-agent safety Kerry Rhodes to the Browns before training camps begin.
Tom from Nicaragua: I think the Browns deserve a 'C.' I would have loved to see them package their last three picks to and maybe a middle rounder from next year to move up into the second like the deal Minnesota Vikings did with the New England Patriots. I don't think those last three picks will make a difference like a second-round one would. Also, I don't like no veteran corner being signed, but there are a couple still. Quentin Jammer is a starter over Buster Skrine. I know it's just a band aid, but for one year, he would work.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Jacob from Philadelphia: I think my Steelers deserve an A-minus for their draft grade, and here's why: The first round doesn't need to be addressed (anytime you can grab the player who led FBS at sacks, forced fumbles and tackles for a loss and he plays at your greatest position of need). I also love the selection of Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell as he is one of the few three-down backs in the draft and, if coached up to play a bit more physical, he could be a fantastic back. Plus I love the pick of Syracuse safety Shmarko Thomas, and Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones could turn out to be a great backup. My biggest concern is that while we drafted a few wideouts, including a burner, we still don't have a big physical presence who can play the ball outside the numbers. But other than that, I loved the draft.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Gene from San Diego: I'd give the Ravens an 'A.' And I'd send Jerry Jones a bottle of my best champagne. I mean Florida safety Matt Elam was the player they wanted and so was Arthur Brown. The rest is cake. No wide receiver, but who's gonna replace Anquan Boldin late in the draft anyway?
Wilson from Baltimore: I'd give the Ravens an 'A'. Pros: Florida safety Matt Elam and Kansas State inside linebacker Arthur Brown fill the only notable holes on defense, Missouri Southern State's Brandon Williams should take over for underachieving Terrence Cody, and based on Ozzie Newsome's history, at least one of the late round picks will become a good player for them. Cons: Left tackle not addressed and wide receiver wasn't taken until seventh round. Overall, the Ravens filled needs without reaching, and LT and WR are two positions that can be addressed by adding free-agent stopgaps until the next draft.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
ZC from Cincinnati: I believe the Bengals exceeded expectations with this years draft even when their "needs" weren't met. Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert and North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard have chances to be instant impact players in an offense that seemed inconsistent at times. Although safety was a need, people tend to forget this defense was rated in the top 10. I give the Bengals an 'A'.
Eric from Cincinnati: My grade for the Bengals is B-plus. They did exactly what you're supposed to do in the draft: top three picks will all make an immediate impact and the back half of their draft added some depth with players that have great developmental potential (Texas A&M linebacker Sean Porter, Arkansas wide receiver Cobi Hamilton and Ohio State offensive tackle Reid Fragel). I don't think I can give them an 'A' because they didn't grab their safety until the third round, which could lead to another year of sub-par play at the position.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Ben from Phoenix: My grade for the Browns is 'B'. LSU linebacker Barkevious Mingo has lots of upside and San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden should be able to start at corner with improvement. To me, East Central defensive lineman Armonty Bryant will make or break the class. Has tons of potential but just has major character issues to resolve. Browns CEO Joe Banner has a knack for finding small school talents and translating them into NFL success. Lastly, watch out for free-agent safety Kerry Rhodes to the Browns before training camps begin.
Tom from Nicaragua: I think the Browns deserve a 'C.' I would have loved to see them package their last three picks to and maybe a middle rounder from next year to move up into the second like the deal Minnesota Vikings did with the New England Patriots. I don't think those last three picks will make a difference like a second-round one would. Also, I don't like no veteran corner being signed, but there are a couple still. Quentin Jammer is a starter over Buster Skrine. I know it's just a band aid, but for one year, he would work.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Jacob from Philadelphia: I think my Steelers deserve an A-minus for their draft grade, and here's why: The first round doesn't need to be addressed (anytime you can grab the player who led FBS at sacks, forced fumbles and tackles for a loss and he plays at your greatest position of need). I also love the selection of Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell as he is one of the few three-down backs in the draft and, if coached up to play a bit more physical, he could be a fantastic back. Plus I love the pick of Syracuse safety Shmarko Thomas, and Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones could turn out to be a great backup. My biggest concern is that while we drafted a few wideouts, including a burner, we still don't have a big physical presence who can play the ball outside the numbers. But other than that, I loved the draft.NFL Power Rankings: AFC North reaction
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
12:08
PM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
Free agency has winded down, the schedule is out and the draft is over. Sounds like it's time to see where all of the teams measure up against one another. Here's an AFC North recap of the April edition of the NFL post-draft Power Rankings, where the Seahawks remain at No. 1:
BALTIMORE RAVENS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 8
My ranking: No. 5
2012 record: 10-6
Comment: In my rankings right after the first wave of free agency, I had the Ravens at No. 11 because they had lost seven starters from their Super Bowl team. Since that time, the Ravens added pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil, Michael Huff as well as two potential starters in the draft (safety Matt Elam and inside linebacker Arthur Brown). There's still a major question mark at the No. 2 wide receiver spot, but the Ravens have been impressive in rebuilding their defense. That's why I moved them to No. 5, which is higher than any other voter. NFC East blogger Dan Graziano has the Ravens at No. 10, their lowest ranking.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 9
My ranking: No. 9
2012 record: 10-6
Comment: The Bengals really solidified themselves as a top-10 team this month. Cincinnati added linebacker James Harrison, re-signed offensive tackle Andre Smith and put together one of the best drafts in the league. Tight end Tyler Eifert and running back Giovani Bernard bring big-play ability to the offense. Everyone has the Bengals in the top 10 except for the NFC West's Mike Sando (No. 11) and NFL columnist Ashley Fox (No. 12).
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 16
My ranking: No. 15
2012 record: 8-8
Comment: The Steelers couldn't do much in free agency because of their salary-cap limitations. Pittsburgh was able to retain restricted free-agent wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and extend RFA nose tackle Steve McLendon's contract. The Steelers also addressed needs with their first four picks in the draft with outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, running back Le'Veon Bell, wide receiver Markus Wheaton and safety Shamarko Thomas. Fox had the Steelers ranked the lowest at No. 18, while John Clayton had them the highest at No. 10.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 28
My ranking: No. 29
2012 record: 5-11
Comment: The Browns had the biggest fall in the rankings, dropping three spots since the one last month. This is what happens when a last-place team like the Browns only draft two players in the first five rounds of the draft. The perception of the Browns would be different if they had used their fourth-round pick on a wide receiver and their fifth-rounder on a free safety. The only teams ranked lower than the Browns are the Raiders, Bills, Jaguars and Jets.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 8
My ranking: No. 5
2012 record: 10-6
Comment: In my rankings right after the first wave of free agency, I had the Ravens at No. 11 because they had lost seven starters from their Super Bowl team. Since that time, the Ravens added pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil, Michael Huff as well as two potential starters in the draft (safety Matt Elam and inside linebacker Arthur Brown). There's still a major question mark at the No. 2 wide receiver spot, but the Ravens have been impressive in rebuilding their defense. That's why I moved them to No. 5, which is higher than any other voter. NFC East blogger Dan Graziano has the Ravens at No. 10, their lowest ranking.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 9
My ranking: No. 9
2012 record: 10-6
Comment: The Bengals really solidified themselves as a top-10 team this month. Cincinnati added linebacker James Harrison, re-signed offensive tackle Andre Smith and put together one of the best drafts in the league. Tight end Tyler Eifert and running back Giovani Bernard bring big-play ability to the offense. Everyone has the Bengals in the top 10 except for the NFC West's Mike Sando (No. 11) and NFL columnist Ashley Fox (No. 12).
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 16
My ranking: No. 15
2012 record: 8-8
Comment: The Steelers couldn't do much in free agency because of their salary-cap limitations. Pittsburgh was able to retain restricted free-agent wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and extend RFA nose tackle Steve McLendon's contract. The Steelers also addressed needs with their first four picks in the draft with outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, running back Le'Veon Bell, wide receiver Markus Wheaton and safety Shamarko Thomas. Fox had the Steelers ranked the lowest at No. 18, while John Clayton had them the highest at No. 10.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
ESPN Power Ranking: No. 28
My ranking: No. 29
2012 record: 5-11
Comment: The Browns had the biggest fall in the rankings, dropping three spots since the one last month. This is what happens when a last-place team like the Browns only draft two players in the first five rounds of the draft. The perception of the Browns would be different if they had used their fourth-round pick on a wide receiver and their fifth-rounder on a free safety. The only teams ranked lower than the Browns are the Raiders, Bills, Jaguars and Jets.
Wake-up call: Talking wide receivers
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
8:00
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
There's a chance that Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Markus Wheaton could press Emmanuel Sanders for playing time. There was no chance that the Baltimore Ravens were going to take wide receiver Quinton Patton in the fourth round. And then there is new Browns wide receiver Davone Bess, who is happy he received a second chance. For more on this chatter about wide receivers, continue reading today's wake-up call ...
RAVENS: General manager Ozzie Newsome said the team wasn't planning to draft Louisiana Tech's Patton in the fourth round, where the San Francisco 49ers picked him right before Baltimore went on the clock. “Did one receiver get taken when we were set to take the guy? No, that did not happen at that point,” Newsome said after the draft, via the team's official website. The only receiver drafted by the Ravens was Elon's Aaron Mellette in the seventh round. “Were there receivers in every round that we considered? Yes,” Newsome said. “As far as Aaron, when we got to that point in the draft, he was our highest-rated guy, and that’s why we decided to take him."
BENGALS: Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is getting a familiar vibe when hearing the Bengals' plans of putting first-round pick Tyler Eifert on the field at the same time as Jermaine Gresham. Green-Ellis played for New England, where the Patriots used frequently used tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez as a tandem. "Long story short, if you have two tight ends and they are both big guys and you don't feel like you have to cover them with DBs, it actually brings more people in to the box," Green-Ellis said, via the team's official website. "If you have two guys and you feel like one of them is really a receiver then you approach it differently."
STEELERS: The Steelers used a third-round pick on Wheaton, just like they did four years ago with Mike Wallace. Wheaton, who averaged 13.2 yards per catch, doesn't bring the big-play numbers, but the Steelers think he comes more well-rounded than Wallace, who signed with the Dolphins in free agency. "I saw Mike as more of an outside receiver, outside the numbers," offensive coordinator Todd Haley told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "This guy has played the slot a bunch when he wasn't outside. He is a little wider base [than Wallace], a little more running back build, in my opinion. The speed comparison -- it's hard for anyone to run faster than Mike, but this guy does play fast."
BROWNS: Bess doesn't believe he would be the same man today if he hadn't endured the misery from his past. Ten years ago, Bess spent 15 months in juvenile detention and lost his scholarship to Oregon State after he gave some friends a ride in his car after they had robbed a store. “Those heartaches, those tough times, those experiences in my cell molded me into the man I am today. At the time, being a young adolescent, I didn’t understand it. But being older now, I’m so thankful of those moments," Bess said in a conference call, via the Akron Beacon Journal. “My whole thing was going back, not only into the inner city, but abroad or wherever, and teaching, not only kids, but whoever, everybody, that there is a best route."
RAVENS: General manager Ozzie Newsome said the team wasn't planning to draft Louisiana Tech's Patton in the fourth round, where the San Francisco 49ers picked him right before Baltimore went on the clock. “Did one receiver get taken when we were set to take the guy? No, that did not happen at that point,” Newsome said after the draft, via the team's official website. The only receiver drafted by the Ravens was Elon's Aaron Mellette in the seventh round. “Were there receivers in every round that we considered? Yes,” Newsome said. “As far as Aaron, when we got to that point in the draft, he was our highest-rated guy, and that’s why we decided to take him."
BENGALS: Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is getting a familiar vibe when hearing the Bengals' plans of putting first-round pick Tyler Eifert on the field at the same time as Jermaine Gresham. Green-Ellis played for New England, where the Patriots used frequently used tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez as a tandem. "Long story short, if you have two tight ends and they are both big guys and you don't feel like you have to cover them with DBs, it actually brings more people in to the box," Green-Ellis said, via the team's official website. "If you have two guys and you feel like one of them is really a receiver then you approach it differently."
STEELERS: The Steelers used a third-round pick on Wheaton, just like they did four years ago with Mike Wallace. Wheaton, who averaged 13.2 yards per catch, doesn't bring the big-play numbers, but the Steelers think he comes more well-rounded than Wallace, who signed with the Dolphins in free agency. "I saw Mike as more of an outside receiver, outside the numbers," offensive coordinator Todd Haley told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "This guy has played the slot a bunch when he wasn't outside. He is a little wider base [than Wallace], a little more running back build, in my opinion. The speed comparison -- it's hard for anyone to run faster than Mike, but this guy does play fast."
BROWNS: Bess doesn't believe he would be the same man today if he hadn't endured the misery from his past. Ten years ago, Bess spent 15 months in juvenile detention and lost his scholarship to Oregon State after he gave some friends a ride in his car after they had robbed a store. “Those heartaches, those tough times, those experiences in my cell molded me into the man I am today. At the time, being a young adolescent, I didn’t understand it. But being older now, I’m so thankful of those moments," Bess said in a conference call, via the Akron Beacon Journal. “My whole thing was going back, not only into the inner city, but abroad or wherever, and teaching, not only kids, but whoever, everybody, that there is a best route."
2013 Baltimore Ravens draft analysis
April, 29, 2013
Apr 29
11:45
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
Let's break down the Baltimore Ravens' 2013 draft:
FIRST-ROUND SPOTLIGHT: The Ravens made it sound like taking Florida safety Matt Elam with the last pick of the first round was a no-brainer for them. Elam stood out to Baltimore because he was one of the few safety prospects in this draft who has the versatility of being physical enough to play in the box and fast enough to play deep coverage. The Ravens completed the overhaul at safety, going from Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard to Elam and Michael Huff. Elam was the third safety taken in the draft, behind Kenny Vaccaro (15th overall to New Orleans) and Eric Reid (18th to San Francisco). The Ravens picked Elam over linebacker Manti Te'o, safety Johnathan Cyprien, and wide receivers Justin Hunter and Robert Woods, all of whom were selected with the first 10 picks of the second round.
IN HINDSIGHT: The Ravens moved up to get the inside linebacker they wanted in the second round (Arthur Brown), but they weren't aggressive in addressing wide receiver. West Virginia's Stedman Bailey was taken two picks before the Ravens' selection in the third round, and Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton was drafted one pick before the Ravens were on the clock in the fourth round. It makes you wonder whether the Ravens should have released some players (like fullback Vonta Leach) to keep wide receiver Anquan Boldin and his $6 million salary.
BEST VALUE: DE-OLB John Simon, Ohio State. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year lasted until the fourth round. He's known for a relentless motor and for average athleticism. That sounds like a prospect the Ravens drafted in the same round a decade ago, and Jarret Johnson developed into a starter by his third season. Simon was so beloved by Urban Meyer that the Ohio State coach once said he would consider naming a son after him.
TOP LATE-ROUND PICK: DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, Notre Dame. The sixth-round pick is unlikely to see the field this year. After tearing his ACL in the BCS National Championship, he'll essentially be redshirted this season. Multiple knee injuries in college severely hurt his draft stock. If he can stay healthy, the Ravens will look smart in taking a chance on Lewis-Moore, a team captain who has upside as an inside pass-rusher.
SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T LIKE THIS DRAFT: Rolando McClain. The Ravens just didn't draft an inside linebacker. They traded three picks (ones in the second, fifth and sixth rounds) to move up six spots for Brown. When the Ravens signed McClain earlier this month, he was expected to start alongside Jameel McClain in the middle of Baltimore's defense. After McClain's latest arrest and the addition of Brown, you have to wonder how long Rolando McClain will remain on the roster.
FIRST-ROUND SPOTLIGHT: The Ravens made it sound like taking Florida safety Matt Elam with the last pick of the first round was a no-brainer for them. Elam stood out to Baltimore because he was one of the few safety prospects in this draft who has the versatility of being physical enough to play in the box and fast enough to play deep coverage. The Ravens completed the overhaul at safety, going from Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard to Elam and Michael Huff. Elam was the third safety taken in the draft, behind Kenny Vaccaro (15th overall to New Orleans) and Eric Reid (18th to San Francisco). The Ravens picked Elam over linebacker Manti Te'o, safety Johnathan Cyprien, and wide receivers Justin Hunter and Robert Woods, all of whom were selected with the first 10 picks of the second round.
IN HINDSIGHT: The Ravens moved up to get the inside linebacker they wanted in the second round (Arthur Brown), but they weren't aggressive in addressing wide receiver. West Virginia's Stedman Bailey was taken two picks before the Ravens' selection in the third round, and Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton was drafted one pick before the Ravens were on the clock in the fourth round. It makes you wonder whether the Ravens should have released some players (like fullback Vonta Leach) to keep wide receiver Anquan Boldin and his $6 million salary.
BEST VALUE: DE-OLB John Simon, Ohio State. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year lasted until the fourth round. He's known for a relentless motor and for average athleticism. That sounds like a prospect the Ravens drafted in the same round a decade ago, and Jarret Johnson developed into a starter by his third season. Simon was so beloved by Urban Meyer that the Ohio State coach once said he would consider naming a son after him.
TOP LATE-ROUND PICK: DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, Notre Dame. The sixth-round pick is unlikely to see the field this year. After tearing his ACL in the BCS National Championship, he'll essentially be redshirted this season. Multiple knee injuries in college severely hurt his draft stock. If he can stay healthy, the Ravens will look smart in taking a chance on Lewis-Moore, a team captain who has upside as an inside pass-rusher.
SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T LIKE THIS DRAFT: Rolando McClain. The Ravens just didn't draft an inside linebacker. They traded three picks (ones in the second, fifth and sixth rounds) to move up six spots for Brown. When the Ravens signed McClain earlier this month, he was expected to start alongside Jameel McClain in the middle of Baltimore's defense. After McClain's latest arrest and the addition of Brown, you have to wonder how long Rolando McClain will remain on the roster.
Every team talks about taking the best player available in the NFL draft, but filling a need does play a factor. Not all needs were addressed over three rounds of drafting. Here are the biggest post-draft questions facing each AFC North team:
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Who's starting at strong safety next to Reggie Nelson?
The Bengals addressed safety, but not as early as many predicted. Cincinnati waited until the third round to take Georgia's Shawn Williams. He'll compete against Taylor Mays and Jeromy Miles for the starting job. This wouldn't be a question if the Bengals had chosen to take Florida International's Johnathan Cyprien or Florida's Matt Elam in the first round. The Bengals have never made strong safety a priority in the draft or free agency the past couple of years. That's why it wasn't much of a surprise to see Cincinnati pass on safety in the first round in favor of tight end Tyler Eifert, who was clearly the higher-rated player on the team's draft board. The Bengals had Kerry Rhodes in for a free-agent visit earlier this month, but coach Marvin Lewis indicated there are no plans to sign a free-agent safety. Plus, as the Bengals have shown in the past, you can always bring back Chris Crocker.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
What's going on with the defensive backfield?
There are question marks for half of the starting spots in the secondary, and the Browns obviously weren't going to be able to address them by making two picks in the first five rounds of the draft. It's crazy to think the Browns have over $30 million in salary-cap space and they don't know with any certainty who is starting at cornerback and free safety. At cornerback, the top candidates are rookie third-rond pick Leon McFadden, penalty-prone Buster Skrine, Trevin Wade and Chris Owens. The prospects are slightly better at free safety, where the Browns will decide between Eric Hagg and Tashaun Gipson. In other words, it's a major step down after cornerback Joe Haden and safety T.J. Ward. The Browns had better hope their much-improved pass rush won't allow quarterbacks to look downfield.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Who is starting at left tackle and wide receiver?
No one really believed the Ravens were going to find the answer at left tackle when drafting at the bottom of each round. There was hope, however, the Ravens would bring in someone to complement Torrey Smith. But Baltimore didn't draft a wide receiver until the seventh round. The Ravens' decision now is whether to start Jacoby Jones (which would likely reduce his role as a returner) or go with an unproven young receiver like Tandon Doss. Another option is to go with more two tight-end sets and use Dennis Pitta in more of a wideout role by splitting him out. At left tackle, the Ravens have Kelechi Osemele penciled in that spot for right now. Baltimore can always bring back Bryant McKinnie, but he may only be re-signed if Osemele shows he can't play left tackle in minicamps. This is what the Ravens' lineup could look like heading into spring workouts: Osemele at left tackle, Jah Reid at left guard, Gino Gradkowski at center, Marshal Yanda at right guard and Michael Oher at right tackle.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
What happens if tight end Heath Miller isn't ready for the start of the season?
The Steelers have been vague on Miller's recovery from knee surgery and have yet to comment on whether he'll miss a significant amount of time in the regular season. By Pittsburgh not taking a tight end in this draft -- and passing over Notre Dame's Eifert in the first round -- you could see that as a message that the Steelers believe Miller won't miss a chunk of time at the start of 2013. But, by not adding a tight end, the Steelers have put themselves in a predicament if Miller is sidelined for an extended period. This is the depth at tight end: Matt Spaeth and David Paulson. Spaeth has averaged eight catches per season, and Paulson had seven catches last season as a rookie. That's not exactly going to replace Miller's eight touchdowns from last season.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Who's starting at strong safety next to Reggie Nelson?
The Bengals addressed safety, but not as early as many predicted. Cincinnati waited until the third round to take Georgia's Shawn Williams. He'll compete against Taylor Mays and Jeromy Miles for the starting job. This wouldn't be a question if the Bengals had chosen to take Florida International's Johnathan Cyprien or Florida's Matt Elam in the first round. The Bengals have never made strong safety a priority in the draft or free agency the past couple of years. That's why it wasn't much of a surprise to see Cincinnati pass on safety in the first round in favor of tight end Tyler Eifert, who was clearly the higher-rated player on the team's draft board. The Bengals had Kerry Rhodes in for a free-agent visit earlier this month, but coach Marvin Lewis indicated there are no plans to sign a free-agent safety. Plus, as the Bengals have shown in the past, you can always bring back Chris Crocker.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
What's going on with the defensive backfield?
There are question marks for half of the starting spots in the secondary, and the Browns obviously weren't going to be able to address them by making two picks in the first five rounds of the draft. It's crazy to think the Browns have over $30 million in salary-cap space and they don't know with any certainty who is starting at cornerback and free safety. At cornerback, the top candidates are rookie third-rond pick Leon McFadden, penalty-prone Buster Skrine, Trevin Wade and Chris Owens. The prospects are slightly better at free safety, where the Browns will decide between Eric Hagg and Tashaun Gipson. In other words, it's a major step down after cornerback Joe Haden and safety T.J. Ward. The Browns had better hope their much-improved pass rush won't allow quarterbacks to look downfield.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Who is starting at left tackle and wide receiver?
No one really believed the Ravens were going to find the answer at left tackle when drafting at the bottom of each round. There was hope, however, the Ravens would bring in someone to complement Torrey Smith. But Baltimore didn't draft a wide receiver until the seventh round. The Ravens' decision now is whether to start Jacoby Jones (which would likely reduce his role as a returner) or go with an unproven young receiver like Tandon Doss. Another option is to go with more two tight-end sets and use Dennis Pitta in more of a wideout role by splitting him out. At left tackle, the Ravens have Kelechi Osemele penciled in that spot for right now. Baltimore can always bring back Bryant McKinnie, but he may only be re-signed if Osemele shows he can't play left tackle in minicamps. This is what the Ravens' lineup could look like heading into spring workouts: Osemele at left tackle, Jah Reid at left guard, Gino Gradkowski at center, Marshal Yanda at right guard and Michael Oher at right tackle.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
What happens if tight end Heath Miller isn't ready for the start of the season?
The Steelers have been vague on Miller's recovery from knee surgery and have yet to comment on whether he'll miss a significant amount of time in the regular season. By Pittsburgh not taking a tight end in this draft -- and passing over Notre Dame's Eifert in the first round -- you could see that as a message that the Steelers believe Miller won't miss a chunk of time at the start of 2013. But, by not adding a tight end, the Steelers have put themselves in a predicament if Miller is sidelined for an extended period. This is the depth at tight end: Matt Spaeth and David Paulson. Spaeth has averaged eight catches per season, and Paulson had seven catches last season as a rookie. That's not exactly going to replace Miller's eight touchdowns from last season.
Wake-up: Why Steelers passed on top back
April, 29, 2013
Apr 29
8:00
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
To help with your post-draft hangover, the AFC North blog will review each team's draft from last week. The first one should be posted later this morning. In case you missed it, here are the links for Mel Kiper Jr.'s grades on the AFC North teams and my analysis of the draft for the division. Now, it's time to move forward with your wake-up call ...
RAVENS: A decision on whether to keep or get rid of linebacker Rolando McClain, who was arrested recently, could happen soon. The Ravens used a second-round pick on inside linebacker Arthur Brown, which doesn't help McClain's chances to stay. “Right now, we've got 90 football players and he's one of the 90, and we're going to make determinations starting tomorrow who we think is going to be in our top 53,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said, via The Baltimore Sun. “We'll start making decisions and there are going to be some tough decisions, but right now, Rolando's still a part of our football team.” Also, wide receiver Torrey Smith cut off his dreadlocks.
BENGALS: The Cincinnati Enquirer's Paul Daugherty thinks this draft shows how much the Bengals have improved as an organization by basing picks on talent instead of reaching for need. "Lately, their drafts have been better than good. It’s too early to put this draft in that category," Daugherty wrote. "It’s not too early to look at the drafting philosophy and be encouraged. The Bengals have moved from the depths of the NFL and into its purposely bloated middle class. Lately, they’ve actually been taking some tiny, Bengal steps toward being better than that. Not to say the Bengals are Super Bowl contenders. But they are in that extended-family photo. When was the last time we could say that?"
STEELERS: The Steelers raised some eyebrows with their choice of running back in the second round, taking Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell over Alabama's Eddie Lacy, who was considered the top back in the draft. A team source told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers weren't going to draft Lacy because his big toe had been fused, which has never been reported. There had been reports that teams were concerned about Lacy's hamstring and turf toe. The Steelers weren't the only team to pass on Lacy. He lasted until the bottom of the second round, when the Green Bay Packers made him the fourth running back drafted.
BROWNS: After getting through a month of free agency and seven rounds of the draft, Brandon Weeden remains atop the quarterback depth chart. In making the two trades on Day 3, the Browns passed on a number of quarterbacks, including Oklahoma's Landry Jones and Arkansas' Tyler Wilson. According to The Plain Dealer, chief executive officer Joe Banner declined to address the NFL Network report that the Browns have interest in trading for Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Brian Hoyer. "Quarterback’s an important position," Banner said. "We're always gonna be open to looking at the position, we’re always gonna be evaluating everybody and every option there is to get stronger there, just as a matter of organizational philosophy."
RAVENS: A decision on whether to keep or get rid of linebacker Rolando McClain, who was arrested recently, could happen soon. The Ravens used a second-round pick on inside linebacker Arthur Brown, which doesn't help McClain's chances to stay. “Right now, we've got 90 football players and he's one of the 90, and we're going to make determinations starting tomorrow who we think is going to be in our top 53,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said, via The Baltimore Sun. “We'll start making decisions and there are going to be some tough decisions, but right now, Rolando's still a part of our football team.” Also, wide receiver Torrey Smith cut off his dreadlocks.
BENGALS: The Cincinnati Enquirer's Paul Daugherty thinks this draft shows how much the Bengals have improved as an organization by basing picks on talent instead of reaching for need. "Lately, their drafts have been better than good. It’s too early to put this draft in that category," Daugherty wrote. "It’s not too early to look at the drafting philosophy and be encouraged. The Bengals have moved from the depths of the NFL and into its purposely bloated middle class. Lately, they’ve actually been taking some tiny, Bengal steps toward being better than that. Not to say the Bengals are Super Bowl contenders. But they are in that extended-family photo. When was the last time we could say that?"
STEELERS: The Steelers raised some eyebrows with their choice of running back in the second round, taking Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell over Alabama's Eddie Lacy, who was considered the top back in the draft. A team source told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers weren't going to draft Lacy because his big toe had been fused, which has never been reported. There had been reports that teams were concerned about Lacy's hamstring and turf toe. The Steelers weren't the only team to pass on Lacy. He lasted until the bottom of the second round, when the Green Bay Packers made him the fourth running back drafted.
BROWNS: After getting through a month of free agency and seven rounds of the draft, Brandon Weeden remains atop the quarterback depth chart. In making the two trades on Day 3, the Browns passed on a number of quarterbacks, including Oklahoma's Landry Jones and Arkansas' Tyler Wilson. According to The Plain Dealer, chief executive officer Joe Banner declined to address the NFL Network report that the Browns have interest in trading for Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Brian Hoyer. "Quarterback’s an important position," Banner said. "We're always gonna be open to looking at the position, we’re always gonna be evaluating everybody and every option there is to get stronger there, just as a matter of organizational philosophy."
Kiper Jr.'s post-draft grades on AFC North
April, 28, 2013
Apr 28
9:15
AM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals had the most successful drafts in the NFL. This isn't me saying it. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. gave three teams an 'A', and two of them were last season's playoff teams from this division. Take a bow, Ravens and Bengals.
You'll need a subscription to read all about Kiper's 2013 draft grades
, but I'll give you a portion of what Kiper had to say about the Ravens, Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, along with my take on each one:
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Kiper Jr.'s grade: A-minus
Kiper Jr.'s comment: "The Ravens had another excellent draft because they needed starters at some key spots and pulled it off. That's not easy to do when you're slotted in at No. 32."
Jamison Hensley's take: What stands out about the Ravens' draft is they might have found three immediate starters despite selecting at the bottom of the round for two of them. The player I like the most is Kansas State inside linebacker Arthur Brown. The Ravens aggressively traded up for him, and he should supplant Rolando McClain. Matt Elam should replace James Ihedigbo at safety, although his size is a concern. Missouri Southern State's Brandon Williams has a chance to beat out underachieving Terrence Cody at nose tackle. I would give the Ravens a grade slightly lower, because they were unable to address wide receiver and offensive tackle earlier. By just a few picks, Baltimore saw West Virginia receiver Stedman Bailey get taken before them in the third round and watched Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton go in the fourth. Excellent draft for defense, a below-average one on offense.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Kiper Jr.'s grade: A-minus
Kiper Jr.'s comment: "The Bengals somehow didn't address a pretty big need early (and they don't have many) and still really impressed me. The Bengals seem to be a groove with the draft, the only downside being the picks that came via the Carson Palmer deal are now spent. It was fun while it lasted."
Hensley's take: The Bengals raised expectations because of productive drafts the past couple of years, and they might have surpassed them with this group of players. Using the 21st overall pick on Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert, a player some draft experts had going as high as No. 6, is one of the best values in the first round even though this position wasn't a need for Cincinnati. It's true North Carolina's Giovani Bernard wasn't the top-rated running back of this draft, but his ability to break big plays and catch the ball is exactly what the Bengals coveted. Plus, it's a bonus pick from the Palmer trade. Southern Methodist defensive end Margus Hunt, an athletic freak, intrigues me more than any other pick in this division. The biggest knock is the Bengals didn't address their biggest need (safety) until the third round. Georgia's Shawn Williams isn't on the same level as an Elam or Johnathan Cyprien, both of whom were available in the first round, but he'll get a chance to start.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Kiper Jr.'s grade: B
Kiper Jr.'s comment: "The Steelers got a little bit of their bite back. I love the selection of Jarvis Jones in Round 1. I just thought Le'Veon Bell was a bit of a reach. I'll say this for him, however: Bell played behind some pretty awful blocking last year and still managed to be productive."
Hensley's take: If you read my post-draft analysis, you already know that I think taking Jones was the best move when looking at the drafts for every AFC North team. The Steelers needed a pass-rusher after cutting James Harrison, and they got the best one coming out of college this year at No. 17. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the pick I'm most skeptical about is the Michigan State running back Bell. He's a finesse back who could turn out to be another Rashard Mendenhall in terms of running style. I'm not enamored by Oregon State wide receiver Markus Wheaton or Illinois cornerback Terry Hawthorne, but it's hard to criticize given the Steelers' history with wide receivers in the third round and cornerbacks in the middle of the draft. The second-best player in Pittsburgh's draft class could turn out to be Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas, a fourth-round selection.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Kiper Jr.'s grade: C-plus
Kiper Jr.'s comment: "I don't know if it's a good thing, per se, but the guy who will impact the Browns most in 2013 might not be the player they took at No. 6 overall. The hope is (LSU linebacker Barkevious) Mingo becomes a star, and (San Diego State cornerback Leon) McFadden can perform early. The good news is, both could happen."
Hensley's take: When looking at the players the Browns drafted over these three days, I would give the Browns a C-minus. When you look at the big picture, the Browns deserve a solid B. I like the fact that the Browns took a pass-rusher with the upside of Mingo in the first round over Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner. I like how the Browns traded two picks in the middle rounds of this mediocre draft for higher ones next year. And, even though it was a move made by the old regime, I like the decision to draft wide receiver Josh Gordon in the second round of last year's supplemental draft even more when looking at the wide receivers that were available in the second round Friday night. You also have to add veteran wide receiver Davone Bess to this class after the Browns picked him up for basically nothing during this draft. My biggest criticism, and I brought it up in the post-draft analysis, was failing to sign a veteran cornerback in free agency. That would have strengthened the reason to pass on Milliner in the first round and would have taken pressure off McFadden, the 11th cornerback taken in the draft, to start right away.
You'll need a subscription to read all about Kiper's 2013 draft grades
, but I'll give you a portion of what Kiper had to say about the Ravens, Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, along with my take on each one:
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Kiper Jr.'s grade: A-minus
Kiper Jr.'s comment: "The Ravens had another excellent draft because they needed starters at some key spots and pulled it off. That's not easy to do when you're slotted in at No. 32."
Jamison Hensley's take: What stands out about the Ravens' draft is they might have found three immediate starters despite selecting at the bottom of the round for two of them. The player I like the most is Kansas State inside linebacker Arthur Brown. The Ravens aggressively traded up for him, and he should supplant Rolando McClain. Matt Elam should replace James Ihedigbo at safety, although his size is a concern. Missouri Southern State's Brandon Williams has a chance to beat out underachieving Terrence Cody at nose tackle. I would give the Ravens a grade slightly lower, because they were unable to address wide receiver and offensive tackle earlier. By just a few picks, Baltimore saw West Virginia receiver Stedman Bailey get taken before them in the third round and watched Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton go in the fourth. Excellent draft for defense, a below-average one on offense.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Kiper Jr.'s grade: A-minus
Kiper Jr.'s comment: "The Bengals somehow didn't address a pretty big need early (and they don't have many) and still really impressed me. The Bengals seem to be a groove with the draft, the only downside being the picks that came via the Carson Palmer deal are now spent. It was fun while it lasted."
Hensley's take: The Bengals raised expectations because of productive drafts the past couple of years, and they might have surpassed them with this group of players. Using the 21st overall pick on Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert, a player some draft experts had going as high as No. 6, is one of the best values in the first round even though this position wasn't a need for Cincinnati. It's true North Carolina's Giovani Bernard wasn't the top-rated running back of this draft, but his ability to break big plays and catch the ball is exactly what the Bengals coveted. Plus, it's a bonus pick from the Palmer trade. Southern Methodist defensive end Margus Hunt, an athletic freak, intrigues me more than any other pick in this division. The biggest knock is the Bengals didn't address their biggest need (safety) until the third round. Georgia's Shawn Williams isn't on the same level as an Elam or Johnathan Cyprien, both of whom were available in the first round, but he'll get a chance to start.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Kiper Jr.'s grade: B
Kiper Jr.'s comment: "The Steelers got a little bit of their bite back. I love the selection of Jarvis Jones in Round 1. I just thought Le'Veon Bell was a bit of a reach. I'll say this for him, however: Bell played behind some pretty awful blocking last year and still managed to be productive."
Hensley's take: If you read my post-draft analysis, you already know that I think taking Jones was the best move when looking at the drafts for every AFC North team. The Steelers needed a pass-rusher after cutting James Harrison, and they got the best one coming out of college this year at No. 17. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the pick I'm most skeptical about is the Michigan State running back Bell. He's a finesse back who could turn out to be another Rashard Mendenhall in terms of running style. I'm not enamored by Oregon State wide receiver Markus Wheaton or Illinois cornerback Terry Hawthorne, but it's hard to criticize given the Steelers' history with wide receivers in the third round and cornerbacks in the middle of the draft. The second-best player in Pittsburgh's draft class could turn out to be Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas, a fourth-round selection.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Kiper Jr.'s grade: C-plus
Kiper Jr.'s comment: "I don't know if it's a good thing, per se, but the guy who will impact the Browns most in 2013 might not be the player they took at No. 6 overall. The hope is (LSU linebacker Barkevious) Mingo becomes a star, and (San Diego State cornerback Leon) McFadden can perform early. The good news is, both could happen."
Hensley's take: When looking at the players the Browns drafted over these three days, I would give the Browns a C-minus. When you look at the big picture, the Browns deserve a solid B. I like the fact that the Browns took a pass-rusher with the upside of Mingo in the first round over Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner. I like how the Browns traded two picks in the middle rounds of this mediocre draft for higher ones next year. And, even though it was a move made by the old regime, I like the decision to draft wide receiver Josh Gordon in the second round of last year's supplemental draft even more when looking at the wide receivers that were available in the second round Friday night. You also have to add veteran wide receiver Davone Bess to this class after the Browns picked him up for basically nothing during this draft. My biggest criticism, and I brought it up in the post-draft analysis, was failing to sign a veteran cornerback in free agency. That would have strengthened the reason to pass on Milliner in the first round and would have taken pressure off McFadden, the 11th cornerback taken in the draft, to start right away.
Three or four years from now, we'll be able to evaluate this draft with a measure of accuracy. But everyone has immediate opinions on how their team performed in the draft as well as their division rivals.
So, it's time to play Mel Kiper Jr. and put some grades on the drafts for the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Click right here and tell us if your team made the best use of its draft picks or not. Be honest.
After you fill out the draft report card, send me your feedback by dropping a line to the AFC North mailbag. Just remember three things: name your team, give your grade and state your case in three sentences. Your comment could be used in a post on this blog in a few days.
So, it's time to play Mel Kiper Jr. and put some grades on the drafts for the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Click right here and tell us if your team made the best use of its draft picks or not. Be honest.
After you fill out the draft report card, send me your feedback by dropping a line to the AFC North mailbag. Just remember three things: name your team, give your grade and state your case in three sentences. Your comment could be used in a post on this blog in a few days.
A quick recap of what the teams in the division did in the final two rounds ...
CINCINNATI BENGALS: Nebraska RB Rex Burkhead (sixth round) is smart, competitive and versatile (can line up in wildcat). There are questions about durability considering his injury history. ... Arkansas WR Cobi Hamilton (sixth round) is a big possession receiver and strong blocker. He has to prove he can get separation. ... Ohio State OT Reid Fragel (seventh round) moved from tight end to the offensive line last year, so he needs to work on his technique. He plays with an edge. ... South Carolina C T.J. Johnson (seventh round) uses his size well in the run game but looks heavy-footed in pass protection.
CLEVELAND BROWNS: Yes, the Browns did actually draft some players on Day 3. Notre Dame S Jamoris Slaughter (sixth round) is about 90 percent recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon, which caused him to fall from being a third-round prospect. He is known as a leader with good football IQ. ... East Central Oklahoma DE Armonty Bryant (seventh round) is a character risk after being arrested for selling marijuana to undercover police. On the field, he finished with a school-record 26.5 sacks. ... Chadron State guard Garrett Gilkey (seventh round) is a Division II tackle who will move to guard. He's added 70 pounds since high school.
BALTIMORE RAVENS: Notre Dame DE Kapron Lewis-Moore (sixth round) tore his ACL in the BCS championship game and may sit out this season. He's a blue-collar prospect who has had trouble staying healthy. ... Colorado State-Pueblo guard Ryan Jensen (sixth round) is a small-school four-year starter at tackle who will move inside in the NFL. He plays with a mean streak. ... Elon WR Aaron Mellette (seventh round) has good size (6-feet-2) and doesn't shy away from contact. He was outclassed against big-school defenders at the Senior Bowl. ... California CB Marc Anthony (seventh round) is a physical press corner who doesn't have the closing speed to match up with faster receivers.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Penn State's Justin Brown (sixth round) is the second wide receiver drafted by the Steelers this week. Brown brings size (6-3) but not game-breaking speed. ... Florida State ILB Vince Williams (sixth round) is a two-down player who can stop the run. He will provide depth because the Steelers don't expect Sean Spence (knee injury) to play this season. ... Samford DT Nicholas Williams (seventh round) is a raw prospect who is a former basketball standout. He has upside as a pass-rusher.
CINCINNATI BENGALS: Nebraska RB Rex Burkhead (sixth round) is smart, competitive and versatile (can line up in wildcat). There are questions about durability considering his injury history. ... Arkansas WR Cobi Hamilton (sixth round) is a big possession receiver and strong blocker. He has to prove he can get separation. ... Ohio State OT Reid Fragel (seventh round) moved from tight end to the offensive line last year, so he needs to work on his technique. He plays with an edge. ... South Carolina C T.J. Johnson (seventh round) uses his size well in the run game but looks heavy-footed in pass protection.
CLEVELAND BROWNS: Yes, the Browns did actually draft some players on Day 3. Notre Dame S Jamoris Slaughter (sixth round) is about 90 percent recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon, which caused him to fall from being a third-round prospect. He is known as a leader with good football IQ. ... East Central Oklahoma DE Armonty Bryant (seventh round) is a character risk after being arrested for selling marijuana to undercover police. On the field, he finished with a school-record 26.5 sacks. ... Chadron State guard Garrett Gilkey (seventh round) is a Division II tackle who will move to guard. He's added 70 pounds since high school.
BALTIMORE RAVENS: Notre Dame DE Kapron Lewis-Moore (sixth round) tore his ACL in the BCS championship game and may sit out this season. He's a blue-collar prospect who has had trouble staying healthy. ... Colorado State-Pueblo guard Ryan Jensen (sixth round) is a small-school four-year starter at tackle who will move inside in the NFL. He plays with a mean streak. ... Elon WR Aaron Mellette (seventh round) has good size (6-feet-2) and doesn't shy away from contact. He was outclassed against big-school defenders at the Senior Bowl. ... California CB Marc Anthony (seventh round) is a physical press corner who doesn't have the closing speed to match up with faster receivers.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Penn State's Justin Brown (sixth round) is the second wide receiver drafted by the Steelers this week. Brown brings size (6-3) but not game-breaking speed. ... Florida State ILB Vince Williams (sixth round) is a two-down player who can stop the run. He will provide depth because the Steelers don't expect Sean Spence (knee injury) to play this season. ... Samford DT Nicholas Williams (seventh round) is a raw prospect who is a former basketball standout. He has upside as a pass-rusher.
» NFC draft analysis: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
It was quite apparent that every team in the AFC North had a specific plan in this year's draft, and each one differed greatly.
The defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens wanted to rebuild the defense, using their first four picks for that side of the ball. It started with Florida safety Matt Elam at the bottom of the first round.
The Cincinnati Bengals believed the key to taking the next step in the playoffs was adding more weapons on offense. There's no more excuses for quarterback Andy Dalton after the Bengals took the first tight end (Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert) and running back (North Carolina's Giovani Bernard) in this year's draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers believe bouncing back from an 8-8 season requires upgrading two of the team's weakest areas, the pass rush (Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones) and running game (Michigan State back Le'Veon Bell). The Steelers didn't take a tight end, which will be a trouble spot if Heath Miller hasn't fully recovered from knee surgery by the start of the season.
And, in the first draft under their new regime, the Cleveland Browns obviously didn't like the depth of this draft, trading twice in the middle rounds to stockpile more picks in the 2014 draft. The Browns picked only two players (LSU linebacker Barkevious Mingo and San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden) in the first five rounds.
Here are some more thoughts on how the draft unfolded for the division ...
BEST MOVE
The Steelers had a top-five talent -- Jones -- fall into their laps at No. 17. So, how is that the "best move?" Pittsburgh invested a first-round pick in Jones when other teams were scared off by medical concerns and a poor pro-day workout. His fall is reminiscent of how Terrell Suggs fell in the 2003 draft, and you remember how that turned out.
Jones has the potential to be the best defensive player in this draft. He led the nation in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (24.5) and forced fumbles (seven) despite missing two games last season. His burst, strength and athleticism coming off the edge make him a perfect fit for the Steelers defense and the heir apparent to James Harrison.
There is a risk involved because he's previously been diagnosed as having stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal column that has shortened NFL careers. But the Steelers couldn't pass on a disruptive rusher like Jones. Since leading the NFL in sacks in 2010, the Steelers ranked 17th in 2011 and 15th in 2012. Taking Jones is the first step to turning the NFL's top-ranked defense into more of a playmaking one.
Making the best move doesn't mean the Steelers had the best draft in the AFC North. That honor goes to the Bengals. The Steelers reached in the second round by taking Bell, a finesse back who will remind many of Rashard Mendenhall. Pittsburgh chose Bell over more explosive backs like Alabama's Eddie Lacy and UCLA's Johnathan Franklin.
Outside of drafting Jones, the Steelers' other great move was trading up in the fourth round to select Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas, a high-energy and hard-hitting defensive back. Pittsburgh had to give up a 2014 third-round pick for him, but the Steelers could get a third-round compensatory pick next year for losing wide receiver Mike Wallace.
RISKIEST MOVE
The AFC North team that needs the most infusion of talent in this draft decided to play spectator. The Browns added two players in the first 174 picks of this week's draft. New general manager Mike Lombardi channeled Bill Belichick in trading picks in the fourth and fifth rounds of this draft for selections in the third and fourth rounds in 2014.
These moves make sense because next year's draft should be deeper than this one, but this offers little immediate help to a franchise that has lost 57 games in the past five seasons. Plus, there are no guarantees that Lombardi or chief executive officer Joe Banner will be making those picks next year. The federal investigation into owner Jimmy Haslam's family-run truck stop business has put a cloud of uncertainty over the franchise.
Some can argue the Browns' first pick was a risky move as well. Instead of filling the team's biggest need with Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, the Browns went with the highest-rated player on their board, Mingo, a pass-rush menace with tremendous upside, at No. 6 overall. The decision was the right one, although I would feel better about it if the Browns addressed cornerback in free agency.
Sitting with a league-high $33 million in salary-cap room entering the draft, the Browns refused to spend money on a veteran starter, whether it was Brent Grimes, Sean Smith, Aqib Talib, Keenan Lewis or Cary Williams. Instead, it looks like the Browns will start either Buster Skrine or the 68th player taken in this draft (McFadden). According to ESPN Stats & Information, Cleveland allowed 22 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers last season, tied for second-most in the NFL.
It was a quiet final day for the Browns. Cleveland used a sixth-round pick on Notre Dame free safety Jamoris Slaughter, who hasn't fully recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and a seventh-rounder on defensive end Armonty Bryant, a character risk from East Central Oklahoma.
MOST SURPRISING MOVE
The Bengals were full of surprises, and I mean that in a good way. Everyone knew the Bengals were going to take a safety, linebacker or running back in the first round. Wrong. Cincinnati went with the draft's best tight end, Eifert, with the No. 21 overall pick even though they drafted Jermaine Gresham with the No. 21 overall pick three years ago. Eifert is a matchup nightmare for defenses, from the red zone to deep downfield. The Bengals took advantage of a draft that featured a run of offensive linemen and pass-rushers in the top 20. That allowed Eifert, the best offensive playmaker in the draft behind Tavon Austin, to fall unexpectedly to Cincinnati.
The Bengals delivered a milder surprise in the second round, when they made Bernard the first running back taken. Rated as the fourth-best back in this draft by Mel Kiper Jr., Bernard has the chance to be the next Ray Rice. Later in the second round, Cincinnati added to an already deep defensive line with Southern Methodist's Margus Hunt, a world-class discus thrower. In total, the Bengals brought in three of the best athletes at their positions, which is a strong foundation for any draft.
FILE IT AWAY
The Ravens solidified the middle of their defense for years to come with their first three picks: Elam, Kansas State inside linebacker Arthur Brown and Missouri Southern State's Brandon Williams. The problem is the Ravens did nothing of significance to improve their wide receiver group. (They drafted Elon's Aaron Mellette in the seventh round.) Baltimore gave quarterback Joe Flacco a $120.6 million contract and then took away his go-to receiver in Anquan Boldin. The Ravens didn't replace him in free agency and, as of the start of the seventh round, didn't draft a wide receiver. Baltimore's first pick on an offensive player was Harvard fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
The only proven receivers on the roster are Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones, who is more of a returner than a starting wideout. Of the remaining receivers -- Tandon Doss, David Reed, Tommy Streeter, Deonte Thompson and LaQuan Williams -- none was drafted in the first three rounds and two went undrafted. It's a group that has combined for 21 receptions and one touchdown. That said, please spare me the repeated questions about the Ravens' signing Chad Johnson or Terrell Owens.
It was quite apparent that every team in the AFC North had a specific plan in this year's draft, and each one differed greatly.
The defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens wanted to rebuild the defense, using their first four picks for that side of the ball. It started with Florida safety Matt Elam at the bottom of the first round.
The Cincinnati Bengals believed the key to taking the next step in the playoffs was adding more weapons on offense. There's no more excuses for quarterback Andy Dalton after the Bengals took the first tight end (Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert) and running back (North Carolina's Giovani Bernard) in this year's draft.
AFC North Draft Picks
• Baltimore Ravens
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Cleveland Browns
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Grade your team
And, in the first draft under their new regime, the Cleveland Browns obviously didn't like the depth of this draft, trading twice in the middle rounds to stockpile more picks in the 2014 draft. The Browns picked only two players (LSU linebacker Barkevious Mingo and San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden) in the first five rounds.
Here are some more thoughts on how the draft unfolded for the division ...
BEST MOVE
The Steelers had a top-five talent -- Jones -- fall into their laps at No. 17. So, how is that the "best move?" Pittsburgh invested a first-round pick in Jones when other teams were scared off by medical concerns and a poor pro-day workout. His fall is reminiscent of how Terrell Suggs fell in the 2003 draft, and you remember how that turned out.
Jones has the potential to be the best defensive player in this draft. He led the nation in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (24.5) and forced fumbles (seven) despite missing two games last season. His burst, strength and athleticism coming off the edge make him a perfect fit for the Steelers defense and the heir apparent to James Harrison.
There is a risk involved because he's previously been diagnosed as having stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal column that has shortened NFL careers. But the Steelers couldn't pass on a disruptive rusher like Jones. Since leading the NFL in sacks in 2010, the Steelers ranked 17th in 2011 and 15th in 2012. Taking Jones is the first step to turning the NFL's top-ranked defense into more of a playmaking one.
Making the best move doesn't mean the Steelers had the best draft in the AFC North. That honor goes to the Bengals. The Steelers reached in the second round by taking Bell, a finesse back who will remind many of Rashard Mendenhall. Pittsburgh chose Bell over more explosive backs like Alabama's Eddie Lacy and UCLA's Johnathan Franklin.
Outside of drafting Jones, the Steelers' other great move was trading up in the fourth round to select Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas, a high-energy and hard-hitting defensive back. Pittsburgh had to give up a 2014 third-round pick for him, but the Steelers could get a third-round compensatory pick next year for losing wide receiver Mike Wallace.
RISKIEST MOVE
[+] Enlarge
David Richard/USA TODAY SportsCleveland potentially boosted its pass rush by drafting Barkevious Mingo early in the first round.
David Richard/USA TODAY SportsCleveland potentially boosted its pass rush by drafting Barkevious Mingo early in the first round.These moves make sense because next year's draft should be deeper than this one, but this offers little immediate help to a franchise that has lost 57 games in the past five seasons. Plus, there are no guarantees that Lombardi or chief executive officer Joe Banner will be making those picks next year. The federal investigation into owner Jimmy Haslam's family-run truck stop business has put a cloud of uncertainty over the franchise.
Some can argue the Browns' first pick was a risky move as well. Instead of filling the team's biggest need with Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, the Browns went with the highest-rated player on their board, Mingo, a pass-rush menace with tremendous upside, at No. 6 overall. The decision was the right one, although I would feel better about it if the Browns addressed cornerback in free agency.
Sitting with a league-high $33 million in salary-cap room entering the draft, the Browns refused to spend money on a veteran starter, whether it was Brent Grimes, Sean Smith, Aqib Talib, Keenan Lewis or Cary Williams. Instead, it looks like the Browns will start either Buster Skrine or the 68th player taken in this draft (McFadden). According to ESPN Stats & Information, Cleveland allowed 22 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers last season, tied for second-most in the NFL.
It was a quiet final day for the Browns. Cleveland used a sixth-round pick on Notre Dame free safety Jamoris Slaughter, who hasn't fully recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and a seventh-rounder on defensive end Armonty Bryant, a character risk from East Central Oklahoma.
MOST SURPRISING MOVE
The Bengals were full of surprises, and I mean that in a good way. Everyone knew the Bengals were going to take a safety, linebacker or running back in the first round. Wrong. Cincinnati went with the draft's best tight end, Eifert, with the No. 21 overall pick even though they drafted Jermaine Gresham with the No. 21 overall pick three years ago. Eifert is a matchup nightmare for defenses, from the red zone to deep downfield. The Bengals took advantage of a draft that featured a run of offensive linemen and pass-rushers in the top 20. That allowed Eifert, the best offensive playmaker in the draft behind Tavon Austin, to fall unexpectedly to Cincinnati.
The Bengals delivered a milder surprise in the second round, when they made Bernard the first running back taken. Rated as the fourth-best back in this draft by Mel Kiper Jr., Bernard has the chance to be the next Ray Rice. Later in the second round, Cincinnati added to an already deep defensive line with Southern Methodist's Margus Hunt, a world-class discus thrower. In total, the Bengals brought in three of the best athletes at their positions, which is a strong foundation for any draft.
FILE IT AWAY
The Ravens solidified the middle of their defense for years to come with their first three picks: Elam, Kansas State inside linebacker Arthur Brown and Missouri Southern State's Brandon Williams. The problem is the Ravens did nothing of significance to improve their wide receiver group. (They drafted Elon's Aaron Mellette in the seventh round.) Baltimore gave quarterback Joe Flacco a $120.6 million contract and then took away his go-to receiver in Anquan Boldin. The Ravens didn't replace him in free agency and, as of the start of the seventh round, didn't draft a wide receiver. Baltimore's first pick on an offensive player was Harvard fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
The only proven receivers on the roster are Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones, who is more of a returner than a starting wideout. Of the remaining receivers -- Tandon Doss, David Reed, Tommy Streeter, Deonte Thompson and LaQuan Williams -- none was drafted in the first three rounds and two went undrafted. It's a group that has combined for 21 receptions and one touchdown. That said, please spare me the repeated questions about the Ravens' signing Chad Johnson or Terrell Owens.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife and son.
