For the past week, I asked the AFC North blog family to choose who should be the first-round picks for the division teams in a series called "You Make the Call." Here are the results along with commentary from a fan and myself:
4. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Fans' pick: RB Trent Richardson, Alabama (73 percent)
Hensley's pick: Richardson
Reader's comment (AlChuckles): I want Richardson. [He] will touch the ball 20-25 times a game and make the entire offense better not only with his running, but blocking and catching the ball out of the backfield.
Hensley's comment: The Browns need to take the only elite running back in this draft and worry about wide receiver either later in the first round or in the second.
17. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Fans' pick: G David DeCastro, Stanford (63 percent)
Hensley's pick: DeCastro
Reader's comment (brianpetzel): I think it's a no-brainer to pick DeCastro if he's there. You need to protect your new star quarterback and help the running game. He'll be a Pro Bowl player, I believe. The second option would be Courtney Upshaw because Mark Barron and Quinton Coples will be gone by then. He'll really help an improving defense.
Hensley's comment: There's no question that the Bengals would take DeCastro at this spot. The big question is whether or not he falls. I think it's a 50-50 proposition at this point.
21. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Fans' pick: CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina (34 percent)
Hensley's pick: WR Kendall Wright, Baylor
Reader's comment (Phat1963): Everything I'm reading has Gilmore flying up the board the last couple of days -- a top-10 pick by some. But yeah, who was the consensus at No. 17 would determine my vote at No. 21. But any combination that includes a cornerback, wide receiver or guard.
Hensley's comment: I would agree that Gilmore seems more like a pipe dream at this point because he's been a fast riser since the poll was put together. If I could alter the poll, I would've added wide receiver Stephen Hill. At this point, the Bengals need a No. 2 wide receiver and should take Wright.
22. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Fans' pick: WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech (34 percent)
Hensley's pick: OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford
Reader's comment (Bostwickbunch): Definitely draft Hill here. A big body and the deep threat that we need. Then trade up from No. 37 for quarterback Brandon Weeden.
Hensley's comment: There's a strong temptation to take a wide receiver at this point. But the Browns can address wide receiver in the second round because it's one of the deepest positions in the draft. The smart move is to fill the void at right tackle.
24. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Fans' pick: LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama (58 percent)
Hensley's pick: G Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State
Reader's comment (steelersftw7) : If Hightower is available, the Steelers will draft him not because inside linebacker is the biggest need but because he has the most talent out of anyone who will be available. I mean, if someone better is there, the Steelers will take him. But Hightower looks like he will be the most talented.
Hensley's comment: I went outside the box on this one. The Steelers have put more emphasis on the offensive line, and Silatolu might end up being the second-best guard in this draft behind DeCastro. He's a tough and nasty mauler. In other words, he's an AFC North lineman.
29. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Fans' pick: LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama (42 percent), C Peter Konz, Wisconsin (24 percent)
Hensley's pick: LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Reader's comment (garrettbaldwinespn): The Ravens would have to trade up to No. 22 or No. 23 to get Hightower. Though I'd be really happy if they just took best player available, because someone good is going to fall.
Hensley's comment: I think there is a good chance that Hightower will get selected even before the Steelers are on the clock. Under that scenario, the Ravens would be happy to get Upshaw, who replaces Jarret Johnson and makes an immediate impact on Baltimore's pass rush.
4. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Fans' pick: RB Trent Richardson, Alabama (73 percent)
Hensley's pick: Richardson
Reader's comment (AlChuckles): I want Richardson. [He] will touch the ball 20-25 times a game and make the entire offense better not only with his running, but blocking and catching the ball out of the backfield.
Hensley's comment: The Browns need to take the only elite running back in this draft and worry about wide receiver either later in the first round or in the second.
17. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Fans' pick: G David DeCastro, Stanford (63 percent)
Hensley's pick: DeCastro
Reader's comment (brianpetzel): I think it's a no-brainer to pick DeCastro if he's there. You need to protect your new star quarterback and help the running game. He'll be a Pro Bowl player, I believe. The second option would be Courtney Upshaw because Mark Barron and Quinton Coples will be gone by then. He'll really help an improving defense.
Hensley's comment: There's no question that the Bengals would take DeCastro at this spot. The big question is whether or not he falls. I think it's a 50-50 proposition at this point.
21. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Fans' pick: CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina (34 percent)
Hensley's pick: WR Kendall Wright, Baylor
Reader's comment (Phat1963): Everything I'm reading has Gilmore flying up the board the last couple of days -- a top-10 pick by some. But yeah, who was the consensus at No. 17 would determine my vote at No. 21. But any combination that includes a cornerback, wide receiver or guard.
Hensley's comment: I would agree that Gilmore seems more like a pipe dream at this point because he's been a fast riser since the poll was put together. If I could alter the poll, I would've added wide receiver Stephen Hill. At this point, the Bengals need a No. 2 wide receiver and should take Wright.
22. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Fans' pick: WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech (34 percent)
Hensley's pick: OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford
Reader's comment (Bostwickbunch): Definitely draft Hill here. A big body and the deep threat that we need. Then trade up from No. 37 for quarterback Brandon Weeden.
Hensley's comment: There's a strong temptation to take a wide receiver at this point. But the Browns can address wide receiver in the second round because it's one of the deepest positions in the draft. The smart move is to fill the void at right tackle.
24. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Fans' pick: LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama (58 percent)
Hensley's pick: G Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State
Reader's comment (steelersftw7) : If Hightower is available, the Steelers will draft him not because inside linebacker is the biggest need but because he has the most talent out of anyone who will be available. I mean, if someone better is there, the Steelers will take him. But Hightower looks like he will be the most talented.
Hensley's comment: I went outside the box on this one. The Steelers have put more emphasis on the offensive line, and Silatolu might end up being the second-best guard in this draft behind DeCastro. He's a tough and nasty mauler. In other words, he's an AFC North lineman.
29. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Fans' pick: LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama (42 percent), C Peter Konz, Wisconsin (24 percent)
Hensley's pick: LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Reader's comment (garrettbaldwinespn): The Ravens would have to trade up to No. 22 or No. 23 to get Hightower. Though I'd be really happy if they just took best player available, because someone good is going to fall.
Hensley's comment: I think there is a good chance that Hightower will get selected even before the Steelers are on the clock. Under that scenario, the Ravens would be happy to get Upshaw, who replaces Jarret Johnson and makes an immediate impact on Baltimore's pass rush.
- ESPN AFC North Blogger
- A University of Maryland graduate
- Lives in the Baltimore area with his wife
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.
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