2015 AFC North Draft Grades

Pittsburgh Steelers

Grade: B

Best Pick: Round One-Bud Dupree-Outside Linebacker-Kentucky

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2015 National Football League Draft with several needs that had to be addressed. The Steelers have not been happy with the production that they’ve gotten from outside linebacker Jarvis Jones over the past three years as their organization is predicated off of the play of their linebackers. Outside linebacker Alvin “Bud” Dupree had top ten talent, but he fell to the Steelers late in the first round as they are looking for an impact player that can rush the quarterback. With the retirement of strong safety Troy Polamalu, the Steelers had a need there as well. In the second round, the Steelers selected safety Senquez Golson whom they are hopeful that will provide range on the back end of their defense. The third round saw the Steelers draft wide receiver Sammie Coates who if coached up properly has the potential to become a Pro Bowl caliber wide receiver.

The Steelers are a blue collar team in a blue collar town and this draft further illustrates that.

Baltimore Ravens

Grade: A+

Best Pick: Round Four: Buck Allen-Running Back-USC

“In Ozzie We Trust” is the mantra of many fans that follow the Baltimore Ravens and it was once again on display last weekend at the NFL Draft. Ozzie Newsome is the general manager of the Baltimore Ravens and he has a certain wizardry for finding talent in the NFL Draft.

The Ravens used their first round selection on Central Florida wide receiver Breshad Perriman whom they are hopeful will turn into a key part of their passing game. The second round saw the Ravens select tight end Maxx Williams who is a pass catching tight end and he can be a hybrid in Baltimore for their offense.

The Ravens traded longtime nose tackle Haloti Ngata to the Detroit Lions this off-season and they began the process of replacing him in the third of the draft by selecting defensive tackle Carl Davis.

The Ravens found a gem in the fourth round when they selected running back Javorious “Buck” Allen. Allen was a First-team, All Pac-12 performer last year at USC and he’ll be a player that the Ravens will be able to depend on for 20-25 carries per game.

This was the kind of draft for the Ravens that shows why they are a consistent playoff team in the AFC.

Cincinnati Bengals

Grade: B

Best Pick: Round Two-Jake Fisher-Offensive Tackle-Oregon

The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2015 NFL Draft without a glaring need as they were able to add some depth. The Bengals are not expected to give offensive tackles Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith contract extensions as they may have found their replacements in the first two rounds of the draft. The Bengals selected Texas A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi in the first round. Prior to his injury last season, Ogbuehi was pegged as a top ten pick and the Bengals are hopeful that he can live up to that potential. The second round saw the Bengals select Oregon offensive tackle Jake Fisher as Cincinnati is hopeful that they found their bookend tackles for the next few years.

Overall it was a good draft for the Bengals, but this organization will continue to be an afterthought until they’ll be able to do something worthwhile in January.

Cleveland Browns

Grade: B+

Best Pick: Round One-Danny Shelton-Defensive Tackle-Washington

The Cleveland Browns came into the 2015 NFL Draft with 12 draft picks and instead of going for sizzle, they opted for substance. The Browns got tougher in the trenches as this draft was all about the big uglies. And they don’t get any bigger than the nose tackle who the Browns drafted in the first round. At 6’2″, 339 lbs., Danny Shelton has a very thick frame and he’s also very agile as he’ll command double and triple teams. The Browns used their second pick in the first round on Florida State center Cameron Erving. Erving is very versatile as he can play multiple positions on the offensive line.

The third round saw the Browns select running back Duke Johnson who’ll bring some toughness to the Browns offense. And in the seventh round it was all about the Pac-12 Conference for the Browns as they selected USC inside linebacker Hayes Pullard and Oregon Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. Ekpre-Olomu had first round potential until a knee injury late in the 2014 college football season changed that. But being that the Browns drafted Ekpre-Olomu in the seventh round they can be patient as he is rehabbing.

It isn’t that often that the term good draft and the Browns are used in the same sentence, but Cleveland appeared to get it right in 2015.