While the Browns received high grades, the rest of the division received mixed reviews.
The Cleveland Browns have had an entire week to exhale after a dramatic finish to last week’s NFL Draft. The Browns pulled off the most talked-about selection when they traded up in the fifth round to draft Shedeur Sanders to round out their class.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, they still find themselves in perhaps the most competitive division in the NFL: the AFC North. Their divisional foes have mostly received grades in the middle of the pack by draft experts since its conclusion.
If you are anything like me, it always seems the Ravens and Steelers draft players I wanted the Browns to draft. That wasn’t the case so much this year, but I do think they all fared pretty well.
While the Steelers are waiting on a final decision from Aaron Rodgers, it didn’t stop them from taking a quarterback. Now is a good time to look at what the rest of the division added to their rosters.
Cincinnati Bengals
DE Shemar Stewart – Round 1 (17)
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. – Round 2 (49)
G Dylan Fairchild – Round 3 (81)
LB Barrett Carter – Round 4 (119)
OT Jalen Rivers – Round 5 (153)
RB Tahj Brooks – Round 6 (193)
Bottom Line: The Bengals added players that should all carve out early roles and help them on the field. Brooks was an underrated back in this deep class, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up with a lot of carries over the next few years. Ultimately, the success of this class will hinge on what Stewart can become, as his upside is tremendous and could eventually become Trey Hendrickson’s replacement.
Baltimore Ravens
S Malaki Starks – Round 1 (27)
ED Mike Green – Round 2 (59)
OL Emery Jones – Round 3 (91)
LB Teddye Buchanan – Round 4 (129)
OT Carson Vinson – Round 5 (141)
CB Bilhal Kone – Round 6 (178)
K Tyler Loop – Round 6 (186)
WR LaJohntay Wester – Round 6 (203)
DT Aeneas Peebles – Round 6 (210)
CB Robert Longerbeam – Round 6 (212)
G Garrett Dellinger – Round 7 (243)
Bottom Line: The Ravens gain two immediate starters on the defense. Green was my ninth-ranked player overall and fell to the second round due to off-the-field issues. They also added several developmental prospects who may have starting potential down the road with their mid-round picks..
Pittsburgh Steelers
DT Derrick Harmon – Round 1 (21)
RB Kaleb Johnson – Round 3 (83)
DE Jack Sawyer – Round 4 (123)
DT Yahya Black – Round 5 (164)
QB Will Howard – Round 6 (185)
LB Carson Bruener – Round 7 (226)
CB Donte Kent – Round 7 (229)
Bottom Line: This class was a heartbreaker for Buckeye fans, but time will tell if Howard or Sawyer has the traits to become starters at their positions. Harmon, paired next to Keeanu Benton, could become a real problem for the entire AFC North over the next few years. Johnson will pair with Jaylen Warren to form their committee in the backfield right away.
Do any of these draft classes give you any concerns for the Browns? Which players did you hate seeing land on a division rival? Let us know in the comments below.