The 2016 NFL Draft is over, and AFC North teams filled needs and built for the future.
NFL Draft grades 2016: Were the Browns winners or losers in the AFC North?
Analysts liked the draft outcomes for the Ravens and Bengals, while the Steelers’ and Browns’ decisions raised some questions.
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
The Baltimore Ravens needed a tackle after letting Kelechi Osemele walk in free agency. Osemele had been a guard, but the Ravens played him at tackle last season, and had he been retained, they were planning to convert him to tackle permanently. Baltimore also needed pass rush help and players to bolster its secondary.
After winning the division last year, and then losing both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu to free agency, the Cincinnati Bengals needed to address the receiver position in particular to keep their offense functioning at a high level in 2016. The Bengals also needed a cornerback, interior offensive line help and a defensive tackle.
It's a new era in Cleveland (yet again), as new head coach Hue Jackson and executive vice president of player personnel Sashi Brown looked to stock a depleted roster with necessary talent. They had a lot of picks to work with after trading the second overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, who used it to select quarterback Carson Wentz. Cleveland added to its pile of picks when it traded back again in the first round.
Pittsburgh needed to add talent to its secondary, and it also needed receivers and a defensive tackle. The Steelers finished the 2015 season 30th in the league for passing yards allowed, so safety and corner were top priorities.
How did each AFC North team fare in the 2016 draft?
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens needed a tackle, and after the controversial video of Laremy Tunsil surfaced on draft night, it seemed like a gift for Baltimore that he remained on the board by the time they were on the clock. They passed on Tunsil, opting instead for Ronnie Stanley out of Notre Dame, who is also a good option. The Ravens ended up trading back twice and stockpiling picks, allowing them to address a lot of needs in this draft. The analysts generally were impressed by Baltimore’s outcome.
Dan Kadar, SB Nation - B+
Mel Kiper, ESPN - A
Chad Reuter, NFL.com - A-
Chris Burke & Doug Farrar, SI - B+
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports - B+
Steve Palazzolo, PFF - B+
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals would have likely considered Corey Coleman, Laquon Treadwell, Josh Doctson or Will Fuller had any of them still been on the board by the time they were on the clock in the first round, but they picked right after Fuller, Treadwell and Doctson were drafted. Instead of reaching for another receiver, the Bengals wisely addressed their needs at cornerback, selecting the speedy William Jackson III out of Houston. Cincinnati did add two receivers later in the draft, and also got defensive tackle Andrew Billings in the fourth, which was a great value. Overall, the analysts liked the Bengals’ approach in this draft.
Dan Kadar, SB Nation - B
Mel Kiper, ESPN - A-
Chad Reuter, NFL.com, - B-
Chris Burke & Doug Farrar, SI - A+
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports - B+
Steve Palazzolo, PFF - A-
The Browns had a lot of needs to fill, and Sashi Brown said they would go with a best-player-available approach. They started with wide receiver Corey Coleman in the first round, a speedy playmaker with big play potential. Adding versatile offensive lineman Spencer Drango out of Baylor in the fifth round was a great value pick. The Browns ended up with 14 picks overall in this draft, and most analysts thought they could have used them a little more wisely.
Dan Kadar, SB Nation - C+
Mel Kiper, ESPN - C
Chad Reuter, NFL.com- B+
Chris Burke & Doug Farrar, SI - C+
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports - C-
Steve Palazzolo, PFF - A
Pittsburgh Steelers
The selection of big, athletic cornerback Artie Burns out of Miami in the first round was considered a reach by some, even though Burns fills a definite need for the Steelers. Pittsburgh systematically addressed deficiencies on its roster, and most analysts acknowledged that the Steelers’ third-round pick, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, was a steal. Questions about Burns’ fit with the Steelers’ defense impacted Pittsburgh’s overall grades.
Dan Kadar, SB Nation - B-
Mel Kiper, ESPN- B
Chad Reuter, NFL.com - A-
Chris Burke & Doug Farrar, SI - B
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports - B
Steve Palazzolo, PFF - C-
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