The 2016 NFL Draft is almost here and the Baltimore Ravens hope to once again rule the AFC North. The AFC North is always one of the toughest divisions in football. Sure, the Cleveland Browns are never good but they always manage to at least make it interesting (the more interesting they make it the more you have to worry about your team). The Bengals and Steelers provide the Ravens with four grueling battles. In 60 minute increments the most heated contests in the NFL occur in the AFC North.
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With the NFL Draft quickly approaching it is time to look at the needs for each AFC North team. How can each team get better and how will these potential improvements impact the divisional power struggle. How will the draft impact the AFC North’s teams in their pursuit of a shot in the playoffs?
The Ravens, Steelers and Bengals are not strangers to the playoffs. While the Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since I was one year old, Marvin Lewis has gotten his team six chances in the postseason. The Ravens are looking to become as familiar with the playoffs as they were from 2008-2012 where they one at least one playoff game every year. I don’t have to tell you about the Steelers playoff success, find any Steelers fan and they’ll tell you how many championships they have won (without being asked). The three AFC powers from the same division hope to get to the playoffs in 2016. The NFL Draft is a good first step for the Ravens and their rivals.
Next: Cleveland Browns Draft Needs
Cleveland Browns Draft Needs: QB, WR, DB
First of all the Browns need a quarterback. This is the position that they can’t seem to figure out. They hoped that Johnny Manziel would be the answer, yet he has probably spent more time in Vegas than he did on the field so far in his NFL career. The Browns need a quarterback. The only question is whether or not they will take yet another chance on one in the first round.
There seems to be a lot of buzz about Carson Wentz going number two overall to the Browns. While it seems inevitable that the Browns will take a quarterback and it seems even more inevitable that said quarterback will fail in the most frustrating way possible; I am not sold on the quarterbacks in this draft class. With Wentz it seems like they are trying to build him into the perfect quarterback because he looks the part. I am not in love with his mechanics. With Paxton Lynch I see potential but I see a project. With Goff, I see talent but he struggled against the actually challenging defenses on Cal’s schedule. I worry that Goff is more likely to be the next Kyle Boller than the next Aaron Rodgers, so a double check on him may be a good idea.
The Browns could be bold and draft a wide receiver in the first round. That seems unlikely as the wide receivers draft stock has collectively (and somewhat frustratingly) plummeted at the NFL Combine. Jalen Ramsey is an option for them as well. Remember Justin Gilbert has been as troubling as any problem the Browns have had. He is just not a good player. It looks like they will go quarterback but there are other options.
Next: Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Needs
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Needs DB, OL, DL
So I can remain objective about the Steelers draft needs the picture totally had to be Big Ben taking a big hit from the Ravens. With that out of the way we can talk some Steelers football (if we have to). The Steelers secondary is their most desperate need. There was a day when they didn’t have to worry about it because Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu took care of business. Those days are over and Ryan Mallet just torched the Steelers pass defense this past December. They need help at cornerback and at the safety positions.
The Steelers have a surplus of offensive talent. Antonio Brown leads a solid receiving corps. Ben Roethlisberger is as dangerous as any quarterback in football. Le’Veon Bell is one of the most exciting running backs in football. The Steelers could focus on the offensive line in the NFL Draft. Otherwise they should focus on the defensive side of the football.
The Steelers defense is not as dominant as it once was. The pass rush was improved in 2015. If the Steelers can bulk up in their defensive front and fix their secondary they will have a strong 2016 team. It looks like the Steelers will be a playoff caliber team in 2016 and the NFL Draft could make them better.
Next: Cincinnati Bengals Draft Needs
Cincinnati Bengals Draft Needs: WR, DB, LB
The Bengals may need to replace a Marvin Jones or Mohammed Sanu who are free agent wide receivers. They play in a division with Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger so the secondary is always something they need to focus on. The Bengals could also look at the linebacker position. There are a lot of ways the Bengals could go in this draft.
The Bengals are in perfect draft position to draft a receiver like Laquon Treadwell. This is mind-boggling to me because I covet Treadwell as a top ten talent but the draft value is not based on my opinion. The 24th overall pick would also be good value for Reggie Ragland who is an outstanding linebacker from Alabama. Eli Apple could be available there at the cornerback spot.
The Bengals have a number of ways they could go. We will have a good idea of what the Bengals are thinking when Free Agency mania has passed. For now they remain one of the true wild cards in the draft.
Next: Baltimore Ravens Draft Needs
Baltimore Ravens Draft Needs DB, WR, Pass Rush
In my latest mock draft I had Noah Spence going to the Ravens. With the sixth overall pick pass rush makes the most sense. If Jalen Ramsey, the defensive back from FSU is on the board the Ravens should take him. Otherwise the Ravens should probably take Spence as he is the best pass rusher available.
If you have been following my draft coverage than you know I passionately believe the Ravens need a star receiver. I think Treadwell is the best playmaker in the draft. Don’t be shocked if the Ravens agree with me and trade back to get him at a better value. Steve Smith Sr. is a short-term answer at the wide receiver position.
Next: Baltimore Ravens: 5 Reasons To Appreciate Joe Flacco
The Ravens pass defense has been the biggest area of need. If the Ravens cannot get their cornerback in Jalen Ramsey, I think they add to their arsenal of pass rushers. Spence fits the Ravens defense better than any other pass rushing prospect. I don’t want an offensive tackle in the first round of this draft. I don’t like Ronnie Stanley or Laremy Tunsil much. Plus, I think the Ravens problems on the offensive line are going to look overblown in hindsight.