AFC North Draft Review

Here is part two of my draft recaps. I am venturing into the AFC North this time, and this could be fun.
Baltimore Ravens (2007 record: 4-12)
Number of picks: 10
Best Pick: RB Ray Rice (55th overall)
Sleeper Watch: LB Tavares Gooden (71st overall)
Analysis: So they missed on Matt Ryan, so they traded down, than back up, to select Joe Flacco from Deleware. This choice has boom-or-bust potential. Flacco fits the bill (6'6, 236) but comes form division II, so he has not seen NFL-level competition. Enough scouts believe Flacco can excel, so who am I to question him? They used their second round pick on RB Ray Rice from Rutgers. Some question his abilities because of his size, but you can't deny his production. I think Goodmen has the speed and strength to excel in the Ravens hybrid 4-3/46 defence for a lot of years, and should strenghten the LB corps right away. Along the way they drafted two safeties, two wide receivers, two offensive lineman and another running back, so they shouldn't have any depth problems next season. Anything helps this team, that gave the Dolphins their only win.
Grade: C-


Cincinnati Bengals (2007 record 7-9)
Number of picks: 10
Best Pick: LB Keith Rivers (9th overall)
Sleeper Watch: DT Jason Shirley (145th overall)
Analysis: The Bengals went with the safe pick by selecting Rivers, and immediately fixed their defence. They went with an unknown WR in the second round, but believe his production could be enough to replace the departed Chris Henry. And, with the impending (maybe) trade of Chad Johnson, they drafted Andre Caldwell in the third round and another in the seventh. Shirley is a wild card, because he was the second DT chosen by the Bengals (Pat Sims). He is huge (6'5, 329) and has decent speed for his size. Could be a clogger for years to come. They also drafted a safety, a defensive end and a tight end. They focused heavily on defence, which they had to.
Grade: B+


Cleveland Browns (2007 record 10-6)
Number of picks: 5
Best pick: DT Ahtyba Rubin (190th overall)
Sleeper Watch: Rubin
Analysis: Due to a mass of trades prior to the draft, the Browns only had five picks. They spent thier first pick on ILB Beau Bell. Bell has good size and strength, and could join a very good young LB corps. They drafted TE Martin Rucker with their second pick. This is strictly a depth move, as they have Kellen Winslow Jr. This brings me to Rubin. You might be asking why my sleeper is also my best pick. The Browns use a 3-4 defence, and this requires a great nose tackle. Since Ted Washington is pretty much (if not) done, they drafted the massive Rubin to replace him. Thier other two picks were a defensive end and a wide receiver, basically for depth purposes.
Grade: C


Pittsburgh Steelers (2007 record: 10-6)
Number of picks: 7
Best Pick: RB Rashard Mendenhall (23rd overall)
Sleeper Watch: QB Dennis Dixon (156th overall)
Analysis: The Steelers were overjoyed that Mendenhall fell to them at 23. A bit of a weird pick, but he will pair with Willie Parker to form a great running game. They got another steal at 53 when WR Limas Sweed fell into their laps. Sweed gives them the size (6'4) and speed that they have lacked inrecent years. They drafted a lot of depth picks, including a defensive end, offensive tackle, linebacker and safety. This brings me to Dixon. Once a favourite to win the Heisman and go in the first round, Dixon fell off most boards when he tore his ACL. Apparently he has recovered, and could be groomed into a nice back up for Big Ben. Word is, he might be turned into the next Kordell Stewart, a hybrid between QB and WR.
Grade: A


In other news, the Raiders have parted ways with RB Dominic Rhodes. Stuck in a battle with 5 other guys in the Raiders backfield, Rhodes will probably get more work elsewhere anyway...The Panther have added DT Darwin Walker. When healthy, Walker can be a force, and should provide a great replacement for the traded Kris Jenkins.... The Eagles are sueing Terrell Owens for not paying back bonus money he owed the team...And finally, the Chargers add some offensive line depth by signing the massive L.J. Shelton. Tomorrow, it's AFC South time.