Normally I write a lengthy review for each team’s draft. This summer I had a couple of projects that really ate into my time and put me behind schedule. I will instead just post some quick thoughts for each division. My apologies for the lack of posts this summer.
Here is the AFC North …
BALTIMORE RAVENS
2 – LB Courtney Upshaw – Alabama – 6-2, 272
2 – OT Kelechi Osemele – Iowa State – 6-6, 333
3 – RB Bernard Pierce – Temple – 6-0, 218
4 – C Gino Gradkowski – Delaware – 6-3, 300
4 – FS Christian Thompson – SC State – 6-0, 211
5 – CB Asa Jackson – Cal Poly – 5-10, 191
6 – WR Tommy Streeter – Miami – 6-5, 219
7 – DT Deangelo Tyson – Georgia – 6-2, 315
Not every Ravens pick pans out, but they almost all make sense. That’s certainly true with the 2012 class. Upshaw can help right away. Terrell Suggs will miss part of the season, if not a lot. The Ravens need help and Upshaw is there to step in right away. Pierce is the kind of RB who should fit their offense well. The most interesting pick was Gradkowski. He went ahead of some bigger name guys. It will be interesting to see how he pans out vs some guys he was taken ahead of.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
1 – CB Dre Kirkpatrick – Alabama – 6-2, 186
1 – OG Kevin Zeitler – Wisconsin – 6-4, 314
2 – DT Devon Still – Penn State – 6-5, 303
3 – WR Mohammed Sanu – Rutgers – 6-2, 211
3 – DT Brandon Thompson – Clemson – 6-2, 314
4 – TE Orson Charles – Georgia – 6-3, 251
5 – CB Shaun Prater – Iowa – 5-10, 190
5 – WR Marvin Jones – Cal – 6-2, 199
5 – FS George Ilaoka – Boise State – 6-4, 225
6 – RB Dan Herron – Ohio State – 5-10, 213
The Bengals followed their normal playbook. They took players who fell. The names look great, but you always wonder why some guys did get passed over. Were the Bengals getting great value or did they not know/care about issues that other teams did? I love the additions of Sanu and Jones. Those 2 WRs could help Cincy rebuild their receiver corps. DC Mike Zimmer had some success with a big Safety (Roy Williams) when he was in Dallas. It will be interesting to see how he uses Ilaoka.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
1 – RB Trent Richardson – Alabama – 5-9, 225
1 – QB Brandon Weeden – Okla. State – 6-4, 221
2 – OT Mitchell Schwartz – Cal – 6-5, 318
3 – DT John Hughes – Cincinnati – 6-2, 309
4 – WR Travis Benjamin – Miami – 5-10, 172
4 – LB James-Michael Johnson – 6-1, 241
5 – OG Ryan Miller – Colorado – 6-7, 321
6 – LB Emmanuel Acho – Texas – 6-2, 238
6 – DT Billy Winn – Boise State – 6-4, 294
7 – CB Trevin Wade – Arizona – 5-10, 192
7 – FB Brad Smelley – Alabama – 6-2, 238
Love the pick of T-Rich. Not so sure about Weeden in the 1st round. He will make or break this class. The Browns at least are making an effort to give him some weapons. The biggest head scratcher pick was Hughes in the 3rd round. He’s got some potential, but that felt like a major reach. JMJ was a pre-draft favorite of mine and could be a good pro. Curious to see if Miller’s future is at OG or RT.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
1 – OG David DeCastro – Stanford – 6-5, 315
2 – OT Mike Adams – Ohio State – 6-7, 323
3 – ILB Sean Spence – Miami – 5-11, 231
4 – NT Alameda Ta’amu – Washington – 6-3, 348
5 – RB Chris Rainey – Florida – 5-8, 180
7 – WR Toney Clemons – Colorado – 6-2, 210
7 – TE David Paulson – Oregon – 6-3, 246
7 – CB Terrence Frederick – Texas A&M – 5-10, 187
7 – OG Kelvin Beachum – SMU – 6-3, 303
How the heck did the Steelers come away with DeCastro and Adams? Feels like they got a pair of major steals. The OL has needed an upgrade in recent years. This could be the duo that really provides a boost. Spence was a ton of fun to watch, but I’ve got serious questions about him in the 3-4. He is tough as nails and that is a Steelers LB requirement. Curious to see if Ta’amu pans out at NT. He’s huge, but always seemed like more of a 1-gap DT than a pure NT. Watching him vs Stanford wasn’t pretty. Certainly worth the risk in the 3rd. Could be a good DE if he doesn’t pan out at NT.
