NFL Draft: Biggest Needs AFC North Edition with FA Breakdown

Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Connecticut Huskies defensive back Obi Melifonwu jumps up to stretch his legs before running the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports NFL Draft /

We’re rounding the corner when it comes to NFL Draft week and with the amount of mock draft changes we’ve seen, it’s starting to get out of hand. Today, let’s take a look at the AFC North! If you’ve missed any of our recent pieces regarding the draft be sure to click on the divisions below!

Also, follow us on twitter @FantasyCPR, and be sure to let us know what you think will happen on Thursday night!

With the draft rapidly approaching, join us as we break down the worst team in the NFL last season…

NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns

Jan 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Ed Reynolds (39) misses an interception attempt on a deflection during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Browns haven’t done much in regards to player additions, but the eleven picks they have in the 2017 NFL Draft can hopefully elevate their play.

Now they did bring in a couple of players:

Traded for former Texans QB, Brock Osweiler
Signed OG Kevin Zeitler from the Bengals
Re-signed OG Joel Bitonio
Signed former Rams WR, Kenny Britt

Even though the offensive line addition of Zeitler and bringing Joel Bitonio back was huge, they still need a whole heap of help before this team can become competitive.

Biggest Need: Pick a Position…

The Browns need a quarterback, wide receivers, and every defensive position you can think of. They don’t really have the option to pick and choose players that could fit their system because that system doesn’t exist yet.

That’s why the rumor of them taking Mitch Trubisky first overall hurts my brain! This would pretty much convince me that Cleveland loves living in a horrendous downward spiral.

Draft: Possible Pick (#1 overall): Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in game action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Texas A&M won 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

If the Browns pass on a unique player like Garrett, their franchise deserves to be questioned. Garrett is a freak of nature! He’s a natural rusher who also contains explosive behaviors when coming off the edge.

Garrett is a legitimate threat to get to the quarterback on every play. He’s a player the Browns need to help turn around their defensive tendencies. They already have Joe Haden and Jamie Collins add a couple more explosive players to this defense and it’d be a great start.

Draft: Possible Pick (#12 overall): Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws as Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Davin Bellamy (17) is upended behind him during the fourth quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Georgia won 33-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

If Mitch goes before the 12th pick the other teams can have him. The Browns should not have to trade up to get a player like Trubisky.

I’ve been very critical of the quarterbacks in this NFL Draft and that’s because I see a very small skill gap between the first round QBs and Josh Dobbs, a projected third rounder. However, all the other experts are high on Trubisky, and who am I to shut down the Browns draft plans.

NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals

Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) watches from the bench during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bengals had a down year last season, and now that the tides have washed them into the sea, a small rebuild is in order. Luckily, with the ninth overall pick, the Bengals can get an impact player right away.

Their additions have been somewhat minuscule this offseason. They signed recent Arizona Cardinals LB Kevin Minter who should add some depth, but the major signing to me was them bringing back WR, Brandon Lafell.

Lafell had the second best season of his career last season (Patriots, 2014). The pairing of him and A.J. Green turned out to be a great match, even though we only saw the paring in a little over half of the season.

If Tyler Eifert can get, and stay, healthy next season, this trio could wreak some havoc on the weak secondaries that await in this division.

Biggest Needs: Offensive and Defensive line help

The Bengals were in the bottom half of the league when it came to sacking opposing quarterbacks last season. Without a solid pass rush, QBs like Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco can pick you apart.

Draft: Possible Pick (1): Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Due to Reuben Foster’s off-field issues, this is probably his absolute ceiling when it comes to his overall draft slot. He’s undoubtedly a top-ten player but the issues are going to push him back just like we saw last year with Laremy Tunsil.

Also, on top of the off-field issues, possible injury could cause him to fall even further, but he’s no doubt a great player when on the field. We’ll just have to see how this draft goes, but he’d make an outstanding addition to the Bengals roster.

Draft: Possible Pick (2): Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) and Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Avery Gennesy (65) in action during the game at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Barnett made the SEC all-conference team three times in three years while playing for the Volunteers, which is hard to do! His hand usage might be the best in this year’s NFL Draft class.

As an edge rusher, Barnett is ready to start right out of the gate, and I wouldn’t be surprised if his named got called earlier than this on Thursday night.

NFL Draft: Baltimore Ravens

Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Michael Campanaro (12) and cornerback Tavon Young (36) and tight end Nick Boyle (86) take the field to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The Ravens couldn’t seem to stay consistent last season. They were a couple big plays away from propelling themselves into the post-season, but their offense was lacking.

So far this off-season, they haven’t done a whole lot. A name to highlight would be former Cowboys CB, Brandon Carr. Carr is a good cornerback who could help that secondary add depth, but not a star.

Biggest Need: Standout Receiver

The Ravens recently added Danny Woodhead as well, but the lack of star power on the offensive end has caught up with them in the past. The receiving core is headed by 30-year-old Mike Wallace and as we saw last season once Steve Smith went down, it was hard for him to carry the load on his own.

Sadly for Baltimore, the standout receivers of this class should be gone by their pick (depending on if quarterback start to go early). Also, with John Ross’ stock taking a hit due to durability issues, they may not want to commit to him at number sixteen overall. He may be gone as well with the way these teams have flip-flopped on draftees they like.

They will probably end up taking the best available.

Draft: Possible Pick: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Robinson is one of the best, if not the best, run blocking OT in this whole draft class. For a team like the Ravens, establishing the run game early is important because as of now, that backfield doesn’t look too scary.

Robinson can help add a serious stone to that offensive line and that’s something every team could use.

NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers

Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) reacts against the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

The Steelers couldn’t seem to figure out the New England Patriots last season when they came face-to-face with defeat in the Conference Championship game.

So far, they’ve brought on former:

Chiefs/Packers RB Knile Davis
Jaguars DE Tyson Alualu

and luckily Big Ben stated that he’s coming back as well which is music to the Steelers fans ears. Without Big Ben this offense wouldn’t be shot completely, I mean, they still have Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell but the familiarity of the Killer Bees is bar none.

Biggest Needs: Edge Rusher/Cornerbacks

On the flip side, this team needs serious help on the defense end of the ball. James Harrison, although still competing at a high level, is 95 years old, and the loss of Lawrence Timmons to the Dolphins really hurts.

Timmons combined for 233 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions in the past two seasons. He led the Steelers in tackles in 2016, and that’s not just something that can be overlooked.

Draft: Possible Pick (1): T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) walks off the field after being defeated by the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Penn State won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Now, I’ve already discussed the impact T.J. Watt can make on an NFL Franchise and his ceiling so if you want a more in-depth look, click here!

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But T.J. looks to be one of the next versatile pass rusher/drop back LBs in the league. He’s someone who could be hard to stop coming off the edge, and someone they can pair with Ryan Shazier nicely.

Draft: Possible Pick (2): Deshone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

Mentioned above was that fact that Big Ben considered calling it quits after last season, and that isn’t going to stop in the years to follow. Kizer could be a good replacement for Roethlisberger in the future.

Deshone has a nice QB frame and a big arm, which is similar to Ben. He needs some time to develop and that’s why he could fit with the Steelers right now and come in when Roethlisberger actually decides to call it quits.

Next: NFL Draft - NFC East Breakdown

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