Post Draft Preview—AFC North



Now that the NFL Draft is over, we're moving closer to the start of the new NFL Season. It seems a good time to take a look at these teams, post draft, to see where they're at. Over the next eight weeks, I'll be looking at one division at a time. Today, it's the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens
Key Draft Picks: Marquise Brown, WR, Miles Boykin, WR, Justice Hill, RB, Jaylon Ferguson, DE
About: The Ravens finished the season strong, riding rookie Lamar Jackson into the playoffs. They didn't win, but it became clear the Jackson was going to be the future, the Ravens had work to do. They shipped out Joe Flacco, and drafted receivers and a running back in Hill. They also signed Mark Ingram, and are hoping to be poised to take a step forward in Year Two with Jackson.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Draft Picks: Devin Bush, LB, Benny Snell, Jr., RB, Diontae Johnson, WR, Justin Layne, CB
About: The Steelers somewhat imploded in 2018 after coming in with lofty expectations. Le'Veon Bell decided to hold out all season, Antonio Brown became a bit of a head case and the team missed the playoffs. But they're turning the page. Bell is a Jet, Brown is a Raider, and now it's all about Juju Smith-Schuster, James Conner, and the new weapons. The team needs James Washington, Johnson and free agent Donte Moncrief to step up. And the Steelers have to hope picks like Bush and Layne can improve their defensive performance.

Cleveland Browns
Key Draft Picks: Greedy Williams, CB, Mack Wilson, LB
About: The Browns, for the first time in years, didn't make big moves in the draft because they made big moves in free agency. The Browns traded for Odell Beckham, Jr., signed Kareem Hunt and appear poised to make a run. They ended 2018 strong, and with Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, OBJ and David Njoku joining Baker Mayfield, the Browns might have the horses to get it done. And they used what draft capital they had to add pieces to an already improving defense, so this is a team that might be ready to make a run for the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals
Key Draft Picks: Jonah Williams, OT, Drew Sample, TE, Ryan Findley, QB
About: The Bengals had a miserable 2018, one that led the Bengals to make a change at head coach. Now new coach Zac Taylor faces a challenge. The Bengals still have Joe Mixon, A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd and potentially Tyler Eifert. Can Andy Dalton put it together? Can the Bengals make some noise? I think it's going to be another long season for Bengals fans.

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