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The AFC North had an incredible draft. Lot’s of talent was added. The draft’s been graded and picked over and we will not be going over the "draft value" of the "draftees." We will instead be looking at players that were added and how they might benefit their respective teams.
The Potential Ratings are as follows:
5 – Star
4 – Starter/Major Contributor
3 – Contributor
2 – Roster Spot
1 – Practice Squad
0 – Washout
ST – Short Term
LT – Long Term
Let’s dive right in:
The Draft (AFC North Teams in draft order from last to first)
Round One:
No. 6 Andre Smith, OT, Alabama. So he did and said some stupid things at the combine and he doesn’t look good with his shirt off. But he can play the position and may be the most Pro-ready lineman in the draft.
At No. 6, I would have gone for one of the other OT’s that showed up to compete at the combine. But if he is not lazy and looking to win the lottery, he could be a force for years to come. 3.5 ST, 4.5 LT.
No. 21 Alex Mack, C, California. A player a lot of mock drafts had for the Steelers. The best of a really good center crop, should be the anchor and play caller for the Brown’s O-line. 3.5 ST, 4.5 LT.
No. 23 Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi. A book, a movie, and now a Raven? Well two out three’s not bad. Has character and talent, (should be a Steeler... oops.) he is an elite lineman for the hated Ravens. 3.5 ST, 4.5 LT.
Steelers
No. 32 Ziggy (Don’t call me Evander) Hood, DE, Missouri. Not the typical flagon of ale-and-meat-off-the-bone Steeler-type D-lineman. Has strength and motor, but also is a technique guy and more than a little cagey.
Good lateral movement off the initial bump. Maybe a switch up for Lebeau’s front three? Will get some time this year and could develop into something special. 3.5 ST, 4.5 LT.
Round Two:
Browns
No. 36 Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State University. The most Pro-ready wide receiver in the draft. Excellent hands, intimidating route running and incredible adjustment to errant throws. Look for Robiskie to share time with Cribbs, who will probably play a lot of slot. 3.75 ST, 4.7 LT.
Bengals
No. 38 Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC. Yeesh, pain in the ass alert. An incredible pick by the Bungals for once. An interior linebacker who can get to edge that quick? Won just about every award there was to win. 4.58/40? Why couldn’t this guy have gone to some NFC team? The Rams, maybe? 3.5 ST, 4.5 LT.
Browns
No. 50 Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia. I guess the fear of losing Braylon Edwards can do strange things to you. A guy that couldn’t catch Matthew Stafford’s passes? Good luck in the NFL, pal. With Deon Butler, Derrick Williams, Mike Wallace and others available... why? Why? 2.0 ST, 2.75 LT.
Browns (Yes, the stinking Browns again)
No. 52 David Veikune, OLB, Hawaii. Mocker’s hated this pick. Screw those guys. If you think a guy can be an instant contributor in a position, you pick him. Veikune was relentless in college and will give the Browns a situational edge-rusher this season and a probable starter in the near future and beyond. 3.0 ST, 4.0 LT.
Ravens
No. 57 Paul Kruger, DE, Utah. A situational pass rusher in a team of pass rushers. Will be bringing it from the edge when his number is called. 2.0 ST, 3.0 LT.
Steelers
Zip, zero, nada, traded away. But we came roaring back in Round Three and the later rounds.
Round Three:
Bengals
No. 70 Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech. The Bengals think they got something special here in a 6-7 guy with 4.6/40 speed. I don’t think so. He is sack happy, not fundamentally sound, gets blown away on run plays and double-teams and watches the game for long stretches of time. 1.75 ST, 2.5 LT.
Steelers
No. 79 Kraig Urbik OT, Wisconsin. This is the Steelers “Oh crap! All the offensive linemen are almost gone!” pick. I think the Steelers thought there would be a lot of high quality OT’s left in this deep draft. They snagged the last one, not counting Jamon Meredith.
They flashed on angry Steeler Country Villagers with pitchforks and torches outside Heinz Field. As it is, Urbik is a great fit. A tough guy. He blows people off the line in run blocking and has potential to develop as a good pass blocker.
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