2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Matt Miller's Latest Mock for Each AFC North Team

Bleacher Report's resident college football scout and NFL draft expert Matt Miller released his most recent first round mock draft over the weekend, which means it's time for me to take a look at who he has projected the four teams in the AFC North to select. Here are my thoughts on his predictions this week.

Cleveland Browns (Round 1, Pick 4)

Matt's projection: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama; My projection: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

While there is some reason to believe the Cleveland Browns could trade up to No. 2 and take Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III with their first round pick, I'm not yet convinced that this is the most likely scenario.

Instead, I see them grabbing Alabama running back Trent Richardson, and Miller has come to the same conclusion.

Richardson is one of the best—if not the best—running back prospect to come around in many seasons and the Browns need to pick up an impact player if they are going to turn their franchise around in the competitive AFC North division.

While I believe they will pick up Richardson and let impending free agent running back Peyton Hills find a new home, even if they extend Hillis it will be to a moderate deal and it won't ultimately affect their decision to draft Richardson. He's going to be the best available player on the board and it would be shocking were the Browns to take a pass on him.

Cincinnati Bengals (Round 1, Pick 17)

Matt's projection: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia; My projection: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Cincinnati Bengals' No. 17 overall pick comes courtesy of the Oakland Raiders, who gave them their 2012 first round pick in trade for quarterback Carson Palmer during the 2011 season.

Miller has the Bengals taking Georgia guard Cordy Glenn with this pick, citing Pro Football Focus' ranking of their two starting guards at No. 23 and No. 56 overall in 2011 and the fact that the team has so many picks in this year's draft that they can afford to go with filling needs rather than taking the best available player.

The latter analysis I fully agree with, but I think that running back is one of their most glaring needs and will be the position they target with their first of two picks in round one.

Washington's Chris Polk is, to me, the best fit for the Bengals at running back, especially considering that they won't likely be retaining free agent Cedric Benson in 2012. Polk is both very fast and very elusive, isn't afraid of hard hits and is versatile, able to catch passes, run the ball and block effectively.

Cincinnati Bengals (Round 1, Pick 21)

Matt's projection: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL); My projection: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma 

Miller clearly agrees that the Bengals will be looking for a running back with one of their two first round picks, but we differ on which pick and which running back they will take. While I believe they'll grab Washington's Chris Polk at No. 17, Miller believes they'll take Miami's Lamar Miller at No. 21.

The Bengals need help in the secondary. They never really bounced back from losing cornerback Johnathan Joseph to the Houston Texans in last year's free agency, and it's one area that they can improve upon significantly by using a first-round pick on a corner.

Oklahoma's Jamell Fleming is a speedy, physical man corner who is perfect for the Bengals. He needs to improve on his tackling, but is otherwise one of the top corner prospects in a draft class full of talented pass defenders. No. 21 seems like a perfect spot to snag him.

Cleveland Browns (Round 1, Pick 22)

Matt's projection: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor; My projection: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

Clearly Miller and I see eye-to-eye when it comes to the Cleveland Browns' first round draft picks, with both of us projecting the team drafts Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright with their 22nd overall pick.

Though the Browns have many areas that need improvement, establishing a cadre of elite offensive weapons is their most pressing need. With running back ostensibly taken care of by now—with the Browns having selected Trent Richardson fourth overall—they can next focus their attention on snagging a top-tier wideout.

Wright is fast and can get separation on defenders like it's the easiest thing in the world. He had 1,663 yards for 14 touchdowns and averaged 15.4 yards per reception in his senior season.

The addition of Wright to the Browns roster would help quarterback Colt McCoy immeasurably; even if the Browns choose to go a different direction at quarterback in the offseason, there's no doubt Wright will make a major impact on a Browns passing game that has been nothing but flat in recent seasons.

Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 1, Pick 24)

Matt's projection: Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State; My projection: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

Again, Miller and I are in agreement as to which position a team needs the most, but again, we differ on exactly who they will take.

Miller has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Iowa State guard Kelechi Osemele, who returned to the first-round discussion after a good Senior Bowl showing, while I have Georgia guard Cordy Glenn still being on the board when the team picks 24th overall.

The important thing to note is this: the Steelers need help on offensive line. Injuries left the team's depth exposed in 2011, and they'll need to supplement their starting roster with durable, high-level talent this year to remain one of the league's top teams.

Whether they get Osemele or Glenn, the guard they select with this pick will be a rookie starter, lining up at left guard next to center Maurkice Pouncey. The Steelers had a rotating cast at left guard in 2011—Osemele or Glenn should provide stability for the long term.

Baltimore Ravens (Round 1, Pick 29)

Matt's projection: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State; My projection: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State 

It's been hard for me to find a place for Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict in this year's draft. At various times in the past month or two, I've had him as high as No. 16 overall and as low as early second round.

However, after a bit of soul-searching, I've come to the same conclusion as Miller and have projected Burfict to be the Baltimore Ravens' first round pick. 

This year, more than any other, is the time for the Ravens to pick up a true successor to Ray Lewis, and the volatile, physical Burfict is an ideal choice. Miller describes Burfict as "scary" and the only player he's ever given a red flag to for "on-field issues," which is a pretty apt way to classify him.

He can learn discipline from Lewis, easily one of the best defensive leaders in the game, while still be given a venue in which his physical style of play is both highly desirable and highly rewarded.

Burfict is certainly an heir to Lewis when it comes to style of play—a season or two under his tutelage may turn him into Lewis' intellectual heir as well.

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will take a lot more than that to convince me that it was a bad idea to leave the Big 12 conference