2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Most Realistic Targets for Each AFC North Team

Every team has needs that they try to meet via the NFL draft, but sometimes it's hard to differentiate between those needs and a wish list of players that would be dream additions.

However, one must consider which players will still likely be on the board when each team picks and look at the draft as an ever-changing system in which all teams are beholden to the choices of one, an interconnected play of teams cycling through plans A through Z as players get picked.

Indeed, realism is the best approach when making draft projections. Here are the most realistic first-round draft options for each team in the AFC North:

It's More Likely Every Day that the Cleveland Browns take RB Trent Richardson No. 4 Overall

The Cleveland Browns have yet to publicly state whether they are going to retain running back Peyton Hillis or let him walk, but every day they remain silent the more likely it seems that Hillis' time in Cleveland is nearly over.

Though the performance of first-round running backs is notoriously difficult to predict, all signs are pointing to Richardson being a major playmaker in his rookie year.

A player doesn't go from running for over 1,600 yards one year to fewer than 1,000 the next simply by making the transition from college starter to professional starter, even with the learning curve taken into account.

It's a gamble to take a running back with such a high pick, but it's one that is likely to pay off for the Browns, especially in comparison to Hillis, who, from all indications, cannot be counted on to produce at a consistently high level season after season.

The only other possible scenario I can imagine for the Browns in the first round is that they trade up to No. 2 and switch picks with the St. Louis Rams in order to draft Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.

While Griffin would be a huge upgrade for the Browns and, I believe, a good fit, the team seems committed to developing Colt McCoy this year and will take a pass on Griffin.

The Browns also have the 22nd overall pick in the draft and will likely use it to nab a wide receiver to help fill out their offense. They drafted a receiver, Greg Little, last year, but without a playmaker alongside him (and a struggling roster of quarterbacks), he didn't make much of an impact in 2011.

Look for Cleveland to make a play for Baylor's Kendall Wright if he's still on the board. If not, then Michael Floyd from Notre Dame or even Mohamed Sanu out of Rutgers would both be good fits.

Two First Round Picks and So Many Options for the Cincinnati Bengals

The stage is set for the Cincinnati Bengals to have one of the best offseasons they've had in quite some time, with a ton of cap space and nine picks in this year's draft.

While it's not guaranteed that they'll enter the 2012 regular season with a roster full of potential playmakers—they could screw this up after all—they do have a better opportunity than most other teams to build serious depth and build a long-term strategy for winning. 

Their two first-round picks come at Nos. 17 and 21, and the team is likely to go offense with one and defense with the other. I project the offensive pick to go to a running back to replace Cedric Benson, namely Washington's Chris Polk, while I see the defensive pick going to the secondary, possibly to cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

They could also go with a pass rusher in the first round rather than a corner, but this is a relatively thin area in this year's draft class.

Thus, this may be an area the Bengals explore in free agency; if they don't pick one up in March, however, their chances of going for it in the first round of the draft increase exponentially if someone worth a first round pick is still on the board.

It's Going to be Offensive Line for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Despite having issues with durability and reliability on the offensive line for a few seasons now, the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't drafted very many players to build depth. That was evident this year, as injuries yet again turned the team's offensive line into a carousel of players plugged in all across the line.

This year, they need to use their 24th overall first-round pick on an offensive lineman, one who has the skill set to take a starting spot in his rookie year and the durability to hold onto the role for the duration of the season.

Georgia guard Cordy Glenn is who I believe the Steelers will be targeting in the first round, but there's no guarantee he will still be on the board by the time they pick. Glenn's valuation has varied on a near-weekly basis, as has the list of teams who may be interested in him.

If Glenn is gone, the Steelers could target Florida State offensive tackle Zebrie Sanders, or another offensive tackle, Mike Adams from Ohio State. The Steelers might have to trade up to draft one of these players; if they choose to stay put, they might grab Iowa State offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele instead.

The Baltimore Ravens will also be Looking at Offensive Linemen

The most pressing issue for the Baltimore Ravens in the first round will be to grab a center to replace the likely-to-retire Matt Birk and the gone-with-free-agency Andre Gurode.

The best center in this year's draft is Wisconsin's Peter Konz. Depending on where you look, he may or may not be off the board by the time the Ravens pick at 29th overall. If they want him badly enough, they'll trade up.

Georgia guard Cordy Glenn also makes sense for the Ravens, as he seems to for practically half of the teams in the league. If Glenn is still on the board past the Steelers' pick, I will be surprised. On the off chance he is, however, then the Ravens will probably take him.

Another player where the Steelers and Ravens overlap is Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele. If the Steelers end up choosing Glenn and Konz is off the board, this will be the Ravens' main target.

Finding the right linebacker to learn behind and ultimately replace Ray Lewis is a priority for the Ravens this year. I had them taking Vontaze Burfict in the first round, but the team might be able to snag him in the second by the time the draft rolls around.

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