Prospects Each AFC North Team Should Be Scouting at 2012 NFL Scouting Combine

The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off tomorrow, and representatives of all 32 teams will be watching every drill, physical result and interview intently to determine just who will be a good fit for their respective squads.

Given the needs of each team in the AFC North and who they are likely to be targeting with early round picks, here are the top combine invitees who will get the closest looks at in the coming days.

Cleveland Browns

With two first-round draft picks and a number of needs on both offense and defense, the Cleveland Browns will be keeping their eyes on all sorts of players at the Scouting Combine.

Tops on that list are running back Trent Richardson and quarterback Robert Griffin III. Richardson has been long thought to be the Browns' target with their No. 4 overall pick, but they could also trade up to take the St. Louis Rams' spot at No. 2 if they want to snag Griffin.

What kind of impression Griffin makes both in drills and in interviews will go a long way to help the Browns determine just what they want to do in April's draft. Richardson looks to be the best running back prospect in years, and he will just have to keep up what everyone has been seeing from him on the field in Indianapolis.

The Browns will also be looking at wide receivers. A long shot for their No. 4 overall pick will by wide receiver Justin Blackmon, who is reportedly not going to run the 40 at the Combine. At No. 22, their second first round pick, they could look to add either Baylor receiver Kendall Wright or Notre Dame's Malcolm Floyd.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals also have two first round draft picks and will more than likely use one on a cornerback. They'll be watching LSU's Morris Claiborne closely in the hopes that he does something to drop his draft stock somewhat, so that perhaps they'll have a chance to nab him with their No. 17 pick.

If Claiborne isn't available to them (and he won't likely be), then their next-best targets will include Janoris Jenkins out of Northern Alabama. His character issues will be a concern, so his interview will be important, as well as his 40 time.

Jenkins is projected to be strong in both man and zone coverage, but how he fares in drills at the Combine will highlight which he would be best suited for in the NFL. The same can be said for cornerback Stephon Gilmore out of South Carolina—he's also strong in both man and zone, but has the added benefit of special teams prowess.

Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick will likely field a number of questions about the night he was arrested for drug possession. Though the charges were dropped, the fact that he was in the vehicle where the drugs were found will bring up issues related to his decision-making.

If he doesn't have the right answers, he could see his draft stock drop considerably. That could be a boon for the Bengals, who might be able to snag him at No. 17 if they think he has matured since the incident.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to bolster their oft-injured offensive line, and Georgia guard Cordy Glenn seems nearly tailor-made for the team. Many teams have their sights on him and how he performs in drills will determine just where in the draft he could go.

The Steelers have the No. 24 overall pick, so if Glenn impresses, he could be unavailable by the time the team picks. In that event, they may be best-served to go to their next-most-pressing need, nose tackle, and select Dontari Poe, from Memphis.

Poe has prototypical 3-4 nose tackle size, at 6'5" and 350 pounds. They'll be looking for him to be physical in his drills and exhibit both strength and good instincts.

Baltimore Ravens

At No. 29, the Baltimore Ravens might choose to trade up a few spots if they have their eyes set on a certain someone, and Steelers target Cordy Glenn might be on that list. Just as the Steelers will be evaluating him, the Ravens will be as well, but it's an even longer shot Glenn falls to the Ravens than it is for their rivals in Pittsburgh.

There are a few directions the Ravens can go with this pick. They could select center Peter Konz out of Wisconsin, easily the only first round-worthy center in this year's draft, to replace the potentially about-to-retire Matt Birk.

Their only other depth at the position at this time is Andre Gurode, so the team needs a long-term successor to Birk should he bow out. The main thing the Ravens will be concerned about with Konz is the result of his physical; Konz has suffered an injury each year he's been with the Badgers.

They could also go for a pass-rushing linebacker to be the ultimate successor to Ray Lewis, who is nearing retirement age. Vontaze Burfict may be an option for them, but his draft stock has varied wildly. However, if Burfict has an impressive Combine outing, he could be worth the Ravens' late first round pick.

Follow @FBALL_Andrea