2012 NFL Mock Draft: Grading Sigmund Bloom's Latest AFC North Picks

Resident Bleacher Report draft know-it-all Sigmund Bloom released his latest first-round mock draft this week. Let's take a look at who he projects the four teams of the AFC North will select and discuss whether or not these picks seem plausible.

Cleveland Browns (Round 1: Pick Nos. 4 and 22)

Bloom's projections: RB Trent Richardson, Alabama (No. 4); DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama (No. 22)

Bloom takes a different direction for the Browns, projecting they take a defensive player in the first round, Courtney Upshaw of Alabama, who would be a defensive end for the Browns in this scenario.

While I wouldn't put it past Cleveland to use their 22nd pick on defense if it comes down to selecting the best available player on the board, I'm not certain they'd use it to pick up another defensive end.

The Browns already have one solid starting defensive end in Jabaal Sheard, just brought on Frostee Rucker in free agency with the goal of also making him a starter and picked up Juqua Parker for veteran depth.

While Cleveland may add another defensive end in the draft, I just don't see them doing so in the first round. Instead, I think the Browns will use both first-round picks on offense.

Bloom's Trent Richardson prediction is spot-on in my estimation. Yes, there's inherent risk in taking a running back in the top 10, let alone the top five, but that trepidation isn't always founded—especially with a player with Richardson's talent.

Richardson is perfect for the Browns—defenses, at least at the college level, couldn't stop him, he makes holes where there aren't any and he has great pass catching and pass blocking skills.

At pick 22, the Browns could go one of two directions: right tackle or wide receiver. Right tackle actually seems like the smart move here—the start-worthy talent drops off in the second round, while the receiving class this year is deep.

The Browns could pick up Ohio State's Mike Adams at 22 and then use their second-round pick (37 overall) on a receiver like Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu or even snag a steal like Alshon Jeffery.

Cincinnati Bengals (Round 1: Pick No. 17 and 21)

Bloom's projections: CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina (No. 17), OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia (No. 21)

Bloom is yet another draft analyst who has Georgia offensive guard Cordy Glenn in the AFC North, and I am in full agreement. The only way I don't see the Bengals pursuing Glenn at no. 21 is if David DeCastro is still on the board at pick 17 and they take him there.

Bloom notes that the Bengals do have solid depth at both guard and tackle, but Glenn's versatility and seemingly-endless upside makes him a must-add, and I agree. Again, this is contingent on DeCastro's availability; if Cincy can get him at 17, then they can go with a receiver at No. 21, perhaps Kendall Wright from Baylor or Stephen Hill of Georgia Tech.

The Bengals aren't yet set at cornerback and should bring in a young player to help when it comes to overall depth. Stephon Gilmore seems tailor-made for the Bengals—he meets an area of need without carrying the kinds of baggage that other first-round projected corners do.

Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 1: Pick No. 24)

Bloom's projection: LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama

I like the Steelers going offensive line with their first round pick—if they can. Cordy Glenn would be perfect for the Steelers at this pick, but he very well could be off the board at this point. If so, the next-biggest area of need (from a first round perspective) is linebacker, and Dont'a Hightower would be the ideal fit.

The Steelers generally take whichever player on the board best fits their system, regardless of how they are supposedly valued by analysts. Hightower is that kind of player. He fills a role, isn't too flashy, doesn't get fooled by misdirections, plays very physically and is large and strong.

Hightower has had injury issues in the past (including a torn ACL in 2009), which isn't the kind of history the Steelers particularly need. But considering he fits the mold of a Steelers linebacker and could start immediately (considering it's Larry Foote who will likely be taking the spot vacated by James Farrior), he's worth the pick.

Baltimore Ravens (Round 1: Pick No. 29)

Bloom's projection: OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

I've long thought that Kevin Zeitler could be on the Ravens' first-round radar; he meets an immediate need (filling the starting left guard spot currently occupied by the not-quite-there-yet Jah Reid) as well as a longer-term one (he could be moved to center once current starter Matt Birk retires).

Offensive line is the one glaring weakness the Ravens need to deal with this year, and going with Zeitler in the first round is an excellent way to address it.

Keeping running back Ray Rice producing at high level, not to mention keeping quarterback Joe Flacco protected should be the offenses' top two priorities in 2012. Zeitler's presence on the line would exponentially increase the odds of both happening.

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