NFL Draft preview: AFC North
We continue our series of NFL division previews ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft, breaking down each team’s biggest needs and potential targets. Today, we look at our AFC North Draft Preview.
The Super Bowl is over, the confetti has settled, and the focus now shifts to the NFL Draft – the biggest offseason spectacle in sports. As we prepare for the AFC North Draft Preview, it’s clear that this year’s class is shaping up to be one of the more unpredictable ones in recent memory. The quarterback pool has major question marks, and there aren’t as many sure-thing blue-chip prospects as usual, meaning teams will have to navigate carefully.
With the NFL Combine underway and free agency approaching, draft needs will evolve, but it’s never too early to assess the biggest roster gaps for every team. Today, we’re diving into the AFC North, where three legitimate contenders—and the Browns—will look to reload for another run.
Cleveland Browns
Top Needs: QB, EDGE, OT, RB, WR
The Browns are in a brutal situation heading into the draft. The Deshaun Watson contract continues to weigh them down, both on the field and financially, and now Myles Garrett has officially requested a trade. With their leader on offense struggling and their leader on defense on his way out, Cleveland has holes across the board and could be facing a long rebuild.
The silver lining? They own the No. 2 overall pick and have four top-100 selections, plus whatever return they get for Garrett. That gives them a rare opportunity to reset, but the key question is: Do they gamble on a QB at No. 2?
This draft class doesn’t have a surefire elite quarterback, and the options come with risk.
- Cam Ward (Miami) has a huge ceiling but an equally low floor due to inconsistent decision-making.
- Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) is polished and accurate, but he lacks elite physical tools and holds onto the ball too long.
If Cleveland doesn’t love a QB at No. 2, they could go best player available and circle back to quarterback later. EDGE Abdul Carter (Penn State) would be an immediate replacement for Garrett, or CB/WR Travis Hunter (Colorado) could be the game-changing playmaker this offense needs.
Top 100 Potential Targets:
- #2: QB Cam Ward (Miami), EDGE Abdul Carter (Penn State), CB/WR Travis Hunter (Colorado)
- #33: T Grey Zabel (North Dakota), T Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon), WR Elic Ayomanor (Stanford)
- #67: WR Jayden Higgins (Iowa State), RB Cam Skattebo (Arizona State), EDGE Josaiah Stewart (Michigan)
- #94: T Ozzie Trapilo (Boston College), QB Quinn Ewers (Texas), QB Will Howard (Ohio State)
Cincinnati Bengals
Top Needs: CB, EDGE, DL, OL, WR
The Bengals’ season was a rollercoaster, with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase carrying the offense while their historically bad defense let them down. Burrow was playing at an MVP level, but it wasn’t enough to cover for a defense that couldn’t get stops.
The biggest questions heading into the draft surround Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki. If Higgins leaves (which seems likely due to his price tag), Cincinnati could target a WR at No. 17, but defense and offensive line should be the priorities.
- Their secondary needs major upgrades, and CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) could be a great fit.
- Their defensive line lacks power, so Kenneth Grant (Michigan) or Alfred Collins (Texas) would be strong options.
- The offensive line remains an issue, especially with Orlando Brown Jr. struggling and Alex Cappa being a liability at guard. If they want to keep Burrow upright, OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) or Wyatt Milum (West Virginia) should be on their radar.
Top 100 Potential Targets:
- #17: DL Kenneth Grant (Michigan), OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas), WR Luther Burden III (Missouri)
- #49: DL Alfred Collins (Texas), EDGE Bradyn Swinson (LSU), OT Wyatt Milum (West Virginia)
- #81: DL Omar Norman-Lott (Tennessee), WR Tre Harris (Mississippi), CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Top Needs: QB, DL, WR, CB, RB
The post-Ben Roethlisberger era has been a revolving door of quarterbacks that didn’t work out. Since his retirement, the Steelers have started Mason Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson. Now, both Wilson and Fields are free agents, leaving Pittsburgh with another major QB question heading into the draft.
If they bring back Wilson, they may wait on a QB and instead focus on rebuilding their defense or adding offensive weapons.
- DL Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) would give them a young disruptor up front.
- WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) would add another playmaker opposite George Pickens.
- If they do take a QB, Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) or Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) could be mid-round options.
Top 100 Potential Targets:
- #21: WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), WR Matthew Golden (Texas), DL Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)
- #52: CB Trey Amos (Ole Miss), RB TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State), QB Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
- #83: DL Jordan Phillips (Maryland), CB Darien Porter (Iowa State), QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
Baltimore Ravens
Top Needs: OT, EDGE, CB, WR
The Ravens once again saw a Super Bowl window slip away, this time thanks to a brutal drop by Mark Andrews in the AFC Championship. Despite the heartbreak, they remain one of the AFC’s most complete teams, and this draft is about fine-tuning to keep them in the title race.
The biggest concern is left tackle. With Ronnie Stanley’s departure likely, protecting Lamar Jackson’s blindside becomes the priority. If they go OT at No. 27, Marcus Mbow (Purdue) or Cameron Williams (Texas) could be in play.
Defensively, the Ravens lack an elite pass-rusher, and Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) or Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) would be perfect fits. A boundary CB to pair with Marlon Humphrey is another area they’ll look at.
Top 100 Potential Targets:
- #27: EDGE Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), EDGE Mike Green (Marshall), EDGE Nic Scourton (Texas A&M)
- #59: WR Isaiah Bond (Texas), OT Marcus Mbow (Purdue), OT Cameron Williams (Texas)
- #91: CB Zy Alexander (LSU), OT Ozzie Trapilo (Boston College), WR Tez Johnson (Oregon)
Final Thoughts
The AFC North remains one of the most competitive divisions in football, and how these teams approach the draft will help shape the 2025 season.
- Cleveland has a chance to reset, but their QB decision at No. 2 will define the next decade.
- Cincinnati needs to rebuild its defense and protect Burrow to stay in the playoff mix.
- Pittsburgh has QB uncertainty but may focus on building the roster before making a move at passer.
- Baltimore is a few key picks away from a Super Bowl, with OL and pass rush being the biggest needs.
Expect plenty of movement and surprises, but one thing is clear – the AFC North isn’t getting any easier.
If you liked this article, you may want to check out this one too:
Yahoo Sports NFL Draft Preview
4 Comments
Comments are closed.