The AFC North held a significant share of draft capital this year, combining for 40 total picks. Cleveland, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh all entered with double-digit selections, giving each team added flexibility and a larger margin for error, while Cincinnati took a different approach, trading its first-round pick to acquire an All-Pro disruptor on the defensive side of the ball.
Here’s how the AFC North stacks up.
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 (No. 9): OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Round 1 (No. 24): WR K.C. Concepcion, Texas A&M
Round 2 (No. 39): WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Round 2 (No. 58): S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Round 3 (No. 86): OT Austin Barber, Florida
Round 5 (No. 146): C Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Round 5 (No. 149): LB Justin Jefferson, Alabama
Round 5 (No. 170): TE Joe Royer, Cincinnati
Round 6 (No. 182): QB Taylen Green, Arkansas
Round 7 (No. 248): TE Carsen Ryan, BYU
Rarely have the Browns put together a draft like this. They opened with Spencer Fano and K.C. Concepcion in the first round, quickly addressing two major areas.
Fano fits Cleveland’s effort to rebuild the offensive line and projects as a long-term answer at left tackle. He brings balance as both a pass protector and run blocker, with quick feet, polished hands, and sleek movement skills. Concepcion adds a different dimension to the offense. A dynamic slot receiver, he is dangerous in space and can turn short touches into big plays. His size limits some vertical usage, but his hands and quickness make him a reliable option in traffic.
The momentum carried into Day 2. Denzel Boston offers a contrast to Concepcion as a bigger boundary receiver who wins with physicality and strong hands, even if separation can be inconsistent. He complements the receiver room well. On defense, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is one of the most gifted safeties in the class. His size, range, and instincts allow him to impact both the pass and run, giving Cleveland a versatile presence on the back end.
Austin Barber and Parker Brailsford are nice additions to the offensive line and both have the potential to start immediately, while additional picks at tight end and linebacker help round out the roster. Taylen Green is an intriguing developmental quarterback with athletic upside and experience, and could push for starting time in a less than impressive quarterback room.
Cleveland nailed its needs across the board while adding quality depth. This is one of the most complete draft classes in the league and stands out as the best in the division.
Grade: A+
Baltimore Ravens
Round 1 (No. 14): OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Round 2 (No. 45): EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
Round 3 (No. 80): WR Ja’Kobi Lane, USC
Round 4 (No. 115): WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
Round 4 (No. 133): TE Matthew Hibner, SMU
Round 5 (No. 162): CB Chandler Rivers, Duke
Round 5 (No. 173): TE Josh Cuevas, Alabama
Round 5 (No. 174): RB Adam Randall, Clemson
Round 6 (No. 211): P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
Round 7 (No. 250): DT Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
Round 7 (No. 253): OG Evan Beerntsen, Northwestern
Having 11 draft choices is normally a recipe for success, which proved true for the Ravens. Protecting Lamar Jackson remains a priority, which made Olaivavega Ioane a logical choice. He is the first interior lineman the Ravens have taken in the top half of round one and brings a powerful presence in pass protection. When he anchors, his hand usage, strength, and technique make him difficult to beat. His foot speed is more of a concern, which could limit his effectiveness in the run game and against quicker pass rushers.
On the other side of the trenches will be Jesse Minter’s new edge rusher Zion Young. Arguably the most well-rounded edge in the class, he utilizes his power and arm length in the run game, while elite closing speed makes him a nightmare for quarterbacks. His repertoire of pass-rush moves needs to expand, but he has the attitude and nastiness of past Raven stars like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and will be fun to watch.
Beyond the top selections, the class leans toward depth. Ja’Kobi Lane and Chandler Rivers are potential contributors. Lane offers size on the outside and wins in contested situations, giving him a chance to complement Zay Flowers. Rivers is an instinctive zone corner who reads the field well, though his size may limit him in press coverage.
Baltimore added several nice pieces across the roster and addressed key areas early. With this much draft capital, the expectation is a productive class, and the Ravens certainly delivered.
Grade: A-
Cincinnati Bengals
Round 2 (No. 41): EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Round 3 (No. 72): CB Tacario Davis, Washington
Round 4 (No. 128): C Connor Lew, Auburn
Round 4 (No. 140): WR Colbie Young, Georgia
Round 6 (No. 189): OL Brian Parker II, Duke
Round 7 (No. 221): TE Jack Endries, Texas
Round 7 (No. 226): DT Landon Robinson, Navy
Cincinnati entered the draft with obvious needs along the offensive line and on defense, but it is important to view this class in the context of the Dexter Lawrence trade. Moving a first-rounder to acquire a proven, high-impact defensive tackle significantly alters how this draft should be evaluated, giving the Bengals a foundational piece before the draft even began.
With that in mind, Cincinnati’s first pick was pass rusher Cashius Howell. He is an explosive edge presence with the flexibility to win around tackles and the speed to close on quarterbacks in space. His size and lack of power limit his effectiveness against the run, which may keep him in a more situational role early, but the pass-rush upside is clear.
The next two selections offer a mix of promise and projection. Tacario Davis is a rare physical talent at 6-foot-4 with elite speed, though his play can be inconsistent as he continues to refine his technique. Connor Lew adds needed depth along the interior offensive line and could factor into future plans with Ted Karras entering a contract year. He is recovering from an ACL injury, but when healthy, he has shown the ability to hold up well in pass protection.
Overall, this is a more balanced class than it may initially appear. The Bengals targeted key areas while adding developmental pieces, and when factoring in the addition of Lawrence, the overall return looks much stronger. There is still some uncertainty tied to several of the incoming rookies, but the broader roster changes give this class a higher ceiling than it might initially suggest.
Grade: B-
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 (No. 21): OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Round 2 (No. 47): WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
Round 3 (No. 76): QB Drew Allar, Penn State
Round 3 (No. 85): CB Daylen Everette, Georgia
Round 3 (No. 96): OT Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Round 4 (No. 121): WR Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
Round 5 (No. 169): FB Riley Nowakowski, Indiana
Round 6 (No. 210): DT Gabriel Rubio, Notre Dame
Round 7 (No. 224): S Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma
Round 7 (No. 230): RB Eli Heidenreich, Navy
Pittsburgh’s draft got off to a rough start when Makai Lemon was swiped by the Eagles just before their turn. They adjusted by pivoting to Max Iheanachor, a high-upside tackle with rare movement skills for his size. His fluidity and speed are impressive, though his lack of experience shows in his technique. A year of development could be needed before any significant contributions are seen.
Still needing help at receiver, Pittsburgh added Germie Bernard in the second round. While he lacks top-end athleticism, he wins in the intermediate areas with strong tempo and reliable hands. His ability to transition quickly after the catch helps offset his limitations as a deep threat. The Steelers also selected Drew Allar, a quarterback with arm strength and deep-ball touch, but one who still struggles with processing and accuracy underneath.
The rest of the class offers limited immediate impact. Robert Spears-Jennings offers some potential due to his speed, and Eli Heidenreich brings an interesting background, but his role may be limited at the next level.
Overall, this is an unspectacular class for Pittsburgh.
Grade: C
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
NFC West
If this was your kind of read, you’ll like what’s next. Get The Sandman Ticket, our free, weekly newsletter with picks, insights, and a little bit of everything we love about sports.
