2020 NFL Draft Grades: AFC North

Moving right along here with AFC 2020 NFL Draft. We move right along to the AFC North. A division that includes the Steelers, Browns, Bengals, and Ravens. It’s usually a division that doesn’t change much year to year. Every team has hope after draft day. Let’s see how each team did. It’s time to hand 2020 NFL Draft grades for the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens: Grade A+

• Round 1, Pick No. 28: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
• Round 2, Pick No. 55: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
• Round 3, Pick No. 71: Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
• Round 3, Pick No. 92: Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
• Round 3, Pick No. 98: Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State
• Round 3, Pick No. 106: Tyre Phillips, G, Mississippi State
• Round 4, Pick No. 143: Ben Bredeson, G, Michigan
• Round 5, Pick No. 170: Broderick Washington Jr., DT, Texas Tech
• Round 6, Pick No. 201: James Proche, WR, SMU
• Round 7, Pick No. 219: Geno Stone, S, Iowa

Eric DeCosta dropped his nuts on the table for this one. What a fucking draft. Baltimore sat there at 28 and filled the biggest need on the roster. The Ravens came into this draft with zero reliable linebackers. They left the draft with 2. Malik Harrison is a baller too.

Then Baltimore snags JK Dobbins at 55!?! Where do I sign up for that? That’s just great value. Dobbins is arguably the best running back in the draft. For him to be there at 55 is stealing. It’s even more laughable when you consider the Ravens gave up Hayden Hurst who can’t play a lick to get it done.

There were zero picks to me that were head scratchers. Justin Madubuike could be an interesting body upfront. Devin Duvernay fits this offense well. Baltimore didn’t have a fast slot guy before and do now. They added two guards with Tyre Phillips and Ben Bredeson. James Proche has some good hands on him adding another target. Even Geno Stone in the 7th? I saw things on him going 4 rounds higher.

No other way to slice it. An amazing job by this Ravens staff. I love everything about this team minus the quarterback.

Cincinnati Bengals: Grade C-

• Round 1, Pick No. 1: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
• Round 2, Pick No. 33: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
• Round 3, Pick No. 65: Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
• Round 4, Pick No. 107: Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
• Round 5, Pick No. 147: Khalid Kareem, DE, Notre Dame
• Round 6, Pick No. 180: Hakeem Adeniji, OT, Kansas
• Round 7, Pick No. 215: Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue

This just isn’t a smart franchise. I automatically ding them a letter grade because they refuse to trade. It’s a bad roster, get more picks. I think Joe Burrow is the toughest evaluation out there. He’s not better than Tua but if he’s an elite quarterback then this grade is wrong. Then again, even if Burrow hits marginally, the rest of this draft isn’t doing it for me.

Tee Higgins in the 2nd round is fine. After that you’re looking at some wildcards. Wyoming linebacker? Maybe. App State linebacker? Maybe. How many of these later round picks turn into quality starters? I’ll take the under on whatever the number is.

Cleveland Browns: Grade A+

• Round 1, Pick No. 10: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
• Round 2, Pick No. 44: Grant Delpit, S, LSU
• Round 3, Pick No. 88: Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
• Round 3, Pick No. 97: Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU
• Round 4, Pick No. 115: Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
• Round 5, Pick No. 160: Nick Harris, C, Washington
• Round 6, Pick No. 187: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan

I would like to speak with the Browns new gm because it would appear that he has a brain on him. Not just a brain, a big brain. If you were hoping for the Browns to mess up. Well, that didn’t happen.

Jedrick Wills has all the makings to turn into an elite tackle. Grant Delpit at 44 is stealing. Jordan Elliott in the third round reminds me of Dallas taking Neville Gallimore. Got him a round later than expected.

Even the later round picks I like. Take a swing on Jacob Phillips. That LSU team was loaded. Phillips showed serious flashes. Harrison Bryant was one of the tight ends I thought it was smart to take a flier on. Nick Harris is a very underrated center. I like him a lot. Donovan Peoples-Jones in round 6 is crazy value.

I want no excuses from Baker Mayfield. No more. He was a real head coach and a stupid talented roster. David Njoku is the backup tight end. No more excuses.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Grade B+

• Round 2, Pick No. 49: Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
• Round 3, Pick No. 102: Alex Highsmith, OLB, Charlotte
• Round 4, Pick No. 124: Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Maryland
• Round 4, Pick No. 135: Kevin Dotson, G, Louisiana
• Round 6, Pick No. 198: Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland
• Round 7, Pick No. 232: Carlos Davis, DT, Nebraska

I can’t say this draft is quite an A but it’s darn close. You have to factor in Minkah Fitzpatrick because that’s where the first round pick went towards. He basically got traded for Austin Jackson. I’ll make that trade again today no doubt about it.

Pittsburgh grabbed two weapons I really like. Chase Claypool is more of a tight end to me, but I thought he was significantly better than Cole Kmet. Either way, it’s a big body to go with what they already have. Anthony McFarland is another one. I recently wrote about this. The Steelers don’t have someone like this. It’s all big dudes like Jaylen Samuels, James Conner, and Benny Snell. I really like the change of pace McFarland can bring to this offense.

Antoine Brooks JR I like. Same with Carlos Davis. We will see about Kevin Dotson and Alex Highsmith. Overall, it’s hard not to trust Pittsburgh on this one.

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