Baltimore Ravens
Picks: 1 (26): Breshad Perriman, UCF, WR 2 (55): Maxx Williams, Minnesota, TE 3 (90): Carl Davis, Iowa, DT 4 (122): Za'Darius Smith, Kentucky, OLB 4 (125): Buck Allen, USC, RB 4 (136): Tray Walker, Texas Southern, CB 5 (171): Nick Boyle, Delaware, TE/FB 5 (176): Robert Myers, Tennessee State, OG 6 (204): Darren Waller, Georgia Tech, WR |
General manager Ozzie Newsome is know for putting together solid draft classes together year in and year out and he racked up another talented group of young players. Breshad Perriman was not my favorite prospect on the board at 26 (if you follow me on Twitter you should already know that: @cpage2911), but he should fill in for the vacant role left by Torrey Smith who is now a 49er. Maxx Williams should see the field instantly being an effective receiver and blocker along with Delaware's Nick Boyle who shined at the Senior Bowl. Buck Allen should complement Justin Forsett nicely being an effective third down back at USC. The Ravens put together a class that can add immediate impact on both sides of the ball. Another great job for Baltimore.
Cincinnati Bengals
Picks: 1 (21): Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M, OT 2 (53): Jake Fisher, Oregon, OT 3 (85): Tyler Kroft, Rutgers, TE 3 (99): Paul Dawson, TCU, OLB 4 (120): Joshua Shaw, USC, CB 4 (135): Marcus Hardison, Arizona State, DT 5 (157): CJ Uzomah, Auburn, TE 6 (197): Derron Smith, Fresno State, FS 7 (238): Mario Alford, West Virginia, WR/RET |
Top to bottom the Cincinnati Bengals may have the most talented roster with a depth chart full of college all-stars and now all-pros. Bengals seemed to have taken that same approach this draft season as the eyed some top talent to help out in the near future. Their first two picks Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher are poised to take over in the next year or two with some polish and added bulk, though both should be strictly considered right tackles. Paul Dawson is tied at the top as the most instinctive linebacker in this draft class with former UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks (Vikings) and should see the field immediately. Some have already pegged him with the Vontaze Burfict comparison being able to make plays all over the field with a high motor and powerful physical play. Cincinnati never shies away from picking up some tight ends as they add two. This draft class is just another building block to cement that solid foundation of a roster in Cincinnati. Now let's just win a playoff game.
Cleveland Browns
Picks: 1 (12): Danny Shelton, Washington, DT 1 (19): Cameron Erving, Florida State, C 2 (51): Nate Orchard, Utah, OLB 3 (77): Duke Johnson, Miami, RB 3 (96): Xavier Cooper, Washington State, DT/DE 4 (115): Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern, S 4 (123): Vince Mayle, Washington State, WR 6 (189): Charles Gaines, Louisville, CB 6 (195): Malcolm Johnson, Miss. State, TE 6 (198): Randall Telfer, USC, TE 7 (219): Hayes Pullard, USC, LB 7 (241): Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon, CB |
The Browns needed a strong draft after dealing with a bad taste in their mouth from last season's two first round selections, though the verdict is still out on cornerback Justin Gilbert. I can guarantee you that this year's two first round selections will bring more impact and long-term ability than last year's. Danny Shelton and Xavier Cooper will create a physical front that the Browns desperately need to also create pass rush off the edge with new addition Nate Orchard and outside backers Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo. Taking Cameron Erving in the first round was more of a best player available selection, but should implement more of a ground and pound philosophy in Cleveland while also selecting Duke Johnson, their third rookie running back pick up in two years. Randall Telfer is a solid blocking tight end and Malcolm Johnson will do his best to help fill the vacancy left by Jordan Cameron. The Browns scored a 7.22 (out of 8.00) value on my grading scale which ranked them in the top five.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Picks: 1 (22): Bud Dupree, Kentucky, DE/OLB 2 (56): Senquez Golson, Ole Miss, CB 3 (87): Sammie Coates, Auburn, WR 4 (121): Doran Grant, Ohio State, CB 5 (160): Jesse James, Penn State, TE 6 (199): LT Walton, Central Michigan, DT 6 (212): Anthony Chickillo, Miami, DE 7 (239): Gerod Holliman, Louisville, S |
The Steelers knew a big offseason was ahead after losing Hall of Famer safety Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor to retirement a year after having to replace Ryan Clark. The Steelers added some depth to the secondary this draft season with sticky cover corner Senquez Golson out of Ole Miss and potential starter Doran Grant (Steelers need size n the secondary; Grant can hopefully provide that). First round pick Bud Dupree can provide that James Harrison style of play that has pretty much faded since his return from Cincinnati. Sammie Coates of Auburn can knock the top off the defense as a big target downfield with great speed to complement with top receiver Antonio Brown and rising threat Martavis Bryant. It would have been nice to see Pittsburgh add some depth upfront with the trend of offensive linemen going down. Both sides of the ball got better from this draft adding key pieces of impact.