It’s been a week since the biggest event of the NFL’s off-season calendar – the NFL draft – wrapped at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. You’re probably just now starting to get Aloe Blacc’s I’m The Man out of your head.
If the thought of waiting out the next three months of cuts, claims and quarterback controversies sounds about as exciting as the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 48, don’t fret. We’re here with our 2014 draft grade for each division in the league.
Up first, the black-and-blue AFC North.
Baltimore Ravens
After an uncharacteristically sub-par year, the proud Ravens used the draft to reload on defence in a bid to revive their reputation as an AFC powerhouse.
Snapping up arguably the most talented linebacker of the class in Alabama’s CJ Mosley with their first-round pick, Baltimore scored serious value in the second with D-tackle Timmy Jernigan, projected by several experts to be a mid-first round guy.
Both rookies are expected to be significant first-year contributors, shoring up an already stout front seven and easing the crippling burden shouldered by the quarterback in 2013.
Speaking of Joe Flacco, he’ll enjoy new weapons in Crockett Gillmore – a raw tight-end boasting good size – and underrated wide-out Mike Campanaro, a fine talent who’ll definitely find himself on an NFL roster in 2014.
Cincinnati Bengals
With Baltimore and Pittsburgh going heavy and the lowly Browns proving themselves rock stars in Radio City, everyone’s forgotten about Cincinnati. They may not boast the most explosive draft class, but a number of wise moves were still made.
Topping the list is defensive back Darqueze Dennard, an absolute steal towards the end of the first round. The winner of the Jim Thorpe Award for college football’s best corner has ‘shutdown talent’ written all over him, and should prove an immediate starter.
Running back Jeremy Hill was a curious second-round selection given the Bengals’ success with the zippy Bernard in the backfield, while the AJ McCarron pick in Round 5 shouldn’t give Andy Dalton night sweats… yet.
Cleveland Browns
All eyes are fixed squarely on ‘Johnny Football’ and with good reason, but to sing his praises for the next three months would be to ignore an excellent draft by the Browns.
Only time will tell whether Johnny Manziel will beat out both Brian Hoyer and Tyler Thigpen for the starting spot, and even then, throwing him to a re-energised Steelers defence in Week 1 may not bode well for the talented thrower.
Elsewhere, Cleveland picked up Justin Gilbert, the second of the three consensus premier corners in the draft (two of whom landed inside the division), and promising forth-rounder Pierre Desir. The tandem should bolster a secondary still reeling from the loss of TJ Ward, leaving wide receiver as the only hole that needs patching – pending Josh Gordon’s possible year-long suspension for wacky tobacco.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Freakishly athletic linebacker Ryan Shazier should fit right in with a defensive front suddenly boasting youth, size and potential. Second rounder, defensive tackle Stephen Tuitt, provides excellent value – hmm, starting to sound more like Baltimore’s strategy? – while Big Ben may have finally gotten his wish for a big-bodied receiver in Clemson’s Martavis Bryant.
The Steelers will be hoping pint-sized firecracker Dri Archer will act as a newer, better Chris Rainey – minus, you know, the whole domestic violence thing.
Monstrous defensive end Daniel McCullers may see time at nose tackle in an attempt to swallow up bodies, giving fringe rushers like Shazier and Jones ample time to devour guys like Manziel for Sunday lunch.
Gurudoright
Guest
I can't believe the Bengals didn't go for a QB or trade for a QB. Dalton is crap! Dalton was the only thing holding us back from our first Super Bowl in 25 years last season
Joe
Guest
The Browns often get credited with having a 'great draft',this year is no different. Gilbert is a solid CB that will be added alongside Joe Haden to give the Browns one of the better CB tandems in the NFL.Manziel will be a bust IMO. Bottom line is the Browns are a horribly run franchise, I dont see a whole lot changing, expect another 6-10,7-9 season from them The Ravens always draft well I agree with your take on them, same with the Steelers.Always have solid, no frills drafts but get players who will contribute for years to come. The Archer kid from Kent St is a real speedster, will be interesting to see if he can make the transition to the NFL? I've seen a lot of these smaller, blazing fast RB/kick return guys get drafted over the years & the majority of them never really do a whole lot in the pros.Darren Sproles & Devin Hester are the exception as opposed to the norm with these type of players The Bengals got a steal with Dennard dropping to them, he's a heck of a CB who was the leader of a Michigan St defense that was the best in the nation by the end of last season As a Chargers fan I was hoping Dennard would somehow drop to #25 but the Bengals took him at #24 Jeremy Hill is a beast at RB & his style of running fits in well with what you need in those Nov/Dec cold windy AFC North games plus Marvin Lewis is ultra conservative & Hill is the sort of player who'll fit into his coaching philosophy From a talent standpoint the Bengals have as much as any team in theNFL.The have it all EXCEPT at the most important position. Andy Dalton is at best an average QB.He's never gonna win you big games even though he is surrounded by elite talent. He just doesn't have "it". And Marvin Lewis is an excellent coordinator but as a head coach he isnt daring enough & is WAY too conservative & when the big games roll around you have to think outside the box & take some chances & thats not in his makeup as a head coach. They should contend for a playoff spot though, Cincy should be in the 9-7,10-6 range at seasons end