Inside the War Room: AFC North
by Luke Paul Chandler
Writers Luke Paul Chandler and Dave Gardner will be describing each team’s last draft class, top needs and draft strategies daily until the draft. Today, Luke analyzes the AFC North.
By Luke Paul Chandler
Baltimore Ravens
Draft Strategy
Ozzie Newsome will likely look to draft best player available, as he usually does. The Ravens defensively are talented, but will not stop at adding aggressive, versatile defenders. Their most pressing need is an aggressive man-coverage corner who could compete with Samari Rolle, and may have a fit in Arizona’s Antoine Cason. On offense, they need to make a decision on the status of the quarterback position, where Kyle Boller and Troy Smith may not be the answer. They will be in a position to draft a quarterback early, but may not get their hands on Matt Ryan. At wide receiver, they will also look to get more physical and taller. Earl Bennett is by no means a burner, but he’s a good jump-ball artist, and a long lean target. He could be there in the second round when the Ravens pick.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round picked in parenthesis): Ben Grubbs OG (1), Yamun Figurs WR (3), Marshal Yanda OT (3) Antwan Barnes LB (4), Le’Ron McClain FB (4), Troy Smith QB (5), Prescott Burgess OLB (6). Grade: B+
- Comments: It was business as usual for the Ravens, building through the draft. The team found two starters in Grubbs and Yanda, who are penciled in as the right side of their offensive line. The rest of their class features solid role players who fit their needs. The team could see a boon from if Troy Smith figures as a future starter at quarterback. The team was very high on the upside of Antwan Barnes, who adds depth to their pass rushing units. Keep an eye on Burgess, he’s a similar player to Bart Scott, who built his way up as a special teams player.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: Devard Darling (WR)
- Key Additions: Brendon Ayanbedejo (LB-Chicago) Frank Walker (CB - Green Bay)
- Top Remaining Needs: Outside linebacker/defensive end, inside linebacker, quarterback, cornerback.
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Cincinnati Bengals
Draft Strategy
The Bengals have needs on both the offensive and defensive lines to approach. At defensive tackle, they lack depth and a legit run stuffer. The team is rumored to be heavily interested in Southern California star Sedrick Ellis, who would fit their defense perfectly. After that, they need to add pass rushing end to backup the left side. At both guard and center, better run blockers are necessary. At safety, the team needs a solid zone-coverage player who can make quick reads, and could possibly make a jump on a player like Reggie Smith should he slip into the second round. A position to watch is running back, because the team may be concerned that Irons will never be the same player.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round picked in parenthesis): Leon Hall CB (1), Kenny Irons RB (2), Marvin White S (4), Jeff Rowe S (5), Matt Toeaina DT (6), Dan Santucchi OG (7), Chinedum Nduwke S (7). Grade: C
- Comments: Head coach Marvin Lewis added solid depth in the secondary in 2008. Hall became a starter almost immediately, though he had an up-and-down season. Both White and Ndukwe saw extensive playing time at season’s end, and one of the two will end up replacing the departed Madieu Williams. White should get the first shot at the position because he has more range than Ndukwe. A big question is how well will Kenny Irons return from a torn ACL in preseason? The team was counting on him to spell Rudi Johnson as a rookie, and overall the ground game lacked speed and explosiveness. Rowe is the third-string quarterback, Santucci is a backup at both center and guard and Toeaina was released.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: Madieu Williams (S), Landon Johnson (OLB), Justin Smith (DE)
- Key Additions: Daryl Blackstock (OLB- Arizona), Antwan Odom (DE-Tennessee), Ben Utecht (TE - Indianapolis)
- Top Remaining Needs: Guard, center, defensive end, outside linebacker.
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Cleveland Browns
Draft Strategy
General manager Phil Savage has limited picks because of trades for Williams and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (third round pick), the Browns don’t start until the fourth round. They still have needs, such as a backup running back who runs with power, such as Matt Forte of Tulane. A free safety with smarts and ball skills, like Craig Steltz, could give a push to Brodney Pool. At outside linebacker, they lack a pass rusher opposite Kamerion Wimbley. Both Ezra Butler and Casper Brinkley could be available in round four. The inside linebacker spot opposite D’Qwell Jackson could be open after a lackluster year for Andra Davis. The team needs a strong run stuffer at the position.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round picked in parenthesis): Joe Thomas OT (1), Brady Quinn QB (1), Eric Wright CB (2), Brandon MacDonald CB (5), Melila Purcell DE (6), Chase Pittman DE (7), Syndric Stepoe WR (7). Grade: B
- Comments: The pick of Joe Thomas solidified this class. Thomas was a huge part of the passing game’s revival, and he committed only penalty all season long. He’s already moved into the top-five left tackles in the NFL after only season in the league. Brady Quinn’s path was blocked by the emergence of Derek Anderson, but the team remains high on his upside as a starter. Wright, who started every game he played as a rookie, and McDonald are future starters at corner according to team sources. McDonald had a very flashy introduction, shutting down the Texans’ Andre Johnson in his first start in the league. Purcell, Pittman and Steptoe all spent time on the practice squad during the season.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: Chaun Thompson (LB)
- Key Additions: Donte Stallworth (WR - New England), Corey Williams (DE - Green Bay), Rex Hadnot (G - Dolphins),
- Top Remaining Needs: Cornerback, running back, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, free safety.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Draft Strategy
The Steelers need to address the needs on the offensive line. With the departure of Faneca, and shaky play everywhere else, it becomes an even bigger need. Branden Albert of Virginia seems like a natural fit if they choose a guard, and if they look at tackles look for the team to draft Jeff Otah. Otah is a physical guard who will help them out on the ground, and Steelers officials are rumored to be infatuated with him. On defense, the only great need is at free safety, where competition for Anthony Smith would be a plus. If the team wants Polamalu to be in the box and blitzing, it needs a good cover-1 style free safety like Jonathan Hefney to match up with him. Elsewhere, the team will likely start adding more athletic defensive tackles if they want to ever run head coach Mike Tomlin’s preferred cover-2 defense.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round picked in parenthesis): Lawrence Timmons OLB (1), LaMarr Woodley OLB (2), Matt Spaeth TE (3), Daniel Sepulveda P (4), Ryan McBean DE (4), Cameron Stephenson OG (5), William Gay CB (6), Dallas Baker WR (7). Grade: B+
- Comments: Woodley, Spaeth, Sepulveda and Gay all contributed as rookies. Woodley’s presence as a nickel linebacker allowed the team to allow Clark Haggans to depart in free agency. Spaeth was a great red zone threat and in-line run blocker. Sepulveda’s powerful directional kicking is a must in the bad weather AFC North, and he performed well. Timmons had trouble assimilating into the defense, and may end up being a project player. McBean and Baker didn’t make it out of preseason.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: Alan Faneca (G), Clark Haggans (OLB)
- Key Additions: Keyaron Fox (ILB- Kansas City), Mewelde Moore (RB - Minnesota)
- Top Remaining Needs: Offensive tackle, guard, center, wide receiver, defensive tackle, free safety, long snapper
Contact Luke at Luke@newerascouting.com