NFL Draft Review: AFC North

It seems to be a two-horse race in a division separated by the (QB) haves and have nots.

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NFL DRAFT RECAP SERIES: NFCE || AFCE || NFCN

AFC NORTH 2025 NFL DRAFT RECAP

There is a smash-mouth brand of football that accompanies the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens have won the past two divisions. Much of their success has been on the back of Eric DeCosta, who has been with the organization for 30 years! For the past seven years, DeCosta has served as general manager, a torch passed down from his predecessor, Pro Football Hall of Fame legend Ozzie Newsome. It’s the confidence, experience and job security, which allowed the Ravens to stick to their board and draft the best available player, even if it came with red flags. When striving for greatness, sometimes you have to take risks. Baltimore will be better for it and might be the team to be beat in the entire AFC.

A bounce back season is expected from the Cincinnati Bengals. Led by All-Pro quarterback Joe Burrow, the team went mostly defensive with their draft selections but did add some offensive line depth. While Chase Brown is expected to see the lead running back role, don’t be surprised if Tahj Brooks receives some third down work and eats into some of his touches during the second half of the season. The Bengals need to get off to a fast start. They have buried themselves in such a hole early on that they have failed to qualify for the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. Look for them to reverse that trend this year.

In one of the more curious draft decisions, the Pittsburgh Steelers ignored their need for a quarterback until late on Day 3, when they decided to pull the trigger on Ohio State signal-caller Will Howard with the 185th overall selection. Not exactly viewed as franchise status, Howard could get thrust into the fire as a rookie due to the lack of options on the current roster. The team made some typical ‘Pittsburgh’ selections in defensive linemen Derrick Harmon, Jack Sawyer and Yahya Black, which should help boost the defense but where this team turns for points will be a storyline worth monitoring. The backfield duo of new running back Kaleb Johnson and the spry Jaylen Warren isn’t going to carry them very far on their own. Never say never, this could be the first losing season in history for 19-year head coach Mike Tomlin.

It could be another long season for the Cleveland Browns. They have turned the state of the quarterback position into a dire situation. No one knows for certain who will line up under center for Week 1 but it’s sure to be an entertaining training camp battle with third round pick Dillon Gabriel (photo: Cleveland Browns) of Oregon and fifth round pick Shedeur Sanders of Colorado battling for a roster spot behind former first round picks Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco. The organization opted to bypass the premier player in the entire draft (Travis Hunter), which is all the evidence you need as to why this franchise continues to pick atop the NFL Draft on an annual basis.

The Ravens and Bengals are viewed as the two serious contenders amongst the division. They will challenge the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills for supremacy in the AFC. Meanwhile, it looks as if it could be a lost season for the Steelers and the Browns fans will be brown-bagging it again by midseason.

OVERALL IMPACT SCALE:

5 = Major Impact || 4 = High Impact || 3 = Average Impact || 2 = Low Impact || 1 = No Impact

BALTIMORE RAVENS

ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL

Rd.1 No.27. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia — A high-floor player, Starks can step in at either safety spot, slide in at nickelback, or be used as an occasional blitzer. Playing side-by-side next to Kyle Hamilton gives Baltimore the most dynamic safety duo in the NFL.

Rd.2 No.59. Mike Green, ER, Marshall — A twitchy edge rusher with a full arsenal of pass-rush moves, Green can straight up flatten opponents. With strong leadership in tact, GM Eric DeCosta was able to stick with best available player, despite the off-field concerns.

Rd.3 No.91. Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU — There is no urgency for Jones to start but he could, if needed. In the interim, he’ll serve as an ultra-valuable swing tackle who can backup both spots.

Rd.4 No.129. Teddye Buchanan, LB, California — This was a tremendous value grab, as Buchanan is an off-ball linebacker who can be utilized in pass-rush situations. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him starting by season’s end.

Rd.5 No.141. Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M — One of the longest players in the draft pool, Vinson proved that he could hang with top-competition during his Senior Bowl week. He is viewed more as a developmental prospect.

Rd.6 No.178. Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan — Possibly looking ahead at some expiring contracts, the Ravens plucked Kone, who will likely factor as a special teams contributor as a rookie.

Rd.6 No.203. LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado — Arguably the best return man in the draft, Wester can also provide some snaps in the slot due to his slippery elusiveness and burst.

Rd.6 No.210. Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech — While he may pale in comparison to his new defensive line counterparts in terms of size, length and speed but Peebles just shows up play, after play with the temperament of a shark.

Rd.6 No.212. Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers — The Ravens will have depth, along with flexibility in the secondary, as Longerbeam can line up inside/outside and boost special teams.

Rd.7 No.243. Garrett Dellinger, OG, LSU — With a medical report than runs longer than a weekend chores list, Dellinger slid. However, he has started at every position along the offensive line and comes with high character.

OVERALL IMPACT = 4 High Impact

CINCINNATI BENGALS

ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL

Rd.1 No.17. Shemar Stewart, ER, Texas A&M — Blessed with elite-level athleticism and excellent versatility, Stewart has all the desirable traits that NFL teams crave, despite the lack of production. Can he the Bengals tap into the potential?

Rd.2 No.49. Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina — More of a traditional downhill thumper, Knight Jr. consistently shows up around the football but can be a liability in pass coverage. That said, he brings a contagious energy and keeps his head on a swivel.

Rd.3 No.81. Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia — An aggressive run-mauler who climbs into the second level with ease, Fairchild is a sound player with experience who needs to develop his pass protection prowess.

Rd.4 No.119. Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson — Hyped as a top recruit, Carter had a productive career, owns great range and is solid in pass coverage but the amount of missed tackles that show up on film is alarming.