The Red Zone Report | 2008 NFL Draft Needs: AFC North

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2008 NFL Draft Needs: AFC North

By Eddie Griffin ⋅ March 21, 2008 ⋅ Subscribe to The Red Zone Report

Will the Ravens tab Brian Brohm as their QB of the future? The AFC North didn’t quite go as planned in 2007. The Cleveland Browns, expected to be doormats, contended for the division title and for a playoff berth down to the wire, and the Baltimore Ravens, expected to be in the hunt in the AFC, found itself in the cellar, with everyone in the division staring up at the resurgent Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oh, and the Bengals turned out to be pretenders again.

Heading into April, Baltimore and Cincinnati will be looking to add the necessary pieces to make them serious players in the division once again, Pittsburgh will be looking to reload, and Cleveland, for once, will be taking it easy on draft day.

Here’s a look at the three biggest needs each team should be looking to address.

Baltimore Ravens (5-11 in 2007)

Coach: John Harbaugh (1st year)

Expectations were high for the Ravens entering 2007, after they went 13-3 and won the AFC North title in 2006. But, injuries and poor play all around doomed the Ravens to a 5-11 season, and as a result, Brian Billick’s nine-year tenure came to an end. Now, John Harbaugh is in the hot seat, and has a lot of rebuilding to do, starting with a couple of key needs that must be addressed through the draft.

Draft Day Needs

1. Quarterback: Harbaugh can’t rest his new team’s fortunes on the aging and perennially-injured Steve McNair, and the same can be said for Kyle Boller, who has had every opportunity to make the job his over the last five seasons.

They could go for Brian Brohm (or Matt Ryan if he falls) in the first round, but if they don’t take a signal-caller in the first, then Chad Henne or Joe Flacco should be there in the second.

2. Cornerback: Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle played only eight and six games last season, and are now into their 30s. There are so many talented corners available early in this year’s draft, and one of the first couple of picks should be used on nabbing one.

3. Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis has been one of the best in the league for the last decade, but he’ll be 33 when the season starts, and he has played the full 16 games only once in the last six seasons. There’s no doubt that Lewis has plenty still left in him, but hey, why not give a promising linebacker the chance to be tutored by one of the best there is, so that they can pick up where he leaves off when he hangs it up?

Cincinnati Bengals (7-9 in 2007)

Coach: Marvin Lewis (6th year)

Injuries, off-field issues, and inconsistencies on both sides of the ball were the story for the Bengals, blighting their chances to be a serious playoff contender. This could be a make-or-break year for Marvin Lewis. What holes do the Bengals need to shore up earliest in the draft to make Lewis feel a little more secure?

Draft Day Needs

1. Defensive tackle: The Bengals unsuccessfully pursued two-time Pro Bowler Shaun Rogers, getting one blow when their trade for him fell through, and having insult added to injury when he signed on with the rival Browns. If Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey are off the board by the time the ninth pick rolls around, Trevor Laws or Pat Sims would be good choices in round 2.

2. Linebacker: Injuries depleted Cincy’s linebacking corps last season, and it also didn’t help that former Georgia Bulldogs David Pollack (2006 neck injury) and Odell Thurman (suspension) weren’t on the field at all in 2007. If Ellis or Dorsey aren’t available, then their first pick can be used on USC’s Keith Rivers or Penn St.’s Dan Connor, but some might consider that a reach for Connor.

3. Free Safety: The Bengals saw star free safety Madieu Williams leave for greener pastures, signing a 6-year, $33 million deal with the Vikings. They don’t have to use their first or second picks on filling that need, as N.C. State’s DaJuan Morgan could still be there in the third, or they could wait until the fourth for Cal’s Thomas DeCoud.

Cleveland Browns (10-6 in 2007)

Coach: Romeo Crennel (4th year)

The Browns were one of the big stories of the NFL last season, going from doormat to playoff contender, as they won 10 games and were just edged out for a wild-card spot by the Titans. Phil Savage has been busy during the free-agency period, which leaves the Browns bare in the draft cupboard, but he’ll still look to make use of the picks they do have to aid their push towards the top of the AFC.

Draft Day Needs

1. Running Back: The Browns re-signed the rejuvenated Jamal Lewis. Steve Slaton or Mike Hart could be around in the fourth when the Browns finally pick, or they could go for one of the Big 12 trio of Allen Patrick, Dantrell Savage, or Tony Temple at some point.

2. Cornerback: The Browns gave up starting corner Leigh Bodden, who had a career season in 2007 (88 tackles, six INT) in the Shaun Rogers trade, so they need to find a replacement for him. Eastern Kentucky’s Antwaun Molden would be a great value pick, as the athletic small-school corner has a lot of potential. UConn’s Tyvon Branch has great size and speed (4.31 40 at the combine), and could be there in the fourth as well. Auburn’s Patrick Lee or Nebraska’s Zack Bowman could also be good possibilities.

3. Outside Linebacker: Willie McGinest only has a few more seasons left in him, so it wouldn’t hurt for the Browns to go after a young ‘backer with high potential to groom as his replacement.

Idaho’s David Vobora, Purdue’s Stanford Keglar, and Georgia Tech’s Gary Guyton have been jumping up the draft boards in the last several weeks, and they would be good mid-to-late round selections along with Nevada’s Ezra Butler, BYU’s Bryan Kehl, Florida State’s Geno Hayes, or Colorado’s Jordon Dizon.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6 in 2007)

Coach: Mike Tomlin (2nd year)

The Steelers held off the Browns the AFC North title in Mike Tomlin’s rookie season, but exited early in the postseason, with a heartbreaking home loss to Jacksonville in the wildcard round.

Draft Day Needs

1. Offensive Line: Ben Roethlisberger had a career season in 2007, throwing a team-record 32 touchdown passes, and Willie Parker was the NFL’s leading rusher before breaking his leg in Week 16 against the Rams.

However, the Steelers’ offensive line was beset by injuries and inconsistency, and gave up 47 sacks. And with Pro Bowl lineman Alan Faneca signing with the Jets, the offensive line must be a priority in the first round, where they could go for a tackle like Jeff Otah, Chris Williams, or Anthony Collins, or for Virginia’s Branden Albert, who has the potential to play both guard and tackle in the NFL.

It would be a good idea to use the first two picks on a tackle and a guard, since those are really their two most pressing needs, tough they could take a tackle in the first and wait until the third to draft Chilo Rachal of USC.

2. Wide Receiver: Past Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, Big Ben doesn’t have a sure #3 guy, though Nate Washington can make the spot his own after Cedrick Wilson’s release. But, even if Washington steps up, it’d be good to give him some serious competition by picking up a talented pass-catcher in the third or fourth round.

3. Free Safety: Starter Ryan Clark missed the last 10 games of the season after having his spleen removed following a Week 7 injury, and replacement Anthony Smith might be best known for having his guarantee of a win over the Patriots blow up in his face.

Clark’s going to be able to play again, but even if he comes back strong and starts in the season opener, it would be good to add a safety, if for no other reason than to add depth.

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