My observations and guesses on what each of the four AFC North teams might do with their first-round picks tonight. Answers are based mostly on my opinion but also on each team's needs, rumors circulating through the Land of the Internet and each team's draft history.
And, oh yeah, I'm mostly guessing. So are you. Let's enjoy the draft.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
1. Draft A.J. Green. See my earlier blog post for exact reasons why.
2. Draft Blaine Gabbert. To me, he's a cut above Andy Dalton and Christian Ponder. Regardless of what happens with Carson Palmer, the Bengals have to get a promising young QB in this draft. Gabbert has flaws and questions, but he has tools and can make NFL throws. The goal is not be picking this high very often, so the chance for a big-time QB might not come again.
3. Draft Nick Fairley. The guy has big-time talent and has apparently scared some teams off with concerns about his work ethic and demeanor. The Bengals have banked on such guys before. Wouldn't be a shock by any means; did Fairley not look like the slam-dunk No. 1 pick in the national championship game?
To put a number on it, I'd say 50% Green and 25% on each of the other two.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
1. Draft A.J. Green. The best player at a position of great need. A blue-chip playmaker for a team that needs plenty. An offensive threat for an offensive-minded head coach and a young QB who's been given the keys. If only they knew Green would still be on board.
2. Trade down. The Browns have holes to fill at lots of positions and multiple holes to fill in the defensive front seven. They'll field some calls and look at adding a future first-rounder or multiple picks in this draft. If there's a fit, they should pull the trigger. Getting three picks in the top 40 or five in the top, say, 70 seems like a good bet. Potential trade partners include the Rams, Texans, Patriots and Falcons.
3. Stay put, even if Green is gone, and take either Patrick Peterson, Fairley or Cameron Jordan. I'm taking the stance that I'll be very surprised if they get Julio Jones at No. 6.
If Green or Peterson are still on the board at 6, I have to believe the Browns will be sprinting to turn in the card.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
1. The Ravens' two most pressing needs are both on the edge. They need speed at receiver and they need help at cornerback. Their history says they won't be afraid to trade up into the teens to target either Prince Amukamura or Jimmy Smith if either is available after the Texans at No. 11 and the Lions at No. 13.
2. Stay put and take Cameron Heyward. He doesn't fit one of their most pressing needs but his versatility fits their defense to a T and he's ready to be a high-level NFL player right now. The Ravens have their QB and need to draft for right now with time ticking on Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and a few other core guys.
3. Trade down, allowing another team to do what they did in getting Joe Flacco a few years back. The Ravens could then look at filling the receiver need with Jonathan Baldwin or Jerrel Jernigan, or maybe even a corner like Miami's Brandon Harris.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
1. Trade up into the teens in an attempt to pick Maurkice Pouncey's twin brother, Mike. This would address one of the Steelers' biggest needs and soldify the interior of the offensive line. The Steelers are in position to give up a couple draft picks to do it.
2. Stay put and take Heyward or Harris. Corner is the bigger need, but Heyward would be a great fit.
3. Trade out of the first round altogether, adding an extra second round pick or two and positioning themselves to fill multiple needs on Friday. If a QB-hungry team wants to come up into the end of the first round and give the Steelers a chance to wait 'til tomorrow on a guy (or guys) they really like, why not do it?
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