The 2020 NFL draft was unlike any that had come before. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the draft had to be held virtually. However, the draft was still very eventful, as cameras were put in the homes of the players, coaches, and staff. Below I break down how each AFC North did in the draft, the best, worst, and most surprising picks, and predict winners for each division for next season. How each AFC North team did:
Ravens:
The ravens had a very good draft overall. The Ravens really needed a linebacker and they got the best one in the draft with Patrick Queen from LSU in the first round. In the second round, they made their offense even more explosive with Ohio State running back JK Dobbins. With Jackson’s quarterback skills and Dobbins running the ball, their offense will be hard to defend. The Ravens also improved their offensive line with picks later in the draft.
Bengals:
After an agressive free agency, the Benglas did what was expected and took Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in the draft. With the addition of Tee Higgens in the second round, who had 59 receptions and 13 touchdowns last season at Clemson, the Bengals are possibly getting the next AJ Green, Andy Dalton combination. The Bengals spent the rest of the draft filling in different needs. No one can be sure until the season starts, but it seems like the Bengals had one of their best drafts yet.
Browns:
The Browns needed to take a tackle in the first round and they did that, selecting Jedrick Wills from Alabama. The rest of their draft did not have many exciting picks, but they filled their needs. The one concern is that they did not draft a receiver. Although they have OBJ and Jarvis Landry, last season did not go well with them, with the Browns having the 22nd overall offense in the league. Drafting a receiver would have been beneficial to the Browns since this was one of the best receiver classes, but if the Browns can get a current player to step up, they should be fine.
Steelers:
The Steelers did not have a first round pick because they traded it for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins last season. The first player the Steelers drafted this year was Chase Claypool, a Notre Dame wide receiver. Claypool was a very good receiver at Notre Dame and should make an immediate impact on the Steelers offense. It is still unsure of who would be throwing to him next year though, as Big Ben could still be injury ridden and Mason Rudulph has some issues of his own. One of them will have to be the starter though, as the Steelers did not draft a quarterback. With their second pick the Steelers took Alex Highsmith, an All American linebacker. He is expected to start as a backup and later become a starter. The Steelers added another offense player with running back Anthony Mcfarland. They used the rest of their picks to fill in holes in their roster.
Best pick:
Somehow Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb was still available for the Cowboys who had the 17th overall pick. CeeDee Lamb was projected by many to be the first receiver drafted, so it was a surprise that he fell far enough that the Cowboys could get him without trading up. Lamb will be a great addition to the Cowboy’s offense. Although the Cowboys weren’t in desperate need of a receiver, Lamb was too good to pass up. He won’t have to be the number 1 receiver right away and can take time to adjust to the NFL. This pick is beneficial to QB Dak Prescott, as he gains another great receiver.
Worst pick:
The Seahawks used their first round pick on linebacker Jordyn Brooks from Texas Tech. Jordyn Brooks was not expected to be a first round pick, and the Seahawks already have very good linebackers in Wright and Wagner, so taking a linebacker with their first pick just doesn’t really make sense. Also, Russel Wilson is 31, so it seems like the Seahawks would want to draft someone who could have an immediate effect, not someone like Brooks who will likely not start immediately.
Most surprising pick:
Jordan Love- why did the packers trade up to get him when he definitely would have still been there and why would the Packers use their pick for the QB when they really don’t need one. This pick is them telling Rodgers that the organization does not believe he is the future. They also sent Rodgers that message when they did not draft any receivers in a class that was full of them. Also, if the Packers want a new franchise QB, Love just really does not seem like the best choice.
Division winner predictions for next season:
AFC East: Bills
AFC North: Ravens
AFC South: Titans
AFC West: Chiefs
NFC East: Cowboys
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Buccaneers (Saints close behind)
NFC West: Seahawks
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