Re-grading every NFL team's 2020 rookie class: AFC North
With the 2020 NFL season officially complete, theScore's NFL editors re-evaluate the performance of each team's rookie class.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Baltimore Ravens
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | LB Patrick Queen |
| 2 | RB J.K. Dobbins |
| 3 | DT Justin Madubuike |
| 3 | WR Devin Duvernay |
| 3 | LB Malik Harrison |
| 3 | OL Tyre Phillips |
| 4 | G Ben Bredeson |
| 5 | DT Broderick Washington |
| 6 | WR James Proche |
| 7 | S Geno Stone |
Grade: B+
Plenty of rookies contributed to the Ravens in 2020, though none of them did quite enough to warrant a grade in the "A" range for the team's front office. Queen finished third in voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but critical errors offset some of his splash plays. Dobbins is the future of the Ravens' backfield, but we've seen Baltimore achieve success on the ground with several different runners recently, so it's hard to give him all the credit. Madubuike, Harrison, and Phillips all became depth pieces and experienced varying degrees of success, while Duvernay and Proche earned return roles on special teams. The Ravens still need help at wide receiver, and passing on some good ones who went in the second round last spring has to sting now.
Cincinnati Bengals
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | QB Joe Burrow |
| 2 | WR Tee Higgins |
| 3 | LB Logan Wilson |
| 4 | LB Akeem Davis-Gaither |
| 5 | DE Khalid Kareem |
| 6 | OT Hakeem Adeniji |
| 7 | LB Markus Bailey |
Grade: B+
Burrow and Higgins undoubtedly looked like hits, but the rest of the class underperformed after the Bengals held the first pick in every round. The good news for Cincinnati? Wilson, Davis-Gaither, Kareem, and Adeniji were all given extended playing time as rookies. The bad news? None of them played particularly well. That doesn't mean they won't grow into quality players, but the Bengals needed their rookies to exceed - not just meet - expectations in Year 1 to register a higher grade.
Cleveland Browns
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | OT Jedrick Wills Jr. |
| 2 | S Grant Delpit |
| 3 | DT Jordan Elliott |
| 3 | LB Jacob Phillips |
| 4 | TE Harrison Bryant |
| 5 | OL Nick Harris |
| 6 | WR Donovan Peoples-Jones |
Grade: B+
The Browns found a gem in Wills, who outperformed fellow left tackle and No. 4 pick Andrew Thomas. Wills and free-agent pickup Jack Conklin helped tighten an offensive line that struggled in 2019, providing Baker Mayfield with clean pockets, and giving Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt running lanes. Delpit missed the season with an Achilles injury, so it's worth watching his return in 2021. In Elliott, Phillips, Bryant, and Peoples-Jones, Cleveland discovered rotational pieces who appear ready to challenge for more playing time as sophomores.
Pittsburgh Steelers
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 2 | WR Chase Claypool |
| 3 | LB Alex Highsmith |
| 4 | RB Anthony McFarland Jr. |
| 4 | G Kevin Dotson |
| 6 | S Antoine Brooks |
| 7 | DT Carlos Davis |
Grade: A-
The Steelers used their sole top-50 pick on Claypool, who became the steal of the draft at No. 49. The big-bodied Canadian led all rookie wideouts with nine touchdown receptions, and he posted two more scores on the ground. His emergence could prompt Pittsburgh to let JuJu Smith-Schuster walk in free agency, and the club could then invest the savings elsewhere. The Steelers landed Highsmith too, who showed flashes as a pass-rusher after replacing an injured Bud Dupree down the stretch. Dotson also produced some good moments, and he could start in 2021 as the Steelers look to rebuild an aging offensive line. Any time a team without a first-round pick nets three quality contributors who are potential future starters, it's a win.