NFL Draft Grades - AFC North: Ravens, Steelers find QBs of future
With the 2018 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out their initial grades for how teams fared during all seven rounds.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Baltimore Ravens
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | TE Hayden Hurst |
| 1 | QB Lamar Jackson |
| 3 | OT Orlando Brown |
| 3 | TE Mark Andrews |
| 4 | CB Anthony Averett |
| 4 | LB Kenny Young |
| 4 | WR Jaleel Scott |
| 5 | WR Jordan Lasley |
| 6 | S DeShon Elliott |
| 6 | OT Greg Senat |
| 6 | C Bradley Bozeman |
| 7 | DE Zach Sieler |
The Ravens were one of the toughest teams to grade this year. Baltimore can't be knocked for their forward-thinking mentality, even if the team parted with a 2019 second-round pick in the Lamar Jackson trade-up. Selecting two tight ends could be considered questionable, but the Ravens came away with a number of solid prospects that filled multiple needs. Averett and Elliott were their strongest third-day picks. Overall, this class will live and die with Jackson.
Grade: B-
Cincinnati Bengals
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | C Billy Price |
| 2 | S Jessie Bates |
| 3 | DE Sam Hubbard |
| 3 | LB Malik Jefferson |
| 4 | RB Mark Walton |
| 5 | CB Devontae Harris |
| 5 | DE Andrew Brown |
| 5 | CB Darius Phillips |
| 7 | QB Logan Woodside |
| 7 | G Rod Taylor |
| 7 | WR Auden Tate |
Billy Price was not the best player available when the Bengals were on the clock in Round 1, but he filled the biggest need. Cincinnati was one of the draft's biggest winners between rounds two and five as well. Bates, Hubbard, Jefferson, Walton, and Brown all provided incredible value in their slots. Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis came away with a great overall class.
Grade: A-
Cleveland Browns
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | QB Baker Mayfield |
| 1 | CB Denzel Ward |
| 2 | G Austin Corbett |
| 2 | RB Nick Chubb |
| 3 | DE Chad Thomas |
| 4 | WR Antonio Callaway |
| 5 | LB Genard Avery |
| 6 | WR Damion Ratley |
| 6 | CB Simeon Thomas |
The Browns' 2018 class will be heavily discussed for years to come, and for good reason. Antonio Callaway was taken off a number of teams boards, making him a risk in the fourth round. Selecting Mayfield over Sam Darnold was an interesting choice, but one that could pay off. Denzel Ward was a surprise at No. 4, but Cleveland found outstanding value in Genard Avery, Nick Chubb, and Chad Thomas. Are the Browns finally turning the corner? Time will tell.
Grade: B
Pittsburgh Steelers
| RD. | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | S Terrell Edmunds |
| 2 | WR James Washington |
| 3 | QB Mason Rudolph |
| 3 | OT Chukwuma Okorafor |
| 5 | S Marcus Allen |
| 5 | FB Jaylen Samuels |
| 7 | DT Joshua Frazier |
After reaching for high-upside safety Terrell Edmunds in Round 1, the Steelers probably weren't going to receive higher than a C for their class. James Washington and Jaylen Samuels were both solid picks, but Pittsburgh also reached on Okorafor and Marcus Allen. Mason Rudolph was easily the most interesting selection of the bunch, giving general manager Kevin Colbert a potential replacement for Ben Roethlisberger down the road.
Grade: C