2009 AFC North Draft Review

Baltimore Ravens


Baltimore addressed several need positions, drafting heir
apparents to offensive tackle, pass rusher, defensive back,
linebacker, tight end, and running back. Joe Flacco could have
used another feature pass catching wide receiver; however, one
may emerge from the depth and talent at the position. The
offensive line is in a minor state of flux with Jared Gaither taking
over at left tackle. He made numerous mental mistakes in 2008.
Ben Grubbs has the talent to be a future Pro Bowl player. Matt
Birk is new, but solid at center. Marshal Yanda is still recovering
from injury, so Chris Chester may start at right guard. Willie
Anderson is the right tackle for now. Michael Oher is the wild
card that may be used to plug the first leak. The Ravens look to
have a solid future with an ascending quarterback in Flacco, a
strong running attack that can finish a game, a top five defense,
and solid special teams. Michael Oher was important enough to
the Ravens’ future that they traded up to get him. He has the
ability to play either tackle, but will start out on the right side. He
plays with good knee bend and balance in his base. He is equally
as strong in the run game as he is as a pass protector. Oher has
some playing deficiencies, but nothing that can’t be overcome.
Paul Kruger will start out as an outside linebacker and put his
pass rush skills to the test opposite Terrell Suggs. Active and
relentless in his play, he can control an offensive tackle and will
beat a tight end one-on-one. Lardarius Webb was called a poor
man’s Ed Reed before the draft. Now he can learn to play in the
secondary from the real deal. Webb is tough and has good ball
skills. While learning the nuances of NFL secondary play he will
contribute on coverage and return special teams. Jason Phillips
is tough and instinctive and is a good fit to back up Ray Lewis.
He tore a meniscus in his left knee at the Combine that will keep
him out about twelve weeks, but he has the talent to make the
team and contribute on special teams. Davon Drew is more receiver
than blocker at tight end. He has experience playing several
receiving positions. He will add depth to the team with the injury
histories of Todd Heap and LJ Smith. Cedric Peerman was the
most athletic running back at the Combine and had the fastest
forty-time for the backs. If he stays healthy he has a chance to
make the team as a third down back. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.

FREE AGENCY: Veteran center Matt Birk comes over to the
Ravens from Minnesota to fill the loss of Jason Brown who signed
with St. Louis. Domonique Foxworth will replace long-time corner
Chris McAlister who was not offered a new contract. Chris Carr
is a dangerous kickoff and punt return specialist. Brown and
linebacker Bart Scott were two major losses.


Cincinnati Bengals


Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, but the Bengals had luck
and draft preparation on their side in this draft. Cincinnati drafted
perhaps the best offensive tackle, one of the top inside linebackers, a
multi-tooled pass rusher, and a big pass catching tight end. Quality and
depth were acquired throughout the eleven selections. Andre Smith is
going to start at right or left tackle; wherever line coach Paul Alexander
feels the talented blocker is more comfortable. If he demonstrates
consistency in his overall game, his future is unlimited. He was the most
naturally gifted offensive lineman in the draft. Rey Maualuga will give
veteran Dhani Jones a run for his money at the middle linebacker spot.
He is an explosive downhill player that will fill the running lanes with
an impact hit. The bottom line is that he is very powerful, quick, fast,
and can cover the pass. Michael Johnson has a chance to make a
statement and move ahead of Frostee Rucker and Antwan Odom. He is
more physically gifted than either end. If he plays to his athletic numbers,
he has a chance to be special. Chase Coffman was a steal in the third
round and gives Carson Palmer another medium to short area clutch
receiver. The high cut classic receiving tight end will give match-up
problems to defenders in the red zone and will snatch anything close to
him. Jonathan Luigs will battle Kyle Cook and Dan Santucci for the
center position. Another solid pick by the Bengals will help solidify the
offensive line for the future. Kevin Huber didn’t have to change
addresses after he was drafted by the Bengals. He led the country in net
punting both his junior and senior years in college. Morgan Trent fits
into Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme as a cover-two press corner. The
big athletic three-year starter is active, smart, and plays with good
awareness. Bernard Scott is one player with a shady background that
the Bengals rolled the dice on in the 2009 draft. He is extremely talented
and athletic. If this leopard changes his spots, he can help win games as
a running back and a return specialist. Fui Vakapuna fills a void as a
true short-neck blocking fullback (5111, 244). If he can stay healthy, he
will contribute as a lead blocker and occasional pass catcher. Athletic
Clinton McDonald is an undersized defensive lineman (6016, 285) but
is very productive with seven sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. He must be
a slant and angle type player to be effective. He adds depth. Wide
receiver Freddie Brown is a possession type that has size and good
hands. He had twelve catches for 125 yards in the win over Alabama in
the Sugar Bowl. A developmental receiver, he had a strong senior year
and a good spring workout. GRADE: GOOD.

FREE AGENCY: Receiver Laveranues Coles was the big ticket free agent
signee after Houshmandzadeh left for Seattle. JT O’Sullivan will back up
Carson Palmer. Defensive tackle Tank Johnson will rotate at that position.
Big hitter Roy Williams knows coordinator Mike Zimmer’s scheme and
will be covered up in passing situations. Houshmandzadeh was a major loss.


Cleveland Browns


The Cleveland Browns’ best off season move may be one they didn’t
make, and that was to keep Brady Quinn instead of making a possible
trade to Denver. The winner of the Quinn, Derek Anderson quarterback
battle will benefit from the new bevy of wide receivers and upgraded
offensive line. The Browns hit a homerun with their selection of center
Alex Mack and a pair of ascending pass catchers in Brian Robiskie and
Mohamed Massaquoi in the draft. The Browns needed a productive
pass rusher, but Kamerion Wimbley is on board and has the talent to be
a ten sack a year player if defensive coordinator Rob Ryan can keep
offenses from sliding their protections his way. David Veikune is a try
hard pass rusher, but will get a look at inside linebacker first. Alex
Mack is an upgrade at center and is the total package of leadership,
athletic ability, toughness, and intelligence. He joins Joe Thomas where
the two young building blocks should anchor the Browns’ line for years
to come. Brian Robiskie strengthens the receiving corps opposite
Braylon Edwards. A consistent hand catcher, he will help both young
quarterbacks by snatching the ball and limiting route running mistakes.
He should be able to break into the receiver rotation with his skills and
polish. Mohamed Massaquoi had a strong senior year where he caught
NFL caliber passes from Matt Stafford. He’s a possession type receiver
that has ascending skills. David Veikune is a great effort player that is
quick off the ball and is disruptive in his play. He will get a shot at an
inside linebacker spot, but may be used as a third down pass rusher. A
work in progress, Veikune has special skills, work ethic, and intensity.
Kaluka Maiava has borderline measurables and physical pro skills. To
make his mark, he must excel on special teams and play in a covered up
scheme. Don Carey is an athletic corner that is physical and quick.
He’s a developmental project that needs technique work but has the
ability to turn and run. He shows good recovery quickness. Coye
Francies has natural man-to-man coverage skills. He can turn and run
with no wasted motion. He is better in coverage than run support but
must become more technique conscious if he is to make the team. James
Davis is an explosive north-south upright runner that is not real elusive,
but will compete for a roster spot as a third down back. GRADE:
ABOVE AVERAGE.

FREE AGENCY: Floyd Womack and John St. Clair were brought in to
solidify the right side of the offensive line. Womack needs to stay
healthy if he is to beat out Rex Hadnot. Sure-handed Mike Furrey and
David Patten add veteran depth and an insurance policy if Braylon
Edwards leaves and Donte’ Stallworth is still working his way through
the legal system. Robert Royal will rotate with Steve Heiden at tight
end. Ten-year linebacker veterans Eric Barton and David Bowens know
Mangini’s defensive scheme. Hank Poteat and Corey Ivy are both
system cornerbacks.


Pittsburgh Steelers


The Steelers needed to add some much needed youth to the offensive
and defensive lines. Defensive end Evander Hood and offensive guard
Kraig Urbik fit the bill. A speed receiver was third on the Pittsburgh
wish list and Mike Wallace has the talent and speed to stretch a secondary.
Depth at cornerback was addressed next with Keenan Lewis and Joe
Burnett. The smart money is on the Steelers again in 2009 because of
the organization’s consistency in sticking to its long time model of
success. Evander Hood brings some needed youth to the defensive end
position. A good athlete that plays hard, he is strong enough to two gap
and absorb blockers to let the Steeler linebackers make plays. He has a
tendency to play high but is very technique conscious. Kraig Urbik
will have an opportunity to compete for a starting guard position with
Darnell Stapleton. The physical drive blocker uses his hands effectively
in the run game and can sit down and anchor a bull rush. Mike Wallace
fills the hole left by Nate Washington who left for the Titans in free
agency. He possesses rare speed and athletic ability. Raw in every
phase of his game, he has the speed and quickness to give him a chance
to play early in his career. He also has kickoff return skills. Keenan
Lewis is a tall and rangy corner with good athletic ability. He excels in
man-to-man coverage. He has long arms and quick feet. He was drafted
to eventually take over for aging veteran Deshea Townsend at right
corner. Joe Burnett is the sleeper of the Steelers’ draft. The corner/
return specialist brings playmaking ability to the table in his quest to
make the team. Quicker than fast, he’s a good athlete that has loose
hips. He can turn and run. Like most Steeler draft choices over the
years, he can multi-task, excelling as a return specialist as a punt and
kickoff returner. He was the only player in 2008 that was ranked in the
top ten in both kickoff and punt returns. He was consistently productive
as a corner and returner over his career. Frank Summers is a power
runner that will get a chance to be a goal line hammer. He is a poor man’s
Jerome Bettis. Summers has a low center of gravity and a strong lower
body to break tackles. Ra’Shon Harris is a developmental end or nose
tackle, depending on how the Steelers want to play him. He must play
lower and with more leverage to have an NFL future, but he has some
raw tools. A.Q. Shipley is a technique conscious center that must do
everything right to make the active roster. A good athlete that plays low
and with good knee bend, he is tough and intense but must overcome his
short arms to control defenders. David Johnson played tight end in
college but projects to a fullback or H-back type contributor. A good
blocker in space, he can read and adjust on the run. A developmental
project as a lead blocking I-formation fullback, he has the ability to play
on Sunday if he finds and excels in his role. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.

FREE AGENCY: The Steelers stuck with their prototype in free agency
and gave money to their own players and brought in a few cap friendly
free agents to add competition and depth. Keiwan Ratliff (DC), Shaun
McDonald (WR), and Dirk Johnson (PT) will all be hard pressed to
make one of the league’s strongest rosters.