2016 NFL Mock Draft: AFC North
By jonfox
Instead of a traditional 2016 NFL mock draft, let’s look at the top three picks for each club as if the author was the GM for each team. Now: the AFC North. One last note before we begin: players can be picked more than once but only outside of the division. So, look at this as a mock draft in and of each division.
Baltimore Ravens
1. Joey Bosa, DL Ohio State
2. Jalen Mills, FS LSU
3. De’Runnya Wilson, WR Miss StateThe Ravens might succumb to the temptation that their season was flushed by losing so many players to injuries. The fact is that they were stealing from saturn and just weren’t going to be that good no matter what.
They need to admit that the Suggs/Lewis era is over and cycle through their talent. Getting Bosa and replacing Ed Reed at free safety is a good first start to this process.
Wilson is the type of possession wideout that they’ve missed since Boldin went out west also. If they hope to get anything from Perriman, they’ll need a chain mover.
Cincinnati Bengals
1. Shilique Calhoun, DE Michigan State
2. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB Tennessee
3. Christian Westerman, OL Arizona State
It’s amazing to look at the Bengals’ roster and not see any glaring holes. They do have some needs, but they’ve traditionally been “highest talent” type drafting team.
None of these picks might seem like that kind of decision on the surface, but they also have the advantage of being guys who fit their systems much better than most prospects.
Reeves-Maybin especially. He’s a mobile LB with good instincts who would be going to a defense that rewards that kind of player. And they could use reinforcement in their LB corps.
Cleveland Browns
1. Jared Goff, QB California
2. Devontae Booker, RB Utah
3. Eric Striker, OLB Oklahoma
The Browns need so much it’s hard to know where to begin. The only thing that can really be done would be a pure “best player available” draft and hope for the best.
Goff is no Andrew Luck type prospect but he is a guy that can be built around. He just needs a decent team around him and a smart offensive coaching staff or what’s the point?
Booker and Striker don’t fill a need, but the Browns just need the talent on the field. Especially with these two who are more ready to play than most prospects at their positions.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1. Jeremy Cash, S Duke
2. Joshua Perry, OLB Ohio State
3. Maurice Canady, CB UVA
The Steelers’ 2016 draft should be all about fixing that defense. Cash is my replacement for Troy Polamalu. He’s a strong safety who does best when he attacks.
Josh Perry and Canady are “eventual” starters for the Blitzburgh Defense. Perry can’t be worse than Jarvis Jones is as a blitzer(low bar to clear though) and probably is better in coverage.
Canady is a better version of Ras-I Dowling: big, handsy, aggressive. Perhaps he moves to free safety but he’s a press corner for a team that could use one.