Draft Grades - AFC North: Strong grades across the board in cutthroat North
With the 2015 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors handout 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 | WR Breshad Perriman |
| 2 | TE Maxx Williams |
| 3 | DT Carl Davis |
| 4 | DE Za'Darius Smith |
| 4 | RB Javorius Allen |
| 4 | CB Tray Walker |
| 5 | TE Nick Boyle |
| 5 | G Robert Myers |
| 6 | WR Darren Waller |
The Ravens' decision to trade up for Williams was masterful, as it was later reported the Steelers had him in their sights with the very next pick. Perriman is a bit of a risky pick, but he has tremendous upside and could be the missing piece the Ravens need to return to Super Bowl contention. However, not finding a cornerback in the early rounds is a bit of a disappointment. As always, general manager Ozzie Newsome stockpiled picks to increase his chances of hitting on mid-round prospects.
Grade: B+
Cincinnati Bengals
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | OT Cedric Ogbuehi |
| 2 | OT Jake Fisher |
| 3 | TE Tyler Kroft |
| 3 | LB Paul Dawson |
| 4 | CB Josh Shaw |
| 4 | DE Marcus Hardison |
| 5 | TE C.J. Uzomah |
| 6 | S Derron Smith |
| 7 | WR Mario Alford |
The Bengals' first two selections are luxury picks, but they're ones the team can afford to make, and more importantly, ones that could become necessities if the team's starting tackles depart in free agency after the season. Dawson and Shaw are both excellent values and the kind of players Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis have made a habit of scooping up. Alford is a nice value in the seventh round.
Grade: A
Cleveland Browns
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | DT Danny Shelton |
| 1 | C Cameron Erving |
| 2 | DE Nate Orchard |
| 3 | RB Duke Johnson |
| 3 | DT Xavier Cooper |
| 4 | S Ibraheim Campbell |
| 4 | WR Vince Mayle |
| 6 | CB Charles Gaines |
| 6 | TE Malcolm Johnson |
| 6 | TE Randall Telfer |
| 7 | LB Hayes Pullard |
| 7 | CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu |
The Browns addressed needs - both now and in the future - early on in the draft. Shelton will immediately shore up one of the NFL's worst run defenses, while Erving will boost the team's run-blocking prowess and perhaps succeed Alex Mack should the two-time Pro Bowler opt out of his contract after 2015. Johnson is a curious selection with both Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell on the roster, but he brings big-play ability that neither of those second-year tailbacks possess. Ekpre-Olomu is well worth the risk in the seventh round, even if a major knee injury forces him to redshirt as a rookie.
Grade: B+
Pittsburgh Steelers
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | LB Bud Dupree |
| 2 | CB Senquez Golson |
| 3 | WR Sammie Coates |
| 4 | CB Doran Grant |
| 5 | TE Jesse James |
| 6 | DT Leterrius Walton |
| 6 | DE Anthony Chickillo |
| 7 | S Gerod Holliman |
As usual, general manager Kevin Colbert stayed in his draft slot instead of exploring options to trade up or down. It bit him in the butt when the Ravens traded up one spot ahead of the Steelers in the second round to target the tight end the Steelers reportedly coveted, Maxx Williams. The Steelers were lucky to see Dupree fall into their laps in the first round. Doran Grant was a nice mid-round value pick and James is a good consolation prize after missing on Williams.
Grade: B-