2010 NFL Draft Grades: AFC North
ByAFC North
Baltimore
Picks: (2) #43 Sergio Kindle, LB, (2) #57 Terrence Cody DT, (3) #70 Ed Dickson TE, (4) #114 Dennis Pitta TE, (5) #156 David Reed WR, (5) #157 Arthur Jones DT, (6) #194 Ramon Harewood OT
Overview: Baltimore’s defense doesn’t want to hear about what is going on with the Jets. They draft a linebacker who can step in for Ray Lewis when he decides to retire but also help him tremendously right now. Ray Ray will also make sure Mt. Cody’s weight never becomes a concern again. Arthur Jones is an underrated defensive tackle who will also stop runners at the first level. They still need to address their cornerback concerns but they don’t have to worry about a tight end any more. Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta are two sure-handed receivers with NFL-ready bodies. The will help Joe Flacco and Ray Ric tremendously. Reed is a possession receiver, built in the mode of Wes Welker or another former Ute, Steve Smith. Harewood is a project that they have the ability to work on.
Grade: A-
Cincinnati
Picks: (1) #20 Jermaine Gresham TE, (2) #54 Carlos Dunlap DE, (3) #84 Jordan Shipley WR, (3) #96 Brandon Ghee CB, (4) #120 Geno Atkins DT, (4) #131 Roddrick Muckelroy ILB, (5) #152 Otis Hudson OT, (6) #191 Dezmon Briscoe WR, (7) #228 Reginald Stephens OG
Overview: Carson Palmer must have been smiling for the past three days. First he got the good news that he’ll have a reliable offensive tight end to stretch the field with Gresham. Then Bengal brass blessed him with Shipley and Briscoe to go opposite of OchoCinco and make some plays. The Bengals still didn’t address the backfield but did well on defensive grabbing under-achieving end Dunlap and tough guy Gee in rounds two and three.
Grade: C+
Cleveland
Picks: (1) #7 Joe Haden, (2) #38 T.J. Ward S, (2) #59 Montario Hardesty RB, (3) #85 Colt McCoy QB, (3) #92 Shawn Lauvao OG, (5) #160 Larry Asante S, (6) #177 Carlton Mitchell WR, (6) #186 Clifton Geathers DE
Overview: The Haden pick was a highlight. He’s an athlete you can plug in to your defense, treat him right and watch him operate for the next 8-10 years. Hardesty has young legs and finally seemed to figure it out last year at Tennessee. Then there’s McCoy. The Browns may have gotten their franchise quarterback -a player they’ve been desperately searching for over the last 20 years- in the third round because this draft was so deep with interior line players who are the foundation of football teams. They also got defensive backfield help and some line depth. They seemed to get a little lazy toward the end because there was a lot more talent on the board than what they selected.
Grade: B+
Pittsburgh
Picks: (1) #18 Maurkice Pouncey OG, (2) #52 Jason Wolrdis DE, (3) #82 Emmanuel Sanders WR, (4) Thaddeus Gibson OLB, (5) #151 Chris Scott OG, (5) #164 Crezdon Butler CB, (5) #166 Stevenson Sylvester OLB, (6) #188 Jonathon Dwyer RB, (6) #195 Antonio Brown WR, (7) #242 Doug Worthington
Overview: The Steelers addressed the line immediately by grabbing Pouncey, a total road grater. Worldis fills a void on the defensive end and he can get to the quarterback as good as anyone out there. He’ll be a nice surprise. They hope Dwyer isn’t just a ‘system’ runner and that Sanders can replace some of Santonio Holmes departed production. Gibson, Sylvester and Worldis may be the future anchors of the Steel Curtain, they have that much talent. I think people are going to be shocked at the number of impact and Pro Bowl players this Draft will eventually yield. The values good teams like Pittsburgh got in the late round were tremendous.
