The 2024 draft officially wrapped up on Saturday afternoon and saw nearly 20 additional players be drafted into the AFC North. All four teams in the division had at least three selections made on Day 3 to round out their incoming rookie classes.
Let’s recap and break down all the picks made in the AFC North on the draft’s concluding day.
Baltimore Ravens
Pick: No. 113 (R4)
Selection: WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina
With their first of two fourth-round picks, the Ravens added their first offensive playmaker of the draft. North Carolina’s Devontez Walker profiles as a big-play, deep threat type wide receiver who can make contested catches downfield.
His skill set is an ideal fit for the Ravens’ offense alongside Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman in the wideout room. Walker will diversify the team’s receiving core and add another playmaking threat for Lamar Jackson.
Pick: No. 130 (R4)
Selection: CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
The Ravens doubled-up at cornerback with the No. 130 pick, taking Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa off the board. Tampa was by many viewed as a Top-10 cornerback prospect and likely second-round pick. So, this is a great value selection for the Ravens in the second half of the fourth round.
Tampa has a strong physical profile with good size and length, which the Ravens covet at the position. He’ll join Nate Wiggins in giving the Ravens new youth and talent at the position behind returning starters Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens.
Pick: No. 165 (R5)
Selection: RB Rasheen Ali, Marshall
The Ravens made good on their promise to add a running back in this draft cycle, selecting Rasheen Ali in the fifth round out of Marshall. Ali’s stock took a dip after he suffered a torn biceps injury at the senior bowl. Prior to this, he had a productive sendoff collegiate season with over 1,100 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
Marshall is an explosive runner who can break off big plays and produce as a pass-catcher in space. The Ravens merely need depth at the position behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill as they await the return of Keaton Mitchell. Ali’s skill set fits well on paper within this group.
Pick: No. 218 (R6)
Selection: QB Devin Leary, Kentucky
In a surprising move, the Ravens drafted a quarterback with their sixth-round selection, taking Kentucky’s Devin Leary. Leary is a fifth-year senior who played one lone season for the Wildcats in 2023 after previously playing at North Carolina State.
Leary doesn’t profile as a scheme fit behind Lamar Jackson given his lack of rushing prowess but should compete for backup snaps alongside Josh Johnson and Malik Cunningham.
Pick: No. 228 (R7)
Selection: C Nick Samac, Michigan State
The Ravens drafted their first and only interior offensive lineman of the weekend in Round 7, selecting Michigan State’s Nick Samac at No. 228 overall. Samac started more than 30 games at center for the Spartans and is a good run blocker, particularly in zone-blocking scenarios. Without a true backup center currently on the roster, Samac could carve out a role for himself early on.
Pick: No. 250 (R7)
Selection: S Sanoussi Kane, Purdue
With their final pick of the day, the Ravens drafted their first safety and third defensive back in total. They took Purdue’s Sanoussi Kane at No. 250 overall, a two-year starter who produced with a lot of tackles at the position. Kane is a strong run defender and physical hitter. He could add needed safety depth for the Ravens in the backend.
Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: No. 115 (R4)
Selection: TE Erick All, Iowa
The Bengals added their second skill position player of the draft with pick No. 115, landing tight end Erick All out of Iowa. If not for season-ending injuries in the past two years, All’s stock likely would have been higher.
He has good receiving ability and is well-rounded as a pass-catcher. His route running skills should make him an immediate weapon for the Bengals, who have lacked consistent production at the tight end spot.
Pick: No. 149 (R5)
Selection: CB Josh Newton, TCU
The Bengals added to their secondary with pick No. 149 in the fifth round for the first time this weekend. TCU cornerback Josh Newton profiles as a physical press-man corner with good athleticism and awareness.
Cincinnati is not need of a starter at the position but added depth, in the form of a talented later-round prospect, is a plus. Newton is also a capable run defender who tackles well in space, so he could work his way into a rotational role in the near future.
Pick: No. 194 (R6)
Selection: TE Tanner McLachlan, Arizona
After drafting All in the fourth round, the Bengals opted to double-dip at tight end with this selection of Tanner McLachlan at No. 194 overall. McLachlan possesses ideal size at 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds. He tested well at the scouting combine and has good speed, which gives him upside as a pass-catcher over the middle of the field.
The Bengals evidently would like to get greater production from their tight end room and McLachlan could help out in that department right away.
Pick: No. 214 (R6)
Selection: EDGE Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss
Cincinnati tapped into the edge rusher pool with their second sixth-round pick, taking Cedric Johnson out of Ole Miss. Johnson has good size and athleticism for the position with a solid blend of pass-rushing ability and coverage skills.
The Bengals have added a number of edge rushers through the draft in recent years but have a glaring question mark in Trey Hendrickson, who reportedly requested a trade earlier this week. As such, it can’t hurt for them to have as much depth as possible.
Pick: No. 224 (R7)
Selection: S Daijahn Anthony, Ole Miss
Just 10 picks after taking Johnson, the Bengals nabbed his college teammate at Ole Miss in safety Daijahn Anthony. Anthony is a hybrid safety and nickelback defender who makes up for a lack of size with good coverage and playmaking skills. He recorded three interceptions this past season and closes fast to the ball.
Pick: No. 237 (R7)
Selection: C Matt Lee, Miami
The Bengals drafted their lone interior offensive lineman of the weekend with their final pick, adding Miami’s Matt Lee in the seventh round. Lee was a four-year starter and brings experience and pedigree to the table. He’s a solid zone blocker and shows good intangibles on tape. Cincinnati needed more interior depth after adding an offensive tackle in Round 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: No. 119 (R4)
Selection: OG Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
Pittsburgh’s run on offensive lineman continued in the fourth round, where they nabbed Mason McCormick at No. 119 overall. Like Zach Frazier, their Day 2 selection, McCormick was a multi-year starter and team captain in college.
The small-school product is a strong blocker in the run game, where he frequently gets into the second level of defenses. He’ll add further depth on the interior to the Steelers’ suddenly revamped offensive line core.
Pick: No. 178 (R6)
Selection: DT Logan Lee, Iowa
The Steelers continued to strengthen their trenches in Round 6 but this time on the other side of the ball, as they drafted defensive tackle Logan Lee out of Iowa. Lee is a high-motor player who makes up for a lack of traditional size with good technique a knack for the ball. Pittsburgh is not especially deep on their front-seven, so Lee could compete for rotational snaps early on.
Pick: No. 195 (R6)
Selection: CB Ryan Watts, Texas
Pittsburgh addressed their cornerback position with their final pick of the draft, landing Ryan Watts out of Texas. At 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Watts is one of the bigger cornerback prospects in this year’s class while also possessing one of the longest wingspans. He’s physical in coverage and could have the ability to move to safety given his size.
Cleveland Browns
Pick: No. 156 (R5)
Selection: WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville
It took until the fifth round but the Browns added another wide receiver, which they typically do in the draft, by taking Louisville’s Jamari Thrash with pick No. 156. Thrash led the Cardinals in all major receiving categories this past season, displaying an impressive combination of route-running and athleticism throughout the year.
He’s a bit undersized but compensates with these aforementioned qualities, as well as good toughness to help him break tackles. Thrash joins a crowded wide receiver room in Cleveland but can be a quality depth piece and insurance down the line.
Pick: No. 206 (R6)
Selection: LB Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
The Browns snagged linebacker Nathaniel Watson in Round 6 out of Mississippi State, a position where they’ve had some turnover in recent years. Watson led the SEC in total tackles last season while also tying for the lead in sacks, showcasing his versatile skill set.
He should be an immediate impact special teams player with upside to contribute defensively as well.
Pick: No. 227 (R7)
Selection: CB Myles Harden, South Dakota
The Browns used their first of two seventh-round picks on a cornerback, taking South Dakota’s Myles Harden at No. 227 overall. Harden is a physical prospect at the position who, at 5-foot-11, has shown good coverage instincts and run support ability. Cleveland has one of the league’s better cornerback groups but Harden can provide good depth and special teams prowess.
Pick: No. 243 (R7)
Selection: DT Jowon Briggs, Cincinnati
The Browns’ concluding selection of the day went towards a defensive tackle, as they drafted Jowon Briggs out of Cincinnati at No. 243 overall. Briggs is a stout presence on the interior defensive line with good measurables and a high motor. The Browns are evidently prioritizing adding some more depth along their front seven.
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