Heading into Day 3, the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers have done good work in the 2024 NFL draft
As we knew going into this year’s NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns have had the fewest selections, along with the Miami Dolphins, through Day 2. Adding DT Michael Hall Jr. and OL Zak Zinter could help in the long run but the lack of needs on the Browns roster in 2024 minimizes the excitement.
The AFC North, the toughest division in football, continued to get better on Day 2 of the draft. Breaking down the first round for the division showed just how good each team is at drafting.
Curtiss Brown will be back after the draft concludes to break down each team’s overall draft classes but, for now, a quick look at what Day 2 brought to the Browns’ AFC North rivals on Friday:
Baltimore Ravens
Round 2 – OL Roger Rosengarten, Washington
Round 3 – Edge Adisa Isaac, Penn State
Rosengarten is a versatile player who can start right away at tackle or guard while Isaac brings a pass rusher who can immediately bring an impact situationally.
Cincinnati Bengals
Round 2 – DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Round 3 – WR Jermaine Burton, Alabama & DT McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M
Jenkins quickly becomes the Bengals replacement for DJ Reader in the middle while Burton has the skills to help replace Tee Higgins and/or Tyler Boyd. Burton’s off-the-field and character concerns didn’t deter Cincinnati nor did his lack of overall production. Jackson adds to the Bengals interior pass rush, which you can never have enough of.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 2 – OL Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Round 3 – WR Roman Wilson, Michigan & LB Payton Wilson, NC State
After drafting OL Troy Fautanu in the first round, the Steelers go back to the interior with the center Frazier. Pittsburgh has invested heavily in their offensive line the last two years, something desperately needed. After trading Diontae Johnson, adding the explosive and feisty Wilson across from George Pickens will make life more difficult for defenses.
On the field, Wilson performed like the top linebacker in the class but major injury issues, including new reports that he doesn’t have an ACL in one of his knees, had him drop here. If he can perform for at least his rookie contract, the Steelers got a huge steal.
As a Browns fan, which pick in the AFC North on Day 2 worries you the most? Do you think any of the above are big reaches/mistakes for the team that drafted them?
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