Where does Steelers 2022 draft rank compared to other AFC North teams?

I genuinely believe the Bengals flopped on this draft class in a big way

The Bengals biggest needs coming into the draft in no particular order were cornerback, linebacker, guard, center, and defensive tackle. The only position they legitimately addressed in the draft was a defensive tackle which they did so in the bottom of the third round. Cincinnati already have a very good tandem at safety in Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III. Yet, the Bengals selected three safeties in this draft.

If you want to argue that the best player available is more important I understand. Their first pick, Daxton Hill, out of Michigan will probably beat out Vonn Bell at the safety position. However, there were many who thought Lewis Cine was the better Safety and he was drafted one pick later.

The second safety they drafted was Cam Taylor-Britt and he has spent some time at cornerback. Yet if he makes the switch it will be to nickel and that is where one of their best defensive players in Mike Hilton currently plays.

Meanwhile, both Andrew Booth and Roger McCreary were high valued outside cornerbacks coming into the draft and they were drafted in the first half of the second round. Only one center had been selected up to this point and there were still multiple strong candidates at guard that were also passed up.

One of their biggest hiccups was passing on Nakobe Dean twice. Dean was a top 15 prospect at one point heading into the draft and likely was the best player available when the Bengals made their first pick let alone when they passed on him the second time.

Teams were concerned about Dean’s size yet he was arguably the most productive inside linebacker in this class and could have been the case of taking possibly the best player available in one of their highest positions of need.

I give the Bengals a “C-” for this draft class and had it not been for how good I think Zachary Carter (DT), can be as their only need filling pick in this class they’d get a “D” grade.