The AFC North division has just gotten tougher for the Steelers since the conclusion of the draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a playoff appearance in 2021 after many projected them to be a losing club. They proved everyone wrong and got Ben Roethlisberger to the post-season one last time before they were quickly ousted by the Kansas City Chiefs. It was an up and down year that showed some promise in certain areas of the roster while it brought concern to others.
The offensive line has been a constant issue over the last couple of seasons, but the team addressed that in free agency. There were other immediate needs focused on in the free agency signing process such as cornerback, linebacker, and quarterback. The remaining needs were then turned to the draft to be the main emphasis to gain talent at.
The black and gold did just that and filled major needs that they did not accomplish filling in the free agency process. They got a young quarterback that could be a long-time starter, but they also added at other spots as well. They got defensive line depth and added a couple of young receivers to a depleted room.
It was a good draft overall for the Steelers and it made them a better roster. They seem to have upgraded their team when compared to last year, at least on paper. They have gotten significantly younger and added some skilled players to key positions.
This franchise is not the only team that has found talent through the draft process. The rest of the AFC North has also found ways of getting better during this past offseason and that includes the draft. It will be interesting to see how each class of incoming rookies works out in the NFL.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns entered this draft without their first or second-round selections. That affected their draft some as they could not get any top-tier talents in the early going due to the addition of a player like Deshaun Watson via trade. They did get some very valuable picks in 2022 despite not having a pick until 68 overall.
Their third-round selections had three players join the Browns franchise with positions like cornerback, wide receiver, and edge rusher entering the fold. Martin Emerson is not the best cornerback in this class and will need polishing at the next level. Alex Wright seems like a promising young pass rusher coming from a small school. David Bell had nice production in college but his lack of athletic traits are concerning. He was also connected with the Steelers at certain points of the pre-draft process.
Perrion Winfrey was a great value selection in the fourth round as many thought he would go at some point early in the second round. Cade York is a high pick for a kicker, but the Browns desperately need to find one and this is a big gamble in the fourth round. Jerome Ford should be a nice option to slowly get adjusted to the NFL level and become a complimentary piece behind the two players in front of him on the depth chart.
Michael Woods II did have a decent season in 2021, but many thought that he could potentially go undrafted, so the sixth round was a little rich for this player. Isaiah Thomas had a nice productive season in 2021 and brings some decent athletic traits along with him. Dawson Deaton brings in an extra offensive lineman to camp to try and compete for a depth role.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2022 NFL Draft with only six selections. They are coming off a Super Bowl and AFC North championship, a year after the Steelers held the title. This is a young and upcoming team that seems like it will compete for years to come with its high-powered offense.
Daxton Hill was a player that this team coveted the most and that was their first-round selection. The Steelers also showed a lot of interest in this defensive back coming out of Michigan. He is a very versatile player that can play multiple positions in the secondary, but he is primarily a safety.
Cam Taylor-Britt was their second-round selection, and he fits the size and athleticism that most teams look for in a young moldable corner. Zachary Carter rounded out their second day of the draft as they hope to create more pass rushers on the outside edge spot.
Cordell Volson was a nice value pick in the fourth round as he could turn into a solid starting option with time and coaching. Tyson Anderson stays in the state of Ohio and will be a solid depth piece that can also play special teams. Jeffrey Gunter was another solid value pick in the seventh round that can potentially develop into something as well.
Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers most difficult rivals throughout recent history have been the Baltimore Ravens. The games are still a nasty fight to the finish, but Baltimore might have gotten even better. They had a tough injury-riddled 2021, but they look to be poised for a big upcoming season.
They selected 11 players in the 2022 NFL Draft, some of the players were of interest to the Steelers. The team made a splash by trading away Hollywood Brown to the Arizona Cardinals for a first-round pick on night one of the event.
They selected Kyle Hamilton 14 overall after he fell further than most experts had thought. Tyler Linderbaum was their other first-round pick and they got away with two players that are the best at their position in this draft. Both were also on the Steelers radar and could have ended up wearing the black and gold.
David Ojabo was seen as a first-round pick before he tore his Achilles during his pro day. He is an investment, but he will become a great pass rusher at the next level. This was another interesting option for the Steelers heading into the pre-draft process when pick 20 came around. Travis Jones rounded out their second day with a run-stuffing specialist that impressed at the Senior Bowl. They got away with four impact players that improve this roster on day one.
Baltimore Ravens
The last day of the draft rounded out an already nice class and seemed to strengthen it for the Ravens. They got David Faalele out of Minnesota during the fourth round. The Steelers showed interest in this mountain of an offensive tackle that still needs to get quicker at the next level. Some have compared him to Al Villanueva, but he will take some work before he gets to that level of play.
Jalyn Armour-Davis was another player that the Steelers kept a close eye on during the pre-draft process. They even went to his pro day in Alabama. Charlie Kolar was their next pick as they look for some depth at the tight end position. Many do not think this tight end class was as good as the one last year.
Jordan Stout was the next to get picked by the birds as the punter from Penn State has some versatility. He has done kick-offs, field goal attempts, and of course, punts. He has a strong leg and is consistent in bad weather conditions. Isaiah Likely adds to the tight end room that will hopefully create a diamond with some intense internal competition.
Damarion Williams is a cornerback that was overshadowed by his fellow teammate, who also got drafted. Tyler Badie was the last selection in this draft, and he brings a player that could help in short-yardage situations. Running by a committee at a limited pace is something the team likes to do and Badie could get certain looks on offense.
The Steelers were already in a tough division before the draft and the event didn’t do them any favors. Each team got better and had a successful weekend on paper with the players they selected.