Spring Break
Steelers, Ravens Solidify Offenses
NFL Draft
Mike Mauro
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Sports
Mike Mauro will break down the draft grades for teams in the East, North, South and West divisions each day this week. Today he focuses on the North, while Wednesday will feature the South.
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers - A-minus
Without dealing up or down much, the Steelers came away with two major steals in this draft. Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall slid to them at No. 23 and Pittsburgh swiped him up. He is the perfect complement to Willie Parker and should have been drafted much earlier. In the second round, they took Texas receiver Limas Sweed - arguably the best of his position in the draft. A wrist injury hurt his stock but he is tall and will provide the big play when needed.
Third-rounder Bruce Davis from UCLA will play outside linebacker in the 3-4 and will be a terror for them. He is great at getting after the quarterback and his ability will be maximized in that system. Texas offensive tackle Tony Hills also had an injury hurt his stock this year but he has the long-term potential to start on their line. Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon in the fifth round is intriguing, because he may be able to provide some versatility like Antwaan Randle El used to on reverse passes.
Baltimore Ravens - B-plus
As always, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is a master at maneuvering the draft. When Matt Ryan got picked at No. 3, the Ravens wanted to trade down. They found a suitor in the Jacksonville Jaguars and were able to trade down and acquire picks. The player they were targeting was Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco and they traded back up to No. 18 to take him. While that was a little early for him to go, you can never risk losing out on a player you think can be a franchise quarterback, especially on a team that struck out with Kyle Boller several years ago in the first round. Baltimore did some great things with the rest of their picks as well, getting Rutgers running back Ray Rice in the second. He will contribute immediately and take some of the load off of Willis McGahee. With three picks in the third round, Baltimore found great value with each of them. Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden was arguably the Hurricanes' best player last season and can replace Ray Lewis when he retires. Tom Zbikowski from Notre Dame will contribute right away on special teams and his toughness fits perfectly on that defense. Offensive lineman Oniel Cousins also has the ability to step in and fill a void on their offensive line.
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers - A-minus
Without dealing up or down much, the Steelers came away with two major steals in this draft. Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall slid to them at No. 23 and Pittsburgh swiped him up. He is the perfect complement to Willie Parker and should have been drafted much earlier. In the second round, they took Texas receiver Limas Sweed - arguably the best of his position in the draft. A wrist injury hurt his stock but he is tall and will provide the big play when needed.
Third-rounder Bruce Davis from UCLA will play outside linebacker in the 3-4 and will be a terror for them. He is great at getting after the quarterback and his ability will be maximized in that system. Texas offensive tackle Tony Hills also had an injury hurt his stock this year but he has the long-term potential to start on their line. Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon in the fifth round is intriguing, because he may be able to provide some versatility like Antwaan Randle El used to on reverse passes.
Baltimore Ravens - B-plus
As always, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is a master at maneuvering the draft. When Matt Ryan got picked at No. 3, the Ravens wanted to trade down. They found a suitor in the Jacksonville Jaguars and were able to trade down and acquire picks. The player they were targeting was Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco and they traded back up to No. 18 to take him. While that was a little early for him to go, you can never risk losing out on a player you think can be a franchise quarterback, especially on a team that struck out with Kyle Boller several years ago in the first round. Baltimore did some great things with the rest of their picks as well, getting Rutgers running back Ray Rice in the second. He will contribute immediately and take some of the load off of Willis McGahee. With three picks in the third round, Baltimore found great value with each of them. Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden was arguably the Hurricanes' best player last season and can replace Ray Lewis when he retires. Tom Zbikowski from Notre Dame will contribute right away on special teams and his toughness fits perfectly on that defense. Offensive lineman Oniel Cousins also has the ability to step in and fill a void on their offensive line.
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