The AFC North was represented very well in the 2020 postseason as they had three teams make the playoffs. The Browns, Steelers, and Ravens all enjoyed postseason football and they will now enjoy beefing up their roster with some great first round talent in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.
With that being said, let’s take a look at predictions for who each AFC North team will take in the first round of the draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers need to spend some quality time on making some ugly picks and one of the picks they could do that with is their first-round pick. I think the Steelers will snag Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Leatherwood is the most experienced offensive lineman in this year’s draft class and the Steelers need a plug and play guy. The Steelers could bait on a younger and more promising talent at the position, but the fact that Leatherwood is NFL ready to start on day one could make that decision lean in his direction.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens need to add some weapons for Lamar Jackson and they could do so in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The Ravens have expressed a ton of interest in LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. and he could be an outstanding talent for the team to draft in the first round.
Marshall complimented both Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase at LSU, but still put up big numbers himself. This would be an A-plus selection for the Ravens.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns need to land some help at the linebacker position and they could do so with the addition of Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins. I have Collins sliding quite a bit in my mock draft, but he could really go anywhere in the first round.
Collins would be a plug and play guy at linebacker for the Browns and his ability to do everything well could make him an appealing option for the team. If they take him in the NFL Draft, fans should be excited with the player they get.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals currently own the number five overall pick, and they could really just pick the best player available. Barring that a team doesn’t make a trade with Atlanta to move up and snag a quarterback, I have the Bengals picking up Joe Burrow’s college teammate Ja’Marr Chase.
In my mock draft, I have the Falcons snagging tight end Kyle Pitts, but if they trade their pick he could fall into the Bengals’ laps. If Pitts isn’t available, Chase seems like the obvious pick to me.
