2024 NFL Mock Draft: Strategic first-round selections for each AFC North team
By Beau Adams
It's mock draft time again, and we are looking at the AFC North.
The toughest, most talented and competitive division in football is undoubtedly the AFC North. Currently, heading into Week 16, three of the four teams in the division are holding a playoff spot, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are still in the hunt. So, this isn't the most compelling for our mid-season mock draft, but it has to be the most strategic if the Baltimore Ravens, Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, or Cleveland Browns want to get a competitive edge competition.
The Steelers have the No. 16 pick, and previously, we dove into some of their best options. They have needs at defensive back; they are ranked 29th in passing defense and allowed 3400 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. They also need to shore up their interior O-line.
AFC North teams looking to get stronger through the 2024 NFL Draft
The Bengals are having a down year, losing Joe Burrows to injury mid-season. It's a testament to the organization that they are 8-6 and in a playoff spot. Tee Higgins is in the final year of his rookie deal, and indications are he will be leaving to rejoin Clemson teammates Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne in Jacksonville. So the Bengals will need to add a WR; additionally, they need to improve their pass protection.
The Browns traded their first-round pick to the Texans in the Deshaun Watson trade, so we won't hear from them today. If you were curious, the Texans used Brown's 26th pick in our Mick draft to draft Washington WR Rome Odunze.
The Ravens are making a compelling case that they are the AFC's best team and will be representing in the Super Bowl. They will finally have the 32nd pick today and need to get Lamar Jackson, a durable and capable running back and another WR target.
The Green Bay Packers at 11 took Jayden Daniels, So when the Cardinals offered the Steelers the 17th and 67th pick to move up to No. 16, they took it and are up on the clock at No. 17 now.