2007 AFC Central Draft Review

The Baltimore Ravens, led by veteran quarterback Steve McNair, returned to prominence in 2006, winning the AFC Central division. 2005 division winner Cincinnati and 2006 Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh fell off the pace -- and missed the playoffs -- while the Cleveland Browns continued their recent struggles with a 4-12 mark.

All four teams had major questions heading into the 2007 NFL Draft: the Ravens need to re-load with young talent to back an aging roster; Cincinnati needed to re-focus on character; the Steelers needed to adjust to the loss of head coach Bill Cowher and linebacker Joey Porter, and the pending switch to a 4-3 scheme; while the Browns are trying to rebuild. All four teams managed to address their needs, but Cleveland -- with the addition of offensive tackle Joe Thomas and quarterback Brady Quinn -- made arguably the biggest splash in the draft.

Baltimore Ravens

29. Ben Grubbs G/Auburn

74. Yamon Figurs WR/Kansas State

86. Marshal Yanda G/Iowa

134. Antwaan Barnes LB/Florida International

137. Le'Ron McLain FB/Alabama

174. Troy Smith QB/Ohio State

207. Prescott Burgess LB/Michigan

Trades: Traded 3^rd-round pick (#92 overall), 7^th-round pick (#239 overall) and 2008 third-round pick to Buffalo for RB Willis McGahee; traded 2^nd-round pick (#61 overall) to Detroit for 3^rd-round pick (#74 overall) and fourth-round pick (#101 overall); traded fourth-round pick (#101 overall), fifth-round pick (#166 overall), and sixth-round pick (#203 overall) to Jacksonville for 3^rd-round pick (#86 overall)

With the loss of Edwin Mulitalo, the Ravens needed size and talent on the interior of the offensive line, and the addition of Ben Grubbs from Auburn - who figures to start immediately - and 3^rd-round pick Marshal Yanda filled that need. Linebackers Barnes and Burgess are undersized, but fast players who may find a niche in the Ravens' aggressive 3-4 scheme. (Former Raven LB Adalius Thomas was a fifth-round pick before blossoming into a Pro Bowler.)

Adding Figurs in the third round may have been a reach; given the Ravens' ability to trade up for Iowa G Marshal Yanda, one wonders why they didn't try and move into the second round to pick up USC wideouts Dwayne Jarrett or Steve Smith, instead of trading down toward Figurs, who is projected by ESPN.com and others as no more than a return specialist. The selection of Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith drew media buzz, but seems an odd pick given that the Ravens could have gotten a developmental quarterback later in the draft - or, in the case of Boise State's Jared Zabransky and Pittsburgh's Tyler Palko, as a free agent.

The Ravens are a veteran team, and the window is closing fast, with stars like McNair and LB Ray Lewis on the wrong side of thirty. The Ravens had a decent draft, but beyond the selection of Grubbs, Baltimore did little to immediately bolster their 2007 roster or add young talent for the future.

Grade: B-

Cincinnati Bengals

18. Leon Hall CB/Michigan

49. Kenny Irons RB/Auburn

114. Marvin White S/TCU

151. Jeff Rowe QB/Nevada

187. Matt Toeaina DT/Oregon

230. Dan Santucci G/Notre Dame

253. Chinedum Ndukwe S/Notre Dame

Trades: none

The Bengals had a relatively quiet draft day, compared to the rest of the league. The selection of Leon Hall at number 18 was a smart selection, bolstering what should be a potent Cincinnati secondary. Kenny Irons has potential, but was an odd choice given that the Bengals already have Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry in the backfield, and probably could have addressed other needs in the second-round.

The Bengals' late-round picks will add depth; Notre Dame guard Dan Santucci may end being a seventh-round steal, while Cincinnati hopes to develop Jeff Rowe into a backup for Carson Palmer. The Bengals remain one of the league's most talented teams, but their 2007 draft, outside of the pick of Leon Hall, seems mostly forgettable.

Grade: B-

Pittsburgh Steelers

15. Lawrence Timmons LB/Florida State

46. LaMarr Woodley DE/Michigan

77. Matt Spaeth TE/Minnesota

112. Daniel Sepulveda P/Baylor

132. Ryan McBean DT/Oklahoma State

156. Cameron Stephenson G/Rutgers

170. William Gay CB/Louisville

227. Dallas Baker WR/Florida

Trades: Traded 4^th-round pick (#119 overall) and 6^th-round pick (#192 overall) to Green Bay for 4^th-round pick (#112 overall)

The Steelers stuck to defense with their first two picks, picking up Timmons and Woodley, both of whom should contribute instantly. Timmons, in particular, will replace departed ROLB Joey Porter and has the skill and athleticism to fill Porter's substantial shoes (even if those shoes had shrunk over the past two seasons). Third-round pick Spaeth will be an excellent counterpart to TE Heath Miller, and give the Steelers' offense the flexibility to work out of two tight end sets.

The decision to trade up for punter Daniel Sepulveda seems odd, but Pittsburgh needed to upgrade that position (Chris Gardocki is 37 and has struggled the last two seasons, with gross and net averages below the league mark) and the price was not terribly steep. Late-round selections Stephenson (a 2006 All-Big East selection, who played on the defensive line as a junior and stil has room for growth) and Dallas Baker - only the leading receiver on last year's national champions - could both be steals. The Steelers are only a year removed from a Super Bowl, and this draft has to be considered a success. Under new head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers look poised to again contend for the AFC Central crown.

Grade: A-

Cleveland Browns

3. Joe Thomas OT/Wisconsin

22. Brady Quinn QB/Notre Dame

53. Eric Wright CB/UNLV

140. Brandon McDonald CB/Memphis

200. Melila Purcell DE/Hawaii

213. Chase Pittman DE/LSU

234. Syndric Steptoe WR/Arizona

Trades: Traded 2^nd-round pick (#36 overall) and 2008 first-rounder to Dallas for 1^st-round pick (#22 overall); traded 2^nd-round pick (#67 overall), 4^th-round pick (#103 overall), and 6^th-round pick (#178 overall) for 2^nd-round pick (#53 overall) and 6^th-round pick (#195 overall); traded 6th-round pick (#195 overall) to Dallas for 6^th-round pick (#200 overall) and 7^th-round pick (#234 overall)

Three trades with the Cowboys led the Browns toward the most celebrated of the draft-day classes with Ohio native and Notre Dame product Brady Quinn joining the third overall pick, OT Joe Thomas and second-round pick cornerback Eric Wright.

This draft class is absolutely crucial for Cleveland; the Browns essentially gave up two second-round picks, a fourth-rounder, and a 2008 1^st-round pick (likely to be in the top half of the draft) for Quinn and Wright. As far as Quinn goes, he wound up in a solid position: playing for his hometown Browns, with left tackle Thomas protecting his blind side. Quinn's future success is obviously unknown - just ask Joe Theismann, who was critical of Quinn - but the Browns made the right move. The acquisition of Quinn will energize the fan base, and if he pans out, could very well be a steal. But the price was steep: a second-rounder and next year's first rounder. Quinn's development is crucial to the Browns' rebuilding process.

Thomas was seemingly unanimously regarded as the best offensive tackle in the draft, and was probably the safest choice for the Browns in the third slot. Cornerback Wright's character issues are well-documented, but as noted by numerous commentators, his talent is undeniable. It's possible that Cleveland picked up three Pro Bowlers in this draft - and just as possible that they acquired none.

The Browns' late-round picks should add depth, but none of the four selections project to be NFL starters any time soon. LSU defensive end Chase Pittman, taken in the seventh round, was a solid player for the Tigers and might be the best of the quartet.

With so many holes in the roster after a 4-12 season, the Browns needed to make a splash with this draft - and they certainly have. It's been a long, hard road for the second incarnation of the Browns, with just one playoff appearance in their eight-year history. If Quinn becomes a franchise quarterback and Thomas and Wright become starters, the Browns will become instantly better. But, by sacrificing next year's first-round pick, the Browns are betting their future on this year's three top picks. If Thomas, Quinn, or Wright fail, the Browns' recent futility will continue.

Grade: A