Day 2 of the 2018 NFL Draft is now in the books, and each team in the AFC North has improved in some form or fashion.
One day after hauling in tight end Hayden Hurst and quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens continued to add offensive talent on Day 2, bringing in offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. with the 83rd overall pick, and tight end Mark Andrews with the 86th overall pick.
A pair of Oklahoma Sooners on Day 2 is a nice haul, but bringing in Orlando Brown is a head-scratcher. Yes, his father was a Ravens offensive lineman back in the day, but the younger Brown is a major project with movement issues for the position. Fortunately for Baltimore and Brown, that might not matter with Jackson as the quarterback of the future.
With Andrews, the Ravens actually got a better tight end with the 86th pick than they did with the 25th pick. The double dip at tight end was very odd by the Ravens, but they’re continuing to incorporate talent into a stale offensive.
The Cleveland Browns continued a strong start to the draft, grabbing Nevada tackle Austin Corbett with the first pick of the second round, as well as Georgia running back Nick Chubb, and Miami defensive end Chad Thomas on Day 2.
I’m a big, big fan of Corbett. I originally projected him to slide inside to guard at the next level, but he has the size and athleticism to play tackle in the pros. Plus, he gets to link up with his mentor, Cleveland guard Joel Bitonio, on the Browns’ offensive line. Corbett should be a Day 1 starter to protect Tyrod Taylor, and then Baker Mayfield into the future.
Nick Chubb is one of the top running backs in this draft, and Cleveland got him after three running backs (Saquon Barkley, Rashaad Penny, and Sony Michel) already came off the board. Chubb will come in right away and help the Browns establish a physical rushing attack that can wear defenses down.
With Thomas, the Browns drafted a sub-package pass rusher, who can kick inside on obvious passing downs, creating mismatches along the interior of the offensive line.
While the Browns had a strong Day 2, the Cincinnati Bengals hit home run after home run with where they picked on the day.
Following the selection of center Billy Price in the first round on Thursday, Cincinnati turned around on Day 2 and selected Wake Forest safety Jessie Bates, Ohio State EDGE Sam Hubbard, and Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson.
Talk about a defensive haul.
Bates was one of the top safeties available in the draft, so this one will cut Steelers Nation deep, while Hubbard provides a lot of versatility and athleticism to a loaded EDGE group in Cincinnati.
The best pick here is Jefferson, who should be a Day 1 starter for the Bengals, taking over as the face of the defense, likely pushing Vontaze Burfict out of the picture for the Bengals.
The Bengals had the best day on Day 2 out of the AFC North teams, while the Browns, Steelers, and Ravens followed up.
Day 3 offers a lot of intrigue for all four AFC North teams.
Buckle up.
