AFC North 2025 NFL Draft Grades: Analysis of Every Team's Picks

The Ravens just keep doing what they do best: draft smart. Under GM Eric DeCosta, Baltimore consistently adds players who fit their mold, and this year was no exception. First-round pick Malaki Starks brings a dynamic, rangy presence to the secondary, while Emery Jones in the third and LaJohntay Wester in the sixth were savvy selections that stand to pay off.

Jones offers value on the offensive line, though it’s still unclear if he'll stick at tackle or move inside. Another solid haul from a team that knows how to draft. If Mike Green pans out, this draft could be a home run.

Credit where it's due—the Bengals zeroed in on their most glaring issues along the defensive line, at linebacker, and on the interior offensive line. That said, their approach raises some eyebrows.

How Stewart pans out at the next level could make or break this Bengals draft class. The freakish athlete lit up the 2025 Combine with testing numbers that mirrored Myles Garrett, but the production just hasn't matched the hype yet—4.5 sacks across three college seasons leaves a lot to be desired. Still, if the light comes on for him in the NFL, the payoff could be enormous.

Knight is a rugged run-stopper but brings limited juice as a pass rusher. And Dylan Fairchild in Round 3? That felt like a bit of a head-scratcher. All in all, this rookie class might not move the needle right away for a team that needs help sooner than later.

The Browns were one of the draft's biggest rollercoaster rides, making headlines from start to finish. They made waves early by trading out of the chance to grab Travis Hunter, then stirred up even more chatter by snagging Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round. Cleveland also doubled down at running back, bringing in a promising duo with Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins, and took two shots at solving the quarterback puzzle with Sanders and Gabriel. They still have glaring holes at wide receiver and on the offensive line, but there's no denying they found sneaky good value across the board, especially with Sanders, who could throw his hat into the starting quarterback race as early as 2025.

The Steelers were rumored to be a prime landing spot for Shedeur Sanders every time they went on the clock through the first four rounds, but they kept passing. That sure feels like a hint that there's quiet confidence Aaron Rodgers will eventually call Pittsburgh home. And when you view this draft class through that lens, it looks pretty sharp. Derrick Harmon plugs a major hole on the defensive line, bringing a bruising, well-rounded game that holds up equally well against both the run and the pass. Their second-rounder was shipped off to land DK Metcalf, which is a big-time win on its own.

On offense, Kaleb Johnson fits this Steelers system like a glove. After torching defenses as an outside-zone runner at Iowa, he's primed to take over as Pittsburgh’s new lead back right away. Fourth-round snag Sawyer could end up being a sneaky good pick too, he's not the flashiest athlete, but all he ever did was produce, no matter the situation.