2023 AFC North NFL Draft Team Needs | Key Losses, Key Gains, List of Draft Picks, and More!

Baltimore Ravens

Draft Picks: 22, 86, 124, 157, 199
Team Needs: QB (?), DL, NB, OL, WR, RB
Key Players Gained: Odell Beckham (WR), Nelson Agholor (WR)
Key Players Lost: Ben Powers (OG), Josh Oliver (TE), Calais Campbell (DL), Chuck Clark (S)-trade, Marcus Peters (CB), Justin Houston (DE)
Franchise Tag: Lamar Jackson (QB)- “non-exclusive”, *unsigned*

The glaring need for the Ravens is to figure out their QB situation. Either they are going to fork out the money for Lamar Jackson or not. It would be interesting to see a deal made on draft day with the Ravens packaging Jackson with their 1st round pick to jump up and select Anthony Richardson. Other than that, they need to add some depth across their roster. DL needs the biggest assistance given the departure of Calais Campbell, and of course the Ravens will need help on their OL regardless of who’s the QB this fall.

Cincinnati Bengals

Draft Picks: 28, 60, 92, 131, 163, 206, 246
Team Needs: TE, CB, WR, OG, S
Key Players Gained: Orlando Brown (LT), Nick Scott (S), Irv Smith (TE)
Key Players Lost: Jessie Bates (S), Vonn Bell (SS), Hayden Hurst (TE),Samaje Perine (RB), Eli Apple (CB)

The Bengals picked up Irv Smith as a free agent from Minnesota and just recently re-signed Drew Sample. Yet, I feel they could still get better at the position in this draft. Losing Jessie Bates is going to hurt. The team is going to need last year’s first-rounder, Daxton Hill, to step up. Overall, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add some more bodies in that secondary. The Bengals need to add depth there as well as at the WR position. Other than that, they are in fairly good shape and should find themselves in the mix for the Super Bowl once again this season.

Cleveland Browns

Draft Picks: 74, 98, 111, 126, 140, 142, 190, 229
Team Needs: Edge, DT, DB, OL
Key Players Gained: Dalvin Tomlinson (DT), Juan Thornhill (S), Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (DE), Jordan Akins (TE), Elijah Moore (WR)-trade
Key Players Lost: Jacoby Brissett (QB), Hjalte Froholdt (OC), Taven Bryan (DT), Chase Winovich (DE), Deion Jones (ILB), Jadeveon Clowney (DE), John Johnson (SS), Kareem Hunt (RB)

The Browns are left without a first round pick after dealing for QB Deshaun Watson, and no longer have a second round pick after trading for WR Elijah Moore. The best course of action would be to help make the franchise favorite, Myles Garrett, happy. After releasing Jadeveon Clowney, they really need someone opposite of Garrett. Despite picking up Okoronkwo, I would still make an Edge Rusher, high priority. The DT position could probably get a little better. Additionally, I see opportunities to add to the depth chart at OL and DB.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Draft Picks: 17, 32, 49, 80, 120, 234, 241
Team Needs: NT, OT, CB, Edge
Key Players Gained: Cole Holcomb (LB), Patrick Peterson (CB), Nate Herbig (OG), Elandon Roberts (OLB), Keanu Neal (SS), Allen Robinson (WR)-trade
Key Players Lost: Cameron Sutton (CB), Robert Spillane (LB), Devin Bush (ILB), Trenton Scott (OG), Terrell Edmonds (S), William Jackson (CB), Myles Jack (LB), Mason Rudolph (QB), Chris Wormley (DT)

The Steelers brought in Patrick Peterson in order to milk whatever talent he has left in the twilight of his career. The way the talent lines up this year, the team would do best to obtain one of the stud CBs in the first round. An area that they can improve upon is NT. By drafting a player such as Mazi Smith or Siaki Ika, that could plug the middle for years to come. As the team addresses backups and overall depth, they’ll look to bring in some OL. There’s a real need for OT. Their edge rushers are solid, but you can always use backups and special teamers.

As you can see with the team’s draft picks, there’s a huge gap between their 4th and 7th-round picks. I think it would be foolish to say that the Steelers are just going to sit on the sidelines and watch a lot of talent pass them by. It wouldn’t shock me if they move one of their top few picks and trade down in that range.