Success At The NFL Draft

Looking back, the AFC North might have had the best draft in the league.

Look at these names: Sergio Kindle, Joe Haden, Terrence Cody, Colt McCoy, Maurkice Pouncey, Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta, Jordan Shipley, Jermaine Gresham, Emmanuel Sanders, and others.

The Baltimore Ravens added youth on defense and bolstered their offensive attack. Sergio Kindle and Terrence Cody—drafted in the Second Round—were some of the best value picks in the whole draft.

Kindle will have a solid role in the Ravens defense. He won't face the pressure of starting, but will be used on key positions. Terrence Cody, on the other hand, has been proving doubters wrong.

He has reportedly lost 25 lbs. since the Senior Bowl. Kindle will create trouble with Haloti Ngata against rushing attacks that come their way.

On the other side of the ball, Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta were two great tight end selections. Dickson is more of an athletic tight end that can run 20 plus yards down the field.

Pitta is more of a Dallas Clark (yes, the comparison is huge), that can get big chunks of yards from the slot position. These players highlighted another great draft from the Ravens organization.

The Cincinnati Bengals make a compelling argument as well. Offense was first on the Bengals agenda, and the selections of Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley did just that.

Gresham was the best tight end in this year's class. He brings explosiveness Carson Palmer needs at the tight end position.

Jordan Shipley has great value. He has been compared to Wes Welker, and the potential is there. His ability to be in the slot could be a reason he may have 100 plus catches a season in his future.

Brandon Ghee was also a solid selection at cornerback to bolster the already strong secondary.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, amid the controversial off-season, had a pretty solid draft as they normally do.

The two picks I am going to talk about are on the offensive side of the ball.

Center Maurkice Pouncey has plenty of potential, and should do quite well in the Pittsburgh Steelers  offense.

From what I saw of him in Florida, if Pittsburgh can get back to the running game, this is where he will be most effective.

Another receiver that caught my eye is Emmanuel Sanders. He was a great value pick in the third round.

I love the guy's confidence already. He expects to win AFC Rookie Of The Year. He may indeed get a chance to start due to the departure of Santonio Holmes. Mike Wallace and Sanders will be the key to Pittsburgh's success this year.

The Cleveland Browns highlighted their draft with two big names in Joe Haden and Colt McCoy.

Haden was rated as the best cornerback to come out of this class. His skill set is already making him fit in with Mangini's defense.

Colt McCoy is the future of the Cleveland Browns. His rookie season will consist of knowing the game plan inside and out so he can take the starting job in 2011.