Dr. Roto’s Draft Reviews
NFC: West | East | South | North
AFC: West | East | South | North
Daily Dr. Roto—May 8, 2019
AFC North Draft Review (Offense Only)
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens needed to go out and get Lamar Jackson some help, and they did that, taking two receivers in the early rounds. They followed it up with some other good picks which should help add excellent depth to an already solid team.
WR Marquise Brown—Blessed with game-changing speed, Brown was the receiver who most draftniks had going to the Ravens. He’s a big play receiver who can take a dink or dunk from Jackson and turn it into a huge gain. Slight of build, Brown may find it hard to muscle up against some of the rougher CBs in the league, but his speed should be enough to win most battles.
WR Miles Boykin—Truth be told, Boykin only had one good season at Notre Dame, but scouts saw a tall, fast, athletic receiver who looks like he can continue to improve at the next level. There will be some early issue with his route running but expect him to be a good red zone target.
RB Justice Hill—Even though he might start the season out fourth on the RB depth chart, there is room for Hill to become the change of pace back for the Ravens. Gus Edwards is not much of a pass catcher, and Kenneth Dixon has not been able to stay healthy to this point in his career. If Hill shows well early, he might end up being a very underrated part of the passing attack.
QB Trace McSorley—A Penn State product, McSorley is a gamer who projects to be holding the clipboard as the QB3 behind Lamar and RG3.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals did a great job of addressing their multitude of needs. From a backup QB to LBs, to OL, to RBs, Cincy added at least seven or eight players who should make their final team roster.
TE Drew Sample—Sample is not a sexy pick, but he is adept at blocking and receiving which is uncommon for young tight ends. With Tyler Eifert dealing with a chronic back issue, Sample may be called on to play early this season.
RB Rodney Anderson—If only Rodney Anderson could stay healthy. On talent alone, he deserves to be more of a second-round pick than sixth-rounder. Anderson will get a chance to make the team, and if Joe Mixon should ever get injured, he could flash for a few games, exciting the fan base (unless he gets injured again).
RB Trayveon Williams—Williams has a good chance to become the next Gio Bernard, as Cincinnati seems to be looking to move on from him shortly. Williams was very productive as a runner and receiver at Texas A&M, and he will be an excellent complement to Joe Mixon.
QB Ryan Finley—Andy Dalton has not proven to be a winner which is why the Bengals were more than open to selecting a potential “QB of the future.” Finley is tall and moderately athletic, but he lacks the dominant arm that is necessary to succeed long-term in the NFL. To his credit, his accuracy is one of the best in this draft, so he should end up beating out Jeff Driskel for the backup job at some point this season.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns continued to add pieces on defense in this draft, but the truth is that their draft will all come down to how well OBJ fits in with his new team.
K Austin Seibert—Drafting kickers is never usually a great way to spend a draft pick, but the Browns must have seen something they liked in Seibert. More likely, they realize that incumbent kicker, Greg Joseph, was not as consistent as they wanted. Seibert will have every chance to win the job in training camp.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers moved up in the draft to find the Linebacker they desperately needed in Devin Bush. With Ryan Shazier doubtful to return, the Steelers need Bush to come in a be a leader on the field and in the locker room.
WR Diontae Johnson—Now that Antonio Brown is in Oakland, the Steelers knew that they had to add another receiver. With Johnson, they added a guy who reminds many scouts of former Steeler Emmanuel Sanders. Johnson is not the quickest receiver in this draft class, but he is savvy and runs great routes. He will establish quick chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger and be productive as a rookie.
RB Benny Snell Jr.—Snell gets a bad rap for not being much of a blocker or receiver, but he was one of the top runners in college football last year. With Le’Veon Bell now officially gone from the team, the James Conner Era begins. Jaylen Samuels will get most of the obvious passing down reps, but Snell could steal a series or two here and there as a rookie, with possibly more if Conner should ever go down with an injury.
TE Zach Gentry—The Steelers needed to replace the loss of Jesse James, and they did so with Gentry who had 49 receptions in the last two seasons for Michigan. Gentry is a huge target (6’8” 260 lbs.), and Big Ben loves throwing to his tight ends. Vance McDonald is secure as the TE1, but Gentry could end up being a solid reserve down the road.
Claim a Dynasty Orphan or Sign up for a high-stakes Dynasty Startup!
New league price points: $75, $150, $299, $500, $1000 and of course, huge cash payouts to the winners!
