2010 NFL Rookie Preview: AFC North

Archive

This isn’t a team preview series, but it’s a way to show how each team’s draft could affect the 2010 season for them. Starting in August, Inside Pulse Sports will start its NFL Preview.

Signings are as of 3 PM CST July 29, 2010.

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens

May Draft Grade: A-

Signed
#57 Terrence Cody NT, Alabama – The first day at camp was embarrassing for Cody who couldn’t pass the conditioning test, but the next day he passed. Questions about his weight control will continue to impact his playing time and role with the team. But when he plays, he’s going to be unmovable. Reportedly did better than expected in minicamps over the summer, but after failing the first test, he’ll have to show he deserves playing time.

#70 Ed Dickson TE, Oregon – Will compete with Pitta for number two TE spot behind Todd Heap.

#114 Dennis Pitta TE, BYU – See Ed Dickson. John Harbaugh has praised both during the offseason.

#156 David Reed WR, Utah – Will be given a chance to return kicks, but more impressively, he played very well in summer workouts. Coach John Harbaugh was said to be impressed by him. If anything this year, he’ll be a decent option at slot receiver.

#157 Arthur Jones, DE/DT, Syracuse – Injuries caused him to drop from a potential first round pick prior to the 2009 football season to a mid-round pick. He’ll provide depth for the strongest unit on the Ravens.

#194 Ramon Harewood, OT, Morehouse – Had a little knee trouble during offseason workouts, but seems to be well for camp. He’ll just get a shot at providing depth along the offensive line.

Unsigned
#43 Sergio Kindle OLB, Texas – Kindle will miss all of training camp after suffering a fall at a friend’s house last week. There had been reports prior to the draft that he suffered from narcolepsy. At his friend’s house, he fell down 2 flights of stairs and suffered a fractured skull. It’s unlikely that he’ll get much playing time at first, but towards the end of the year, health willing, he’ll be playing more.

Cincinnati Bengals

May Draft Grade: B+

Signed
#54 Carlos Dunlap DE, Florida – Dunlap will be used mostly in pass rushing and third down situations in the rotation of Bengals defensive linemen.

#84 Jordan Shipley WR/KR, Texas – Shipley will be used as a slot receiver this year. Ran some with the first team in offseason camp. Carson Palmer is going to have many weapons this year.

#96 Brandon Ghee CB, Wake Forest – Primarily a special teamer this year, but will compete for the third corner position as Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph are a top flight NFL corner tandem. Will compete against Morgan Trent, David Jones, and Keiwan Ratliff.

#120 Geno Atkins DT, Georgia – Will be used primarily in third down situations.

#131 Roddrick Muckelroy LB, Texas – suffered a broken hand last month, but will still be in training camp. Provides depth in 2010.

#152 Otis Hudson G, Eastern Illinois – depth.

#191 Dezmon Briscoe WR, Kansas – Will compete against Matt Jones, Jerome Simpson, and Quan Cosby. My money’s on Briscoe.

#228 Reggie Stephens G/C, Iowa State – depth.

Unsigned
#21 Jermaine Gresham TE, Oklahoma – The starting spot is his if he doesn’t hold out for a few days into training camp. If he doesn’t sign early enough, Reggie Kelly will hold it, at least at the beginning of the season.

Notable undrafted free agents:
Rahim Alem DE, LSU

Cleveland Browns

May Draft Grade: C+

Signed
#38 T.J. Ward SS, Oregon – competing with fellow rookie Larry Asante for the free safety starting slot. Asante was looking better than Ward at first, but Ward has overtaken him. Ward then had to miss some time and the race for the starting free safety spot will continue throughout camp. Ward seemed like a reach in the draft, and it’s showing so far.

#59 Montario Hardesty RB, Tennessee – has a chance to take the most reps at running back and number one on the depth chart. He stood out at offseason workouts. Hardesty has had knee issues in the past, but for now he has the edge over Jerome Harrison who missed most of offseason workouts.

#85 Colt McCoy QB, Texas – Reports are that McCoy won’t be seeing much time, if any, during the regular season in 2010. The Browns signed Jake Delhomme and traded for Seneca Wallace.

#92 Shawn Lauvao G, Arizona State – Providing depth this year, but has an outside chance of getting some playing time.

#160 Larry Asante S, Nebraska – competing with TJ Ward for starting free safety.

#177 Carlton Mitchell WR, South Florida – Figures to have a great chance of winning a starting job with Cleveland’s WR situation. He could become Delhomme’s number one target.

#186 Clifton Geathers DE/DT, South Carolina – depth at defensive end for a strong front 3 for the Browns.

Unsigned
#7 Joe Haden CB, Florida – going up against Sheldon Brown and Eric Wright for starting corner spots. This is too close to call right now, but I think Brown and Wright will be starting. Over the summer, there have been concerns, as there were before the draft, about Haden’s speed. Brown has been teaching Haden some tricks of the trade.

Pittsburgh Steelers

May Draft Grade: B

Signed
#52 Jason Worilds OLB, Virginia Tech – Coach Tomlin said earlier in the offseason that he was impressed with Worilds’ transition from a DE in college to OLB in the 3-4. He’s being groomed to replace James Harrison eventually.

#82 Emmanuel Sanders WR/KR, SMU – the starters are Hiney Wards and Mike “60 Minutes” Wallace, so Sanders will compete with Antonio Brown for time. Has great speed.

#116 Thaddeus Gibson OLB, Ohio State – will be moved to OLB in the 3-4, transitioning in training camp will show what type of impact or playing time he’ll get this year.

#151 Chris Scott OT/G, Tennessee – had foot surgery on June 30th, so he’ll miss a good portion of the season, but not all of it.

#164 Crezon Butler CB, Clemson – with who the Steelers have at corner, Butler will have a chance to show if he deserves playing time or even starting time this season. Secondary coach Ray Horton said during the offseason that Butler impressed him in camp.

#166 Stevenson Sylvester ILB, Utah – will play inside linebacker, which will be a switch from his OLB college position. Mainly providing depth this year.

#188 Jonathan Dwyer RB, Georgia Tech – will compete with Isaac Redmond during training camp for short yardage situations. If he impresses, he could play even more.

#195 Antonio Brown WR, Central Michigan – will compete with Sanders for playing time at receiver.

#242 Doug Worthington DE/DT, Ohio State – depth.

Unsigned
#18 Maurkice Pouncey C/G, Florida – Mike Tomlin has said that Pouncey will compete for the starting center spot in training camp. Will no doubt help improve Pittsburgh’s offensive line woeful pass protection.

Notable undrafted free agents:
Lindsey Witten OLB, Connecticut