#255: 2021 NFL Draft Recap (AFC North with Bill Carroll)

What this episode covers

1. Bengals Draft Class -The Bengals ignored the advice we gave them on our Dash To The Draft AFC North Preview show and went with Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell. That said, you can’t deny Ja’Marr Chase is a pretty special prospect and aside from his established chemistry with Joe Burrow, what does he bring to the Bengals WR room that Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd lack? -With their second round selection, the Bengals invested in additional protection for Joe Burrow. That said, many believe they reached by taking Jackson Carman, who may have protected Trevor Lawrence’s blindside at Clemson, but projects far better at guard at the NFL level. What do you think of Jackson Carman based on his film, and does he improve the Bengals offensive line even slightly? -In the third round, the Bengals addressed the defensive front with their selection of edge rusher/LB Joseph Ossai out of Texas. In free agency, the Bengals pass rush was downgraded, in the views of some, by losing Carl Lawson to the Jets and throwing big money to Trey Hendrickson to replace him. Did the Bengals make up for that supposed mistake by taking Ossai? 2. Steelers -As everybody expected, the Steelers selected RB Najee Harris out of Alabama with the 24th overall pick. With Big Ben on his last legs and arguably the worst pass protecting offensive line in the entire NFL, is it hyperbole to suggest that Najee Harris will be the straw that stirs the drink for the Steelers offense in 2021? -With their second round pick, the Steelers kept Penn State TE Pat Freiermuth in Pennsylvania. Several guests on this podcast during the pre-draft process lauded Freiermuth’s blocking. Do you share that view and if so, do you see him being mostly utilized as that “sixth OL” this season due to the Steelers aforementioned issues at tackle? 3.  Browns -The Browns kicked off their impressive draft haul by filling that gaping hole at corner opposite Denzel Ward with Greg Newsome II out of Northwestern. Many had Newsome as the third best corner in this draft, and some even had him as THE best corner in this draft. Were you a big fan of his during the pre-draft process and how lethal of a duo can he and Denzel Ward be? -In the second round, the Browns traded up seven spots to stop the slide of our man Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. He fell in part due to a heart issue, but another reason why he fell is because of the uncertainty of how to utilize him. You said on our Dash To The Draft LB class special that JOK is mainly a box safety. However, given the lack of athleticism the Browns had at linebacker pre-draft, it is widely assumed the Browns will try him out there. What is the best way, in your view, for Browns DC Joe Woods to get the utmost out of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah if they do indeed play him at linebacker as opposed to box safety? 4. Ravens -With the first of their two first-round picks, the Ravens FINALLY selected a legit WR1 in Rashod Bateman. That said, the Ravens don’t have the best track record when it comes to drafting and developing first-round WR’s. Can Bateman buck that trend, and does he give Lamar Jackson what he needs to take that crucial next step as a passer? -In the first-round pick they got from the Chiefs in the Orlando Brown trade, the Ravens addressed the massive hole they had at EDGE with Penn State’s Odafe Oweh. Oweh was one of the freakiest athletes in this draft class, but his production in college was scant. Nonetheless, there was somebody named Danielle Hunter who had those same two basic things on his resume coming in and he went on to become a top-5 pass rusher. Of course, setting that as the base line of expectations for Oweh is foolish, but if there is any club that can help him reach his super high ceiling, it is the Ravens and DC Don “Wink” Martindale. Can you see Oweh becoming a Pro Bowl-level player in Baltimore?

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