Ell’s 2025 NFL Draft Actual Grades: AFC North

Browns

Ell’s Draft Grade: A-

Actual Grade: A+

1^st round pick DT Mason Graham has helped improve the run defense playing well next to Myles Garrett. 2nd round pick LB Carson Schwesinger has proven to be a solid player taking over the MLB position. 2^nd round pick RB Quinshon Judkins has proven to be a solid RB. 3rd round pick TE Harold Fannin Jr. has taken over the starting TE job. 3rd round pick QB Dillon Gabriel has started games this season. 4^th round RB Dylan Sampson has shown flashes as the #2 RB. 5^th round QB Shedeur Sanders is the current starter and has proven he can play.  

Bengals

Ell’s Draft Grade: C

Actual Grade: B+

2^nd round LB Demetrius Knight Jr. was compared to LB Germaine Pratt making him expendable from day 1 taking his starting spot. 3^rd round pick Dylan Fairchild took over as day 1 starter at LG. 4^th round pick Barrett Carter took over the starting MLB job making Logan Wilson expendable. 5^th round pick Jalen Rivers is the starting RG. 1^st round pick DE/Edge Shemar Stewart has brought toughness, but the production hasn’t been there like in college.

Ravens

Ell’s Draft Grade: B-

Actual Grade: C+

1st round pick Malaki Starks has played well as the starting FS from day 1. 4^th round pick Teddye Buchanan has been the starter at OLB from day 1. 6th round pick K Tyler Loop has been a solid replacement for Justin Tucker. 2^nd round pick Edge Mike Green has shown flashes early in the season. 6^th round pick DE/DT Aeneas Peebles showed flashes early in the season.  

Steelers

Ell’s Draft Grade: B+

Actual Grade: B+

1^st round pick Derrick Hamon has been a day 1 starter at DE. The 2^nd round pick for WR D.K. Metcalf turned out to be a smart move. 3rd round pick RB Kaleb Johnson has shown flashes but is #3 on the roster. 4th round pick LB/Edge Jack Swayer has shown flashes as a backup/rotation player. 5^th round pick NT/DT Yahya Black has been in the defensive rotation as a run stopper. 6th round pick QB Will Howard showed flashes before injury as the #3 QB. 7th round pick LB Carson Bruener made the roster and has made plays.