AFC North 2025 NFL Draft Outlook, Team Needs: Should Browns Go Shedeur Sanders at No. 2?

The AFC North have been beating up on each other for a long time. The Steelers have been the only team to have any recent success and it seems they want Sheduer Sanders in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. But could the also QB-needy Browns take Shedeur themselves at No. 2? Tipp Major looks and explores Sanders and other possible players in the first round that could help these teams in this AFC North 2025 NFL Draft Outlook and Team Needs article.

Tipp Major

Apr 23 2025, 3:00pm | 10 min read

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AFC North 2025 NFL Draft Outlook, Team Needs: Should Browns Go Shedeur Sanders at No. 2?

The AFC North is home to my favorite division nickname: The Black and Blue Division. For years, these teams have been beating each other to a pulp. Well, except for the Browns.

Regardless, the 2025 season is set to be a very interesting one for the teams from Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. And even in tomorrow's 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns have enough prime picks to maybe make a few splashes.

So, let’s talk first round draft selection possibilities for each AFC North team …

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AFC NORTH ODDS

Baltimore -115
Bengals +220
Steelers +400
Browns +2400

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Baltimore Ravens

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 27
2nd round: Pick 59
3rd round: Pick 91
4th round: Picks 129, 136
5th round: Pick 176
6th round: Picks 183, 203, 210, 212, 243

2024 Record and Division Finish

2024 Record: 12-5
Division Finish: 1st

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (QB) Josh Johnson, (WR) Nelson Aghlor, (WR) Diontae Johnson, (OT) Josh Jones, (OG) Patrick Mekari, (DL) Michael Pierce-retiring, (DL) Brent Urban, (LB) Chris Board, (LB) Malik Harrison, (CB) Arthur Maulet, (CB) Brandon Stephens, (CB) Tre’Davious White, (S) Ar’Darius Washington, (S) Marcus Williams
Notable Additions: (QB) Cooper Rush, (WR) DeAndre Hopkins, (CB) Chidobe Awuzie
Position(s) of Need: OL, CB, S, EDGE

At what point do we need to see fortune change for Lamar Jackson?

He gets better seemingly each year. Last year he did something no other QB has ever done and that’s throw for over 4,000 yards and rushing for over 900 yards, all while having a QB rating of 119.6, sheesh! Though somehow he missed out on the MVP award, which probably cut deep.

That pain couldn’t compare to the deep wound he would later face after his sure-handed buddy Mark Andrews dropped that pass in Buffalo.

The Ravens exhibited solid play, but there were noticeable weaknesses throughout the team. After clicking later in the season, the secondary for Baltimore was the noticeable weakness that should be addressed tomorrow.

The draft process in the Raven’s greenroom is always fascinating to observe. While they have had some misses, their recent drafts have seen far more successes. Bringing in a player like Maxwell Hairston, a cornerback from Kentucky, could disrupt passing lanes and potentially lead to more turnovers, giving Lamar Jackson and the offense more opportunities to shine.

Additionally, I've seen odds of +6600 for Hairston to be the first DB drafted in the first round. Several other teams also need a cornerback, so it's something to keep in mind!

Pittsburgh Steelers

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 21
3rd round: Pick 83
4th round: Pick 123
5th round: Pick 156
6th round: Pick 185
7th round: Pick 229

2024 Record and Division Finish

2024 Record: 10-7
Division Finish: 2nd

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (QB) Kyle Allen, (QB) Justin Fields, (QB) Russell Wilson, (RB) Najee Harris, (WR) Van Jefferson, (WR) Mike Williams, (TE) Mycole Pruitt, (OT) Dan Moore Jr., (OG) James Daniels, (Edge) Preston Smith, (DL) Larry Ogunjobi, (LB) Elandon Roberts, (CB) Donte Jackson, (CB) Cameron Sutton, (S) Damontae Kazee
Notable Additions: (QB) Mason Rudolph, (RB) Kenneth Gainwell, (WR) DK Metcalf, (WR) Scotty Miller, (TE) Donald Parham Jr., (DT) Daniel Ekuale, (DL) Malik Harrison,(CB) Brandin Echols, (CB) Darius Slay, (S) Juan Thornhill
Position(s) of Need: QB, RB, DL, WR

You can see those smoke screens from miles away! The Steelers never wanted Aaron Rodgers. This was supposed to be a distraction because they are seriously interested in Shedeur Sanders.

It just might be difficult to get him. The Steelers are drafting at pick 21 and would probably need to move up. As we saw last year with Michael Penix, anyone could take a chance on a hot young prospect.

But seriously, the only pick for this team is Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina. It’s Pittsburgh. It’s a running back. It’s a tradition!

Hampton is an every-down back who is one of the better pass-protecting RB’s in this draft. He can add instant offense to any team. Hampton makes too much sense.

Cincinnati Bengals

2025 Draft Picks:

1st round: Pick 17
2nd round: Pick 49
3rd round: Pick 81
4th round: Pick 119
5th round: Pick 153
6th round: Pick 193

2024 Record and Division Finish

2024 Record: 9-8
Division Finish: 3rd

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (RB) Khalil Herbert, (OT) Trent Brown, (OG) Alex Cappa, (EDGE) Sam Hubbard-retiring, (DL) Sheldon Rankins, (DL) Jay Tufele, (LB) Akeem Davis-Gaither, (CB) Mike Hilton, Von Bell
Notable Additions: (RB) Samaje Perine, (OG) Lucas Patrick, (DL) T.J. Slaton, (LB) Oren Burks, (LS) Cal Adomitis
Position(s) of Need: EDGE, S, LB, OL

When looking at the Bengals, you can only point the finger at the defense. They gave up the eighth most points per game to offenses.

Making a defensive coordinator change was necessary and getting a better output on the defensive side isn’t too much to ask. If the defense gets at least 30% better, this could be a double-digit win team easily.

Predicting who would be a good fit for the Bengals begins in the trenches on the defensive side, right? Whether or not Trey Hendrickson is with the Bengals at the start of the season, it would be wise to invest in a player like Mykel Williams, an EDGE rusher from Georgia.

This physically gifted athlete could make fans forget all about Sam Hubbard's retirement this offseason. By the way, congratulations to Mr. Hubbard on his retirement and recent marriage!

Cleveland Browns

2025 Draft Picks

1st round: Pick 2
2nd round: Picks 33, 67
3rd round: Pick 94
4th round: Pick 104
6th round: Picks 179, 192, 200, 216
7th round: Pick 255

2024 Record and Division Finish

2024 Record: 3-14
Division Finish: 4th

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (QB) Dorian Thompson-Robinson, (QB) Jameis Winston, (RB) Nick Chubb, (RB) D’onta Foreman, (RB) Nyheim Hines, (WR) Elijah Moore, (TE) Jordan Akins, (TE) Geoff Swaim, (OT) Hakeem Adenji, (OT) Germain Ifedi, (OT) Jedrick Willis, (OG) Michael Dunn, ( C) Nick Harris, (Edge) James Houston, (DL) Maurice Hurst, (DL) Dalvin Tomlinson, (LB) Khaleke Hudson, (S) Rodney McLeod, (S) Juan Thornhill, (LS) Charley Hughlett
Notable Additions: (QB) Joe Flacco, (QB) Kenny Pickett, (WR) DeAndre Carter, (OT) Cornelius Lucas, (OG) Teven Jenkins, (Edge) Julian Okwara, (Edge) Joe Tyron- Shoyinka, (DL) Maleik Collins, (LB) Jerome Baker
Position(s) of Need: QB, OL, EDGE, RB

Ughhh! Sorry to subject you to this, but I promised to cover all teams, and the Browns are a team … sort of.

The last time the Browns had a pick inside the Top 10 they selected Jedrick Willis Jr. and, well, my mom always told me if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say it, so we’ll leave it at that.

They can't afford to miss on this one. There have been too many missed opportunities in the past. Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback from Colorado, is the player who could bring a winning pedigree to this franchise.

We all know about his accuracy, and his footwork is often underrated. Recently, the Browns announced they would be exploring other options in the draft, and while that may be true, they would certainly love to acquire the player that the Steelers are also interested in.

Do you think Sanders could help instill a winning culture within the Browns organization? Or should the team look elsewhere?

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Tipp Major

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Tipp Major here, yes that is my real name! What can I say I LOVE SPORTS, particularly football. I especially enjoy Fantasy Football. When I am not watching sports, you can find me spending time with my family, at the gym, or at the record store! Oh ya, I love sneakers too.

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