Step 2 finds us wandering into the AFC North. This is traditionally been one of the toughest divisions in football and every team is a true rival of every other team in the division. The Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers have all been to the playoffs recently, and Cleveland holds a grudge of one kind or another against all of them.
Jun 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Michael Campanaro (6) runs with the ball during minicamp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Michael Campanaro –WR –Wake Forest
James Hurst –OT –North Carolina
Deji Olatoye –CB –North Carolina A&T
Campanaro has a knack for getting open if he make the team. Hurst was considered one of the best tackles in college football before his injury.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Giovani Bernard –RB –North Carolina
Russell Bodine –C –North Carolina
Vincent Rey –LB –Duke
Brandon Tate -WR –North Carolina
Nikita Whitlock –FB/DE –Wake Forest
What could be more natural for a Tar Heel fan than Bernard running behind Bodine? This is the most Tar Heels we’ve seen in one place yet and based on career yardage, they have two of the best. It would be nice to see Brandon Tate emerge as a true wide receiver.
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CLEVELAND BROWNS
Connor Vernon –WR –Duke
Another case of a perennial loser not trying to benefit from the players coming out of the Old North State. Johnny Manziel can’t fix that problem.
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Will Simmons –G –East Carolina
Cam Thomas –NT –North Carolina
Greg Warren –LS –North Carolina
Guy Whimper –OT –East Carolina
Warren has been a mainstay of strong kicking games for years. Thomas could provide an important piece to the 3-4 puzzle if he can prove to be a competent nose tackle, as he is certainly big enough for the role. I would love to know who named their son Guy Whimper only for him to grow up to be 6’5” and 302 lbs.
That’s it for the AFC North. Next will be the AFC South.