2018 NFL Draft: Know your new Steelers enemies after Day One

While Steeler Nation waited with great anticipation of who would be the newest member of the Steelers, they also watched closely to see who their AFC North rivals would select, Here are the guys the Steelers will see twice a year for a good while.

Round 1 Pick 1

Cleveland Browns select Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield

Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Love this pick as a Steelers fan, but if I was a Browns fan I would hate it. I think they could’ve had Saquon Barkley and Mayfield at four. In my opinion, Sam Darnold or Josh Allen is the better possible pro. In the Heisman winner, the Browns get an efficient passer with mobility and improve skills. but he is undersized and gets thrown off easily. In 2017, Mayfield had a completion rate of 70.5% with 4,627 yards and 43 TDs in his Heisman season.

Round 1 Pick 4

Cleveland Browns select Ohio State CB Denzel Ward

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Although undersized at 5’10”, Ward is possibly the best cover corner in the draft. He’s lightning fast, tough and reads and reacts quite well. The knock on Ward is his size and ability to match up with tall receivers and the fact that he may be merely a slot man. In 2017, Ward had two picks and defended 15 passes. Afine player is Ward, but Bradley Chubb could have been absolutely dominant.

Round 1 Pick 21

Cincinnati Bengals select Ohio State C Billy Price

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

A unanimous All-American selection at a position of great need for the Bengals is hard to argue with. Frank Ragnow was the center that Cincy coveted, but he went a pick earlier to Detroit. Kind of a stretch considering he’s recovering from a torn pec. But he started 55 games in college and protects the pass and run blocks well. Could have had Rashaan Evans here. As far as a dangerous pick opposing the Steelers, threat level is low.

Round 1 Pick 25

Ravens select TE Hayden Hurst from South Carolina

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Wow! Ozzie Newsome had a need at WR and bypassed a standout at the position from Alabama. Something strange is afoot in Charm City. Hurst is the finest TE coming out of college and could haunt the Steelers for years with his reliable hands, versatility and Red Zone ability. But the former Pittsburgh Pirate draft pick turns 25 soon and is a suspect blocker. Hurst had 44 catches for 559 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Gamecocks. Baltimore traded down twice to get here.

Round 1 Pick 32

Baltimore Ravens select Louisville QB Lamar Jackson

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Another Heisman winner is now a resident of the AFC North in the form of Lamar Jackson. The Louisville QB is an absolute electric playmaker with a strong arm and a threat to break away when he runs. Not extremely accurate of a passer, Jackson has a penchant for tipped balls and turnovers. In 2017, Jackson had a completion rate of 59.1%, threw for 3,660 yards and had 27 TD throws compared to 10 picks. Joe Flacco is still in the fold, but Jackson will be dangerous in 2019 0r 2020, just not yet.