AFC North Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

• Adam Schefter reports that Bengals’ first-round QB Joe Burrow has been studying Cincinnati’s offense “for weeks” and is expected to challenge for the starting job “right away.” 

Browns

Browns CSO Paul DePodesta acknowledged that they “tried to understand all of the available options to us, especially at a position of such importance at left tackle.” 

“We were going to wait to see what happened there before we really pursued any other avenue,’’ DePodesta said, via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.

• Ian Rapoport reports that the Browns had trade offers for the No. 10 overall pick but opted to draft Alabama OT Jedrick Wills. 

Ravens

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said they did not expect RB J.K. Dobbins to reach them in the second round. 

“We didn’t really expect [Dobbins to be available there], I don’t think anybody really did,” DeCosta said, via Jamison Hensley of ESPN. “But we just had to take him. He’s just a talented guy. It just made too much sense for us not to take him.”

Dobbins said he did not think he would be drafted by the Ravens but feels that he will “thrive” in their offensive system. 

“I honestly didn’t know that I was going to receive a call from Baltimore, but God works in mysterious ways, and here I am today,” Dobbins said. “I feel like I’ll thrive in this offense.”

DeCosta mentioned that the Ravens are a run-oriented team and called Dobbins among the best running backs in college football last season. 

“We’re a team that likes to run the football. Having running backs is really, really important,” DeCosta said. “This was a guy that’s, in my opinion, one of the very best in college football this year. He’s going to be a dangerous player for us and give us the depth to do what we like to do.”

• The Ravens considered Clemson WR Tee Higgins in the first round before eventually selecting LSU LB Patrick Queen. (Jeff Zrebiec)

Steelers

The Steelers have a strong track record when it comes to drafting wide receivers. For that reason alone, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is excited about new second-round WR Chase Claypool even if he knows hardly anything about the rookie. 

“I honestly don’t know much about Chase other than his numbers and size, but [I’m] excited,” Roethlisberger told the Athletic’s Ed Bouchette. “I heard he’s a good, hard-working guy and a great teammate. I’m sure he’s excited to get to come share a room and learn from a great player like JuJu [Smith-Schuster].”