The Bengals helped themselves by adding four potential starters in the first four rounds of the 2002 NFL draft. But their three rivals in the new AFC North Division also did well for themselves.
Baltimore: C
The Ravens lost seven defensive starters in the offseason. They also lost their defensive coordinator and their linebackers coach.
RAVENS' PICKS
1 (24) Ed Reed, s, Miami. 2 (52) Anthony Weaver, dt, Notre Dame. 4 (112) Dave Zastudil, p, Ohio U. 4 (123) Ron Johnson, wr, Minnesota. 5 (155) Terry Jones Jr., te, Alabama. 6 (195) Lamont Brightful, wr, Eastern Washington. 6 (206) Javin Hunter, wr, Notre Dame. 6 (207) Chester Taylor, rb, Toledo. 6 (209) Chad Williams, db, Southern Mississippi. 7 (236) Wes Pate, qb, Stephen F. Austin.
They used their first two picks to begin to rebuild what, just two seasons ago, was football's most feared defense.
Safety Ed Reed, the 24th overall pick, will start. So will Notre Dame defensive tackle Anthony Weaver, a projected first-rounder who slipped to No.52 overall in the second round.
Weaver will start with Michael McCrary on a defensive line that lost three of its four top players — Tony Siragusa (retired), Rob Burnett (released) and Sam Adams (contract voided).
In the fourth round, Baltimore added punter Dave Zastudil from Ohio University and wide receiver Ron Johnson from Minnesota.
The Ravens had their sights set on left tackle Levi Jones, who was the Bengals' first pick at No.10.
Cleveland: A
; The Browns added three offensive starters with their first three picks.
BROWNS' PICKS
1 (16) William Green, rb, Boston College. 2 (47) Andre Davis, wr, Virginia Tech. 3 (76) Melvin Fowler, c, Maryland. 4 (101) Kevin Bentley, lb, Northwestern. 4 (111) Ben Taylor, lb, Virginia Tech. 4 (122) Darnell Sanders, te, Ohio State. 5 (141) Andra Davis, lb, Florida. 7 (227) Joaquin Gonzalez, ot, Miami.
Running back William Green from Boston College will give quarterback Tim Couch his best running game in four seasons on Lake Erie. And second-round wide receiver Andre Davis (Virginia Tech) will team with Kevin Johnson to give Couch a dangerous pair of pass catchers.
All Couch has lacked are enough skill players around him to make big plays. Now he has them.
Maryland center Melvin Fowler (third round) will challenge to start at guard. The Browns then used three fourth-round picks to add a pair of linebackers (Kevin Bentley and Ben Taylor) and tight end Darnell Sanders of Ohio State.
Cleveland is beginning to look a lot like a playoff team under coach Butch Davis.
Pittsburgh: B
The Steelers added another solid offensive line prospect by taking Auburn tackle Kendall Simmons at No.30 overall.
After losing wide receiver Bobby Shaw in free agency to Jacksonville, Pittsburgh ushered in the era of Slash 2 by taking Indiana wide receiver/quarterback Antwaan Randle El at No.63 in the second round.
In the third round, Pittsburgh added another potential star in the defensive secondary by taking Florida State safety Chris Hope.
Few NFL teams do as good a job scouting and drafting as the Steelers, who continue to replace key players they lose in free agency.
Bengals foes reload in draft
