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Cleveland Browns: Players team doesn’t want AFC North to draft

By Peter Smith

OXFORD, OH - NOVEMBER 15: Maxx Crosby #92 of the Eastern Michigan Eagles sacks Gus Ragland #14 of the Miami Ohio Redhawks during the second half at Yager Stadium on November 15, 2017 in Oxford, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
OXFORD, OH - NOVEMBER 15: Maxx Crosby #92 of the Eastern Michigan Eagles sacks Gus Ragland #14 of the Miami Ohio Redhawks during the second half at Yager Stadium on November 15, 2017 in Oxford, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Tight end Noah Fant #87of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs in for a touchdown during the first half against the Northern Iowa Panthers on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Tight end Noah Fant #87of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs in for a touchdown during the first half against the Northern Iowa Panthers on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers

Noah Fant, TE Iowa

Fant is a problem for a few reasons. Vance McDonald was a revelation for the Steelers last year, allowing them to let Jesse James go in free agency. If McDonald can stay healthy, he’s a terrific Y. But he has had issues with injuries in his career. Fant would be great in the event of an injury, but he’s also a great fit in tandem with McDonald.

Fant is a space player with tremendous speed to stretch the field up the seam and is a matchup problem. Juju Smith-Schuster is great and the Steelers hope James Washington can step up with the trade of Antonio Brown. Donte Moncrief can chip in some plays as well. Overall, the combination of Smith-Schuster, Washington, McDonald and Fant before even mentioning James Conner could be an incredibly difficult offense to match up against.

Maxx Crosby, EDGE Eastern Michigan

There might not be a pass rusher that fits what the Steelers have traditionally had over the past few decades than Crosby. Sleek, athletic, adept at slipping into the backfield and making plays, he’s got experience playing on his feet. He’s a former linebacker that has a good sense for timing and reading offensive plays, he made huge strides this past season for the EMUs impacting running plays, but has always been a natural pass rusher.

Next. 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Kinnan's final projection. dark

The Steelers have T.J. Watt who is very good, but they’ve all but acknowledged that Bud Dupree is a bust and for some reason, they decided to re-sign Anthony Chickilo. Crosby could come in and potentially make an early impact as a rookie, but even if it’s not until 2020, the combination of Crosby and Watt on the outside with Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave isn’t exactly a dream scenario for the Browns.

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