AFC North draft watch: Injuries prevent hot starts

Entering the final week of preseason, teams are still determining whether they have rookies who can become immediate difference-makers. Here's how each rookie class in the AFC North has fared thus far:

Baltimore Ravens

Cornerback Nate Wiggins, the No. 30 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, got off to a hot start in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, registering three tackles (one for a loss) and three passes defensed.

His productive debut supported the Ravens' belief that he could be "a true shutdown-type corner," but he exited the game after suffering a minor shoulder sprain.

Wiggins has since been characterized as day-to-day and should be back for the start of the regular season, but a lack of preseason snaps won't make his transition to the NFL any easier.

Baltimore's third-round pick, edge-rusher Adisa Isaac, has had an injury-riddled start to his professional career. After being sidelined for most offseason practices due to a hamstring injury, head coach John Harbaugh said Isaac is now dealing with a soft-tissue leg injury.

Isaac had an impressive showing in the team's second preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, where he made four tackles, but that was cut short when he left the game late in the fourth quarter with what was first thought to be cramps. | Complete class from ESPN

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals selected offensive tackle Amarius Mims with the No. 18 overall pick in this year's draft to be a protector for quarterback Joe Burrow.

The massive 6-foot-8, 340-pound offensive lineman has lived up to expectations thus far after putting together "a really good training camp," according to head coach Zac Taylor. But last week, he suffered a strained pectoral muscle.

Taylor said he "wouldn't take anything off the table" regarding Mims's being ready by Week 1, but he'll likely miss several weeks.

Cincinnati must also replace the production of veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who joined the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

Many believed that Jermaine Burton, a third-round pick, would help do just after reeling in eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns this preseason, but his usage has been head-scratching.

Most of Burton's production has come late in games, hinting he may be far down the depth chart. He was even used as a returner on special teams, a first in his career.

The Bengals decided to test their luck picking off the Iowa tree this offseason, too, drafting Erick All Jr. in the fourth round.

The Hawkeyes have produced several elite tight ends, such as 49ers' George Kittle, Vikings' T.J. Hockenson, Lions' Sam LaPorta and Seahawks' Noah Fant.

Cincinnati will have to wait slightly longer for All to get going. He was only recently cleared to practice after being placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list on July 20th while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the 2023 college football season. | Complete class from ESPN

Cleveland Browns

Due to the Deshaun Watson trade, the Browns didn't have a first-round pick for the third straight year. So their first selection came at No. 54 overall, which they used on defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr.

The Ohio State product has shown promise this summer, but last week, he was charged with domestic violence after allegedly threatening a woman with a gun. 

Hall participated in Cleveland's first joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings the following day despite the arrest, but then he left that practice with an injury.

"Respectfully, I don't have much to add," head coach Kevin Stefanski said, via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "We're going to let the legal proceedings play out. ... He was injured, but I don't have the details."

The team continued to invest more resources in wide receiver, selecting Jamari Thrash in the fifth round.

Thrash has put together a couple of nice games this preseason, amassing six catches for 68 yards. However, he remains hidden on the depth chart behind wide receivers Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, David Bell and Jaelon Darden, putting his impact as a rookie in question. | Complete class from ESPN

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers strengthened their offensive line through this year's draft, selecting offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round and center Zach Frazier in the second.

Both players have looked the part throughout training camp, but injuries have determined if they will be Week 1 starters.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Fautanu will be the starting right tackle when healthy, but when that will be is up in the air after he suffered a knee injury in the preseason opener.

Fautanu has been sidelined since, although he remains hopeful he'll be ready to go come Week 1.

On the other hand, Frazier has remained behind veteran Nate Herbig on the depth chart all summer. But on Tuesday, Pittsburgh placed Herbig on the reserve/injured list, all but ending his 2024 season.

The West Virginia product is now slated to be the Week 1 starting center as long as he can stay healthy.

Since trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in March, the team has been trying to establish who its No. 2 wide receiver will be opposite George Pickens.

Many hoped that would come in the form of third-round pick Roman Wilson, but he has missed the majority of training camp after being carted off practice with an ankle injury. 

Wilson has been considered week-to-week but is hopeful he won't be sidelined for much longer.

"I'll be back soon. It feels good, pretty confident with it," Wilson said. "It does suck not being able to play in preseason. That was something I was looking forward to. ... It could've been worse." | Complete class from ESPN