The Top Draft Gem Out of the AFC North

The 2024 NFL Draft will be remembered for its historic run on quarterbacks in the first round. But each year, teams find diamonds in the rough. This player is the top draft gem out of the AFC North.

The AFC North’s Top Draft Gem

Baltimore Ravens: T.J. Tampa – CB Iowa State

Even after winning the AFC North in 2023, the Ravens needed to replenish their secondary. Marlon Humphrey is a star cornerback, while Kyle Hamilton is working his way up the list of premier safeties in the NFL. Aside from those two players, there were holes in the secondary heading into the draft. The team let Ronald Darby and Rock Ya-Sin walk in free agency, but neither were impact players. Adding help alongside Humphrey was imperative, and the team addressed that need with their first-round pick. Nate Wiggins out of Clemson could give the Ravens a quality tandem at cornerback, but it wasn’t Wiggins that caught our eye as a gem.

T.J. Tampa took the Big 12 by storm last season with his ferocious style of play and playmaking ability. At Iowa State, Tampa was a lockdown cornerback. In coverage, he allowed only one touchdown in 497 snaps last season (per Iowa State). It wasn’t just the numbers on a stat sheet that made Tampa an enticing prospect. His aggressive style of play is evident on tape. On multiple occasions, Tampa can be seen taking on contact and laying heavy hits on receivers to force incompletions and break up passes. His ball skills were another reason he earned First Team All-Big 12 Honors last season. Against Oklahoma State last year, Tampa made a game-winning interception late in the fourth quarter.

For Baltimore, landing Wiggins and Tampa gives the secondary a set of young, promising cornerbacks. The defense lost Mike Macdonald to the Seattle Seahawks but still has key pieces along the defensive line and at linebacker. Adding Tampa will not only benefit Baltimore in the short term, but he has a chance to be the top gem of the draft in the AFC North.

Honorable Mention: Erick All – TE Iowa

The Cincinnati Bengals remade their receiving room after the 2023 season. Tight end was a pressing need for the Bengals, and they doubled down on the position in the draft by selecting All and Tanner McLachlan. Adding All was prudent for the organization after signing Mike Gesicki to a one-year contract. The former Iowa tight end entered the league as a prospect with plenty to prove in the NFL Draft. By drafting All in the fourth round, the Bengals were able to address other needs on offense but still potentially land a difference-maker.

At Iowa, All was a do-it-all player on offense. He lined up in the backfield when he wasn’t making his presence known in the passing game. All also played high school ball in the suburbs of Cincinnati, making for a good draft story. The Iowa program has been known to churn out quality NFL talent, and All could be next in line. The Bengals should be able to ease All into the offense and allow him to grow. As long as injuries don’t hinder his development, All has a chance to be a top draft gem out of the AFC North.