NFL draft needs: North divisions

The NFL draft will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Chicago. Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines team needs by division and in order of when they’ll select.

The North divisions:

AFC North

RAVENS - Baltimore has the sixth pick, and that could be early enough to select Mississippi’s Laremy Tunsil, the top offensive tackle. With the injury issues of left tackle Eugene Monroe, the Ravens need a long-term answer to protect Joe Flacco’s blind side. They also gave up 30 touchdown passes last season, most in team history.

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NFL draft needs: South divisions

NFL draft needs: East divisions

NFL draft needs: West divisions

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BROWNS - Cleveland has had 24 starting quarterbacks since re-launching as an expansion team in 1999 and Robert Griffin III probably isn’t a long-term solution. The Browns bailed out of the No. 2 pick and the top two quarterbacks will be gone by the time they pick at No. 8. They should be able to snag a defensive playmaker, though, or a top tackle.

BENGALS - With Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones leaving via free agency, Cincinnati needs a receiver to complement A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert, and the Bengals are in position at No. 24 to get one. The Bengals also are starting to gray at cornerback, so drafting for depth at the position could be in the cards in the later rounds. The Bengals have taken four corners in the first round since 2006.

STEELERS - Pittsburgh hasn’t taken a cornerback in the first round since 1997, when they took Chad Scott, but this year could change that. The Steelers are desperate for help in the secondary, particularly at corner. It might be a little early for them to use the 25th pick on a safety or a tight end, but both are areas of need. Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry is worth a look.

NFC North

BEARS - Chicago needs to improve its front-seven speed and should be able to do that with the 11th pick. That could mean taking an edge-rushing linebacker or an interior defensive lineman who can both stop the run and collapse the pocket. The Bears finished the 2015 season with only one active defensive lineman who was with them in training camp.

LIONS - Quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked 89 times over the last two seasons — the worst two-year stretch of his career — so Detroit probably will take an offensive tackle with the 16th pick. The Lions need help on the other side of the ball, too, considering they have only three edge rushers on the roster. They need to develop a bookend for Ziggy Ansah.

VIKINGS - Because Minnesota didn’t address its need for a No. 1 receiver in free agency, the Vikings might look to do that with the 23rd pick. They are looking for another player who can stretch the field and catch a the deep ball. The Vikings hit it big last season by finding talented receiver Stefon Diggs in the fifth round.

PACKERS - Defensive help is on the way for Green Bay, which has the 27th pick. The Packers are looking for a three-down inside linebacker who can stay on the field in passing situations, particularly with Clay Matthews moving back outside. The Packers might look for a tight end, and Hunter Henry of Arkansas didn’t drop any passes last season, which Aaron Rodgers has to appreciate.

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The Rams have the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday. Coach Jeff Fisher and General Manager Les Snead met with the media Tuesday to discuss who they could select. 

Follow Sam Farmer on Twitter @LATimesFarmer