NFL draft

Times staff writer Sam Farmer examines NFL draft (Saturday-Sunday) prospects by division. Today, AFC North:

* PITTSBURGH: Having a strong and experienced offensive line has always been a staple of Pittsburgh’s success. Now, the Steelers need to rebuild in that department, especially at tackle and guard. An ideal situation for them would be if Virginia guard Branden Albert were to slip to them at No. 23, but his stock has been soaring lately so that’s becoming less likely by the day. There isn’t another guard worthy of a first-round pick. The Steelers are eyeing defensive linemen, too.

* CLEVELAND: In order to get Brady Quinn last year, the Browns traded their first pick in this draft to Dallas. In fact, Cleveland will be watching from the sideline this year as the first three rounds go by. So, for them, this draft is about building depth at some key positions -- linebacker and cornerback -- and, ideally, finding a sleeper pick in a later round. Such is the nature of draft-now, pay-later maneuverings.

* CINCINNATI: USC’s Sedrick Ellis could wind up with the Bengals, who are in desperate need of a solid defensive tackle. Cincinnati was unsuccessful in its bid to land a premier man in the middle through free agency, missing on Shaun Rogers of Detroit and Dewayne Robertson of the New York Jets. In later rounds, the Bengals can address their needs in the secondary and offensive line. They also might want to look for a receiver.

* BALTIMORE: Now that Steve McNair has retired, the pressure has intensified for the Ravens to find a solution at quarterback. If Boston College’s Matt Ryan slips to the No. 8 spot, Baltimore might take him. But the Ravens will be looking for someone to block the quarterback’s blind side, seeing as All-Pro left tackle Jonathan Ogden is flirting with retirement.

* NEXT: NFC West. For more, including Farmer’s mock draft, go to latimes.com/nfl.