Consistency and competitors are two phrases that come to thoughts concerning the AFC North division. In 2022, the groups completed in the identical order that they’d in 2021, with the Bengals profitable the crown, the Ravens settling for runner-up, the Steelers coming in third and the Browns taking on the rear. Each crew went 3-3 within the AFC North in what continues to be the most effective divisions in soccer.
The division’s two finest groups performed in an epic wild card showdown that was determined by Sam Hubbard’s 98-yard fumble return for a rating. In what could possibly be a foreshadow of issues to return, the Ravens performed that recreation with out Lamar Jackson, whose future in Baltimore has and can proceed to be a hot-button subject.
They did not make the playoffs, however the Steelers did go 9-8 whereas working their streak of non-losing seasons to 19. Pittsburgh went 7-2 down the stretch on the power of T.J. Watt’s return, Minkah Fitzpatrick’s All-Pro exploits and Kenny Pickett’s improved play throughout his rookie season. For a thirty third straight yr, the Steelers completed forward of the Browns, who suffered their second straight dropping season regardless of boasting one of many league’s finest speeding assaults.
With free company simply weeks away, this is a have a look at the largest wants for every AFC North crew.
Note: Projected cap house is courtesy of Over the Cap.
Baltimore Ravens
Top wants: WR, CB, EDGE, LG, QB
Cap house: $24.3M (ninth)
Top draft picks: No. 23, No. 86
Baltimore’s first order of enterprise is determining the way forward for Jackson, who may discover himself enjoying elsewhere subsequent season if he and the Ravens don’t agree on a long-term deal. The Ravens would absolutely get a hefty return in the event that they commerce him (which might require him getting franchise tagged once more), however Baltimore would clearly want to maintain the previous league MVP.
Regardless of what occurs at quarterback, the Ravens must improve their receiving corps. DJ Chark, Allen Lazard and JuJu Smith-Schuster (who Baltimore confirmed curiosity in not too long ago) could be stable free agent choices.
The Ravens may have to exchange attainable free brokers in cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Kyle Fuller, defensive ends Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul, and beginning left guard Ben Powers. Possible free agent choices at cornerback embrace present Eagle James Bradberry and longtime Steeler Cam Sutton. Longtime Colts Matt Pryor, a flexible lineman who performed each sort out and guard in Indianapolis, could be a stable addition to the Ravens’ offensive line.
Former Brown Jadeveon Clowney and fellow journeyman Yannick Ngakoue are two free agent choices at defensive finish. Veteran outdoors backers Elandon Roberts, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and 33-year-old Melvin Ingram could possibly be summoned to Baltimore as soon as free company begins.
Cincinnati Bengals
Top wants: S, ILB, OT, CB, RB
Cap house: $35.6M (sixth)
Top draft picks: No. 28, No. 60
Each of the Bengals’ wants are manageable. Cincinnati drafted Daxton Hill final yr within the occasion that Jessie Bates III departed this offseason. Hill is in line to begin, however the Bengals could be sensible to usher in a veteran to again him up. The Bengals may additionally be available in the market for a brand new beginning sturdy security if Vonn Bell departs this offseason. Duron Harmon, who had two picks and two pressured fumbles for the Raiders final yr, could possibly be an choice right here.
There may also be a gap at inside linebacker with the anticipated departure of Germaine Pratt. Fortunately for Cincinnati, there are a number of stable choices right here in free company that embrace longtime Buccaneer Lavonte David, former Colt/Brown Anthony Walker Jr. former Steelers first-round choose Devin Bush and former Bills first-round choose Tremaine Edmunds, amongst others.
The Bengals closely invested of their offensive line final offseason, and it led to vastly higher safety for Joe Burrow earlier than accidents lastly caught as much as them within the AFC Championship Game. That being stated, with La’el Collins coming off an harm and with Jonah Williams getting into the ultimate yr of his rookie deal, it would not damage so as to add to the skin of their offensive line. Andre Dillard, the Eagles’ former first-round choose who not too long ago performed within the Super Bowl, could be free agent match.
Cornerback is not a urgent concern, given Cam Taylor-Britt’s emergence as a rookie. Eli Apple is a free agent, although, and with Chidobe Awuzie coming off an harm, the Bengals ought to attempt to add to this place. If he would not re-sign with Minnesota, veteran Patrick Peterson would make sense given he stays a extremely productive participant who could also be keen to take much less cash to play for a title contender.
The Bengals’ high-powered offense could also be in want of replenishments at working again. Third-down specialist Samaje Perine is a free agent, and former Pro Bowler Joe Mixon could possibly be a cap casualty. Look for the Bengals to spend a comparatively excessive draft choose on a working again in the event that they half with Mixon. A great free agent choice right here could possibly be Jamaal Williams, who ran for 17 touchdowns with the Lions final yr. This is assuming that Williams would not re-sign with Detroit.
Possible free agent choices to exchange the potential departure of Perine embrace former Pro Bowler Kareem Hunt, a flexible participant who with the Chiefs led the league in speeding throughout his rookie season.
Cleveland Browns
Team wants: WR, ILB, DT, DE, CB
Cap house: $-13.4M (twenty third)
Top draft picks: No. 43
The Browns reportedly plan to open issues up subsequent season. Cleveland will possible assault the place in each free company and within the draft. In an ideal world, the Browns would reunite Deshaun Watson with DeAndre Hopkins, however the Browns haven’t got the belongings to make that occur. Cleveland may, nevertheless, attempt to reunite Watson with two of his different high targets from his Houston days: Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks. Cooks is below contract, although, so the Browns must quit one thing with a view to carry him to Cleveland.
Walker is certainly one of a number of Browns linebackers set to enter free company. The Browns may attempt to fill a kind of openings with Bush, who had a promising begin to his profession in Pittsburgh earlier than struggling a severe knee harm in 2020. Bush had a rocky 2021 season however rebounded with a stable 2022 marketing campaign.
Cleveland should substitute Clowney and fellow starter Taven Bryan assuming Bryan would not re-sign. A stable choice to exchange Bryan could possibly be Khalen Saunders, who received his second ring with the Chiefs after having fun with his finest season so far in 2022. Saunders ended his fourth season within the NFL with a sack of Jalen Hurts within the Super Bowl.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Team wants: NT, DE, DT, OT, ILB, CB, WR
Cap house: $81,000 (seventeenth)
Top draft picks: No. 17, No. 32, No. 49
Pittsburgh’s lack of ability to cease the run late within the fourth quarter price them a number of video games throughout the first half of the 2022 season. The Steelers will undoubtedly deal with this subject by including some new blood to their defensive position.
The crew will possible attempt to hold Larry Ogunjobi, who performed effectively in his first season in Pittsburgh. But the Steelers will attempt to discover a true nostril sort out after prioritizing different wants in recent times. Look for them to deal with this want throughout the draft. Javon Hargrave, a former Steeler who recorded a career-high 11 sacks for the Eagles final yr, could be a giant addition to Pittsburgh’s defensive position if they’re keen to spend.
Dan Moore Jr., the Steelers’ beginning left sort out, continues to point out indicators of promise. But the Steelers haven’t got a lot depth behind him, so it might make sense to both draft or herald a veteran to again up him and beginning RT Chukwuma Okorafor. Don’t be shocked to see the Steelers use a significantly excessive draft choose on this place after utilizing free company to deal with the inside of their offensive line final yr.
Insider linebacker is not an excessive amount of of a priority provided that the Steelers can most likely re-sign Robert Spillane earlier than the beginning of free company. Even in the event that they try this, the Steelers will nonetheless add to this space given the truth that Bush has performed his final down for the Steelers. Speaking of free brokers, the Steelers might want to substitute beginning cornerback Sutton if he is not re-signed. Sutton’s alternative could possibly be Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. if he’s accessible when the Steelers are on the clock with the seventeenth general choose.
The Steelers ended up with the thirty second general choose after deciding that Chase Claypool was expendable earlier than final yr’s commerce deadline. Pittsburgh made due with Steven Sims changing Claypool within the beginning lineup, so Pittsburgh is not determined for a receiver. But they’ll possible add one through the draft with a view to give Pickett one other weapon whereas giving them extra choices within the occasion that Diontae Johnson leaves after his new contract expires. Look for receiver to be among the many Steelers’ first three positions they deal with throughout the draft, together with cornerback and offensive sort out.
