AFC NORTH OFF-SEASON PREVIEW

BY: Mike Rifkin

The 2022 AFC North division had three teams finish over .500 and two teams that wound up playing each other in the playoffs. 

AFC NORTH STANDINGS 

BENGALS -12-4

RAVENS: 10-7

STEELERS – 9-8

BROWNS – 7-10 

Ravens: The Ravens’ most important question is, what is going on with Lamar Jackson? They put the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, which means if another team signs Lamar, the Ravens will be able to match the offer, OR they can let him go and be awarded two first-round picks. The Ravens and Jackson will likely agree. If it’s Lamar or someone else, the most significant thing the Ravens need is a wide receiver. GM Eric Decosta said so himself because the team needs to draft better at the position. Guys like Allen Lazard, JuJu Smith-Schuster, DJ Chark, and Odell Beckham are free agents, while the Ravens can trade for DeAndre Hopkins from the Cardinals. The Ravens might also have to look at corners, with Marcus Peters and Kyle Fuller, both free agents. 

DRAFT

RD 1 (22) – Zay Flowers – WR – BOSTON COLLEGE – Ravens need a receiver who can make plays. Flowers will make plays in the open field. 

RD 3 (87) – Will Mcdonald – EDGE – IOWA ST. – Justin Houston led the team with 9.5 sacks, but he is a free agent, and at 34 years old, how much more is expected of him? Mcdonald and Odafe Oweh could be dynamic on the edges in Baltimore. 

Bengals: The quarterback will also be in the headlines this off-season. Most people around the league expect Joe Burrow and the Bengals to agree on a long-term extension. And why wouldn’t they? All the Bengals have done over the last two seasons is gone to back-to-back AFC Championship Games and made a Super Bowl appearance. The Bengals possess one of the best-receiving trios in the NFL with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. One position they will look at is safety because both Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell are free agents. Running back Samaje Perine is a free agent, and Joe Mixon could be a cap casualty. 

DRAFT 

RD 1 (29) – Anton Harrison – OT – Oklahoma – The Bengals gave up 44 sacks last season, which was 20th in the league. But there are other routes the Bengals could go, but keeping their franchise QB up should be the highest priority. 

RD 2 (61) – Antonio Johnson- Safety – Texas A&M – As mentioned above, Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates are both free agents. Johnson and last year’s first-round pick Dax Hill could be versatile in the secondary. 

Browns: Cleveland also has their quarterback in Deshaun Watson, who played late last season and, after essentially two seasons off, Watson looked rusty. They will have to look at receivers and on the defensive side of the ball. Nick Chubb put up another fantastic season with 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

Draft 

RD 2 (43) – Calijah Kancey – DT- Pittsburgh – Kancey was sensational at the combine, meaning the Browns should take him if he is here. They need a presence in the middle of the defense. 

RD 3 (99) Adetomiwa Adebawore – EDGE – Northwestern – Jadeveon Clowney won’t return, which means who will play opposite Myles Garrett. The Northwestern product ran a 4.49 40-yard dash and is used to playing in conditions that Cleveland will face.

Steelers: Once again, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season. The Steelers were one win away from another playoff appearance. The defense and the offensive line must be the focus for the offseason. Kenny Pickett showed flashes last season, but I want to see what he does for an entire season of starting. 

DRAFT 

RD 1 (17) – Kelee Ringo – CB – Georgia – Fans will want Penn St. Joey Porter Jr, but he needs to be the pick if Ringo is there. Ringo has the ideal size and strength for a corner. 

RD 2 (32) – Dawand Jones – OT – Ohio ST. – Jones is a massive individual. Yes, the Steelers have Dan Moore Jr. at Left Tackle, but his upside is too high to pass up if Jones is there.