Apr 12, 2022

  • NFL NationESPN

With respect to the AFC Due west, the AFC North might be the best and most exciting partitioning in the NFL equally it is at present home to three of the all-time young quarterbacks in the Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Couch and Cleveland Browns' Deshaun Watson.

Led past Couch and breakout rookie wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, the Bengals (ten-vii) won their outset division crown in vi years in 2021 and made an improbable run to the Super Bowl. The Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7-one) celebrated Ben Roethlisberger'due south final season with a gritty run to the playoffs. The Browns, a trendy Super Bowl pick to start 2021, finished a disappointing third, at viii-9, every bit quarterback Baker Mayfield struggled through a shoulder injury suffered in Week 2. And the Ravens (8-9) stayed in the thick of the postseason race despite a season-long rash of injuries that eventually included 2019 NFL MVP Jackson.

In the offseason, the Bengals bolstered an offensive line that played a function in Burrow being sacked 70 times in 2021. The Ravens addressed a glaring demand at safety with one of the NFL's best at the position. The Steelers brought in one-time Chicago Bears (and more recently Buffalo Bills) quarterback Mitch Trubisky after Roethlisberger's retirement. And the Browns made the biggest move of them all -- trading for Watson despite the former Houston Texans quarterback existence the field of study of 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assail and inappropriate behave during massage sessions.

With the draft approaching, NFL Nation reporters Ben Babe (Bengals), Jake Trotter (Browns), Jamison Hensley (Ravens) and Brooke Pryor (Steelers) analyze each squad's offseason, predict a draft pick and provide a way-too-early prediction for side by side flavor.

Cincinnati Bengals

Biggest offseason move: While La'el Collins stole the headlines during the decorated portion of free bureau, Cincinnati'southward premium addition was signing onetime Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Alex Cappa. Cappa committed to the Bengals immediately at the start of the negotiating period, earned the most guaranteed money of Cincinnati's signees and solidified a right baby-sit position that has been influx for at least the past two seasons.

This remains an area of business organisation: The depth on the exterior. Cincinnati re-signed cornerback Eli Apple tree on a i-yr deal, and he has been given a vote of confidence to exist the starter for a second direct season. But the Bengals, at the very least, need depth at outside corner. The same goes for broad receiver, where the Bengals accept unproven options behind the starting trio of Chase, Tee Higgins and slot receiver Tyler Boyd.

Best approximate at showtime draft pick: Given where the Bengals are selecting (No. 31) at and the relative lack of other needs following a solid complimentary agency, cornerback seems to make the almost sense. The all-time option is someone who played outside cornerback in college and is prepare to brand that transition in the pros. Peradventure Washington's Kyler Gordon is a good option.

The Bengals win the division if ... they continue to make offensive progress. In 2021, Cincinnati showed the defense is skilful enough to win a Super Bowl. Nonetheless, the team's offense sputtered far too ofttimes during the regular flavour and didn't do enough to push the Bengals over the cease line in Super Basin LVI against the Los Angeles Rams. The revamped offensive line should aid Cincinnati field one of the near potent offenses in the league.

Way-too-early prediction: Thanks to another quality offseason, the Bengals volition repeat as AFC North champions but will be unable to recapture the playoff magic they had in 2021.

Cleveland Browns

Biggest offseason move: Obviously the trade for Watson. Despite the 22 civil lawsuits he is facing, the Browns traded three first-circular picks to the Texans for the quondam Pro Bowler, and then handed him the biggest contract in NFL history (five years, $230 million, fully guaranteed).

This remains an area of concern: Broad receiver and defensive line. The Browns as well traded for wideout Amari Cooper, and they still plainly boast pass-rusher Myles Garrett. Just outside of those 2 players, the Browns don't have much in proven performers. Whether via trade, free agency or the draft, Cleveland has work to do in both areas to complete the roster.

Best approximate at first draft pick: The Browns don't have a beginning-rounder, so as it stands, their beginning pick won't come until the second circular. Pass-rusher, defensive tackle and receiver are the positions to watch there.

The Browns win the division if... Watson is not suspended and shows lilliputian rust later not playing at all in 2021. The NFL'southward investigation of Watson is ongoing and he could still be suspended under its code of conduct. But information technology'south also early to predict when the league will complete its investigation, and what suspension, if any, it will give him.

Style-likewise-early prediction: Bold Watson is non suspended, the Browns are much improved and go back to the postseason afterwards missing the playoffs in 2021. If he is suspended for 4 or more games, Cleveland volition miss the playoffs again.

Baltimore Ravens

Biggest offseason move: Signing former New Orleans Saints rubber Marcus Williams. The Ravens acknowledged they didn't think they would get Williams, who was widely regarded as the acme safe available in complimentary agency. The improver of a brawl hawk like Williams should help Baltimore rebound from terminal flavor, when the defence force allowed the NFL'south most passing yards (4,986) and gave up a franchise-worst 41 touchdown passes.

This remains an area of concern: The laissez passer rush. Baltimore'south top two outside linebackers (Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser) are coming off offseason surgeries. To make matters worse, ii-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Za'Darius Smith and then backed out of an understanding with the Ravens. Baltimore, which hasn't had anyone produce double-digit sacks since 2017, needs to find someone to become later Couch and Watson.

Best guess at start draft choice: The Ravens need a pass-rusher or cornerback with the No. fourteen overall pick. Purdue outside linebacker George Karlaftis has what the Ravens covet in defensive players -- aggressiveness and a loftier motor. Karlaftis would form a immature and explosive pass-rush duo with Oweh. Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie is another option, although he lacks ideal size.

The Ravens win the sectionalization if ... Lamar Jackson plays like Lamar Jackson once more. When he'due south on top of his game, Jackson can put the squad on his back and encompass upwardly a lot of weaknesses. With Jackson equally their starter, the Ravens accept a 37-12 tape (.755) and average 29 points per game. But he'due south coming off a season in which he missed five games and recorded career worsts in interceptions (thirteen) and times sacked (38).

Way-too-early prediction: The Ravens win the AFC North. Baltimore becomes the latest team to go from concluding place to first (it's happened at to the lowest degree once in 14 of past xvi seasons). The Ravens are getting seven key players back from injured reserve, and they accept a history of drafting impact players when selecting in the peak half of the start round (Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, Ronnie Stanley and Marlon Humphrey are the latest). Plus, with a healthy Jackson, the Ravens are as dangerous as anyone in the league.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Biggest offseason move: Signing Trubisky. The Steelers addressed the quarterback position as soon as the legal tampering window opened, and they did so in a fashion that doesn't prevent them from making more moves at the position. In signing Trubisky, the Steelers have an inexpensive rubber cyberspace with a higher ceiling than Mason Rudolph while also retaining all of their draft capital -- something that could assistance them further add to the position group if the correct fit is available in upcoming typhoon.

This remains an area of concern: Safety. While the Steelers will likely appoint with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on a market place-setting contract afterward this offseason, they still need to find his running mate for 2022. At the NFL owners' meetings last month, general manager Kevin Colbert said he felt the squad lacked a starting-caliber strong prophylactic after letting Terrell Edmunds test free bureau. Edmunds could yet render to the Steelers, merely they could also look at options like Tyrann Mathieu or Damontae Kazee.

Best guess at kickoff draft choice: The Steelers' recent pro day travels suggest they're going to use at least one early option on a quarterback. Both Colbert and jitney Mike Tomlin were clear at the owners' meetings: previous moves in free agency wouldn't preclude them from drafting a quarterback. Members of the Steelers' determination-making nucleus have been at every major quarterback prospect's Pro 24-hour interval, and they're starting to bring prospective betoken-callers in for pinnacle-xxx visits.

The Steelers will win the segmentation if ... they find the side by side franchise quarterback this offseason and he's a turn-key starter. The Steelers have the pieces to exist a relevant squad in a stacked AFC, but they lack star power at quarterback. If they hit on quarterback and he majorly exceeds expectations in Twelvemonth 1, the Steelers could debate in the segmentation -- but that combination is a long shot. It would also necessitate a fully healthy defensive line and improved within linebacking corps. Never say never, only don't hold your breath.

Manner-as well-early prediction: Mike Tomlin'southward streak without a losing season continues. Though the residuum of the division and conference are plowing ahead with big-name signings, the Steelers are holding steady to their typhoon-and-develop philosophy. That method might not deliver a Super Bowl this season, merely with pieces like T.J. Watt, Fitzpatrick, Myles Jack and Najee Harris, Tomlin will go on his team above .500 for the 16th straight flavor.