The most competitive division in 2021 will be extremely exciting again in 2022: The teams in the AFC North have upgraded and are launching an attack on AFC champion Cincinnati. While Pittsburgh is still looking for quarterback solutions, the Browns got their dream player. Meanwhile, the dangerous Ravens fly a little under the radar. TOUCHDOWN24 takes a look at the AFC North teams’ offseasons.
Cincinnati Bengals
Effective Cap Space (laut OverTheCap, Stand: 21.04.): 15 Mio. Dollar
Draft Picks: 8
- 1st round: #31
- 2nd round: #63
- 3rd round: #95
- 4th round: #136
- 5th round: #174
- 6th round: #209
- 7th round: #226 + #252
That has happened so far
Joe Burrow was sacked an incredible 70 times last year, making the Bengals line concede the third most sacks in a season in league history. The plan for this offseason was clear and could be recognized early on. With guard Alex Cappa (four years, 35m), right tackle La’el Collins (three years, 21m) and center Ted Karras (three years, 18m), three new protectors arrived for Burrow, who in 2022 should feel a lot more comfortable.
The new-look Bengals Offensive Line ? pic.twitter.com/TUXHxTwubW
— PFF (@PFF) March 21, 2022
With tight end CJ Uzomah, Burrow lost one of his reliable targets from the previous year to New York, and Hayden Hurst (one year, 3.5 million) came from Atlanta. Cincinnati also renewed on favorable terms with Eli Apple, who didn’t look good in last year’s Super Bowl but otherwise had a solid season. The rest of the squad mostly stayed together to make another attempt at the title.
Cincinnati has yet to address these needs
1. Cornerback
Apple’s contract shows the Bengals don’t see it as a long-term solution and will be looking for a cornerback early in the draft. While Mike Hilton had a solid season, Cincinnati is in desperate need of fresh talent for the position. An Andrew Booth (Clemson) or Kyler Gordon (Washington) would be ideal towards the end of the first round.
2. Defensive Tackle
The Bengals extended BJ Hill early in the offseason but lost Larry Ogunjobi. Recently there have been persistent rumors that Ogunjobi could still return to Cincinnati, but that seems rather unrealistic. More likely, the Bengals will seek a second presence early in the draft alongside DJ Reader, who can form a rotation with Hill.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Effective Cap Space (laut OverTheCap, Stand: 21.04.): 8.3 Mio. Dollar
Draft Picks: 7
- 1st round: #20
- 2nd round: #52
- 3rd round: #84
- 4th round: #138
- 6th round: #208
- 7th round: #225 + #241
That has happened so far
Like most teams in the hard-fought AFC, the Steelers have had a busy offseason. After Ben Roethlisberger retired, the big issue was of course the quarterback position, which the Steelers strengthened with Mitchell Trubisky. Whether last year’s Bills backup will really start the season as a starter remains to be seen. There’s a good chance Pittsburgh has their eye on a quarterback in the draft.
Mike Tomlin says the Steelers will “probably” draft a quarterback pic.twitter.com/4YFFDdxeZt
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 28, 2022
The offseason took a tragic turn in early April with the news that backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins died on a Florida highway. He was only 24 years old. “Dawyne was a great colleague but an even better friend,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “My heart is broken.”
Pittsburgh has yet to address these needs
1. Safety
As of today, the Steelers do not have an NFL-qualified strong safety on the roster to play alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick. I can’t see Pittsburgh starting the season with Miles Killebrew and other no-names. Whether it’s late in free agency or early in the draft, one way or another, Tomlin and company will have to address the position.
2. Wide Receiver
After the departure of JuJu Smith-Schuster to Kansas City, the Steelers have only two notable receivers on the roster – Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Players like Anthony Miller and Cody White are more stopgap than anything else. In short: The Steelers still have to sign at least two receivers, one of which will probably be picked in the draft.
Cleveland Browns
Effective Cap Space (laut OverTheCap, Stand: 21.04.): 26.2 Mio. Dollar
Draft Picks: 7
- 2nd round: #44
- 3rd round: #78 + #99
- 4th round: #118
- 6th round: #202
- 7th round: #223 + #246
That has happened so far
The offseason in Cleveland was all about signing Deshaun Watson. The superstar, against whom 20 civil lawsuits are currently pending, decided after much back and forth for the Browns, who sent a truckload of picks to Houston for the rights to the 26-year-old, including this year’s first-round pick. Not surprisingly, previous starter Baker Mayfield was all pleased and even accused the Browns of disrespect.
Baker Mayfield isn’t happy with the Browns ? pic.twitter.com/oYS0XIDIVo
— PFF (@PFF) April 13, 2022
The fact is, the Mayfield era is over in Cleveland. It is currently still uncertain whether Watson can really play all the games this year or whether he will still end up on Commissioner Roger Goodell’s exempt list. Looking ahead, the Browns have already signed a solid backup in Jacoby Brissett. In all the drama surrounding Watson and Mayfield, Amari Cooper’s trade almost got a little lost early in the offseason, but legal things aside, Cooper and Watson should make a formidable duo in 2022.
Cleveland has yet to address these needs
1. Wide Receiver
Cooper’s signing is a start, but the Browns have yet to pick up receivers after losing Jarvis Landry in free agency. The only starter-caliber wideout on the roster right now behind Cooper is Donovan Peoples-Jones. If the Browns want to compete in an AFC armed to the teeth, Watson needs more guns around him.
2. Defensive Line
Myles Garrett is a legitimate contender for defenseman of the year every year, but the depth of the Browns’ pass-rush corps leaves a lot to be desired. In a division with superstars like Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, applying pressure up front is essential. An additional pass rusher with fresh legs is therefore a must.
Baltimore Ravens
Effective Cap Space (laut OverTheCap, Stand: 21.04.): 0,8 Mio. Dollar
Draft Picks: 10
- 1st round: #14
- 2nd round: #45
- 3rd round: #76 + #100
- 4th round: #110 + #119 + #128 + #139 + #141
- 6th round: #196
That has happened so far
In the national arms race of the AFC teams, the Ravens held back noticeably. The franchise is known for not trying wild things in the offseason and it stuck to that mantra in 2022 as well. However, general manager Eric de Costa was not completely idle: Marcus Williams, one of the best young safeties in the league, came from New Orleans (five years, 70m), while right tackle Morgan Moses (three years, 15m) took the offensive line should strengthen.
Aside from center Bradley Bozeman (after Carolina), de Costa has been able to hold together a roster that led the AFC last year amid a rare injury streak. Lamar Jackson and Co. can be expected again in 2022, but the Ravens are currently flying very far under the radar.
Ravens Strength & Conditioning Coach Steve Saunders says he’s made some “tweaks” to the team’s offseason program.
Says he couldn’t pinpoint the cause of the plethora of injuries last season, but offseason is critical to lay the foundation for conditioning. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/a3OZ0hLVah
— Melissa Y. Kim (@melissaykim) April 20, 2022
Baltimore has yet to address these needs
1. Edge
According to ESPN Analytics, the Ravens only ranked 14th (41 percent) in terms of team pass rush win rate, while the unit around Tyus Bowser and rookie Odafe Oweh only picked up 34 sacks (ranked 21st). In order to stay competitive in a strong division with Burrow and Watson, the Ravens need to invest in the pass rush once again – maybe in a player like George Karlaftis (Purdue) as early as Round 1?
2. Center
After Bozeman’s departure, head coach Jon Harbaugh seems happy with internal solutions Patrick Mekari and Trystan Colon, but de Costa has publicly noted that the franchise is keen to keep the focus on the O-Line. If the Ravens are looking for a center upgrade, Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa) would be a plug-and-play option on pick 14 in the draft.