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The AFC North was fairly probably the NFL’s best division in 2020. Three of the AFC’s seven playoff groups got here from the North, with the Browns defeating the division champion Steelers within the wild-card spherical, 48-37. The Browns then took the defending Super Bowl champions to the brink earlier than falling simply in need of an historic upset.
The Ravens, led by reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, mirrored the Browns’ wild-card success with their upset of the Titans. Additionally like Cleveland, Baltimore was unable to maintain that success within the divisional spherical, dropping to Buffalo in a hard-fought defensive slugfest. And although they didn’t make the playoffs, the Bengals confirmed promise with rookie quarterback Joe Burrow underneath heart.
Given what transpired final 12 months, the AFC North as soon as once more guarantees to be one of many league’s extra aggressive division races in 2021. Whereas it sounds apparent, the workforce that does the most effective job filling its positional wants this offseason can have a big edge in the case of capturing the division. With out additional ado, let’s check out every AFC North workforce’s wants getting into free company and the upcoming draft, beginning with final 12 months’s division champion.
[Note: Cap space figures provided by Spotrac, and will change once official salary cap is finalized for 2021.]
Pittsburgh Steelers
Wants: C, LT, RB, OLB, CB, WR
The Steelers put fairly a couple of eggs in final 12 months’s basket, solely to see the basket spill throughout the remaining a number of weeks of the season. With their backs in opposition to the wall with the wage cap, Pittsburgh should considerably modify Ben Roethlisberger’s contract with a view to do something so far as free company is worried. Pittsburgh should discover a alternative for the just lately retired Maurkice Pouncey. It can additionally need to discover a alternative for James Conner, who will enter free company subsequent month. The Steelers could attempt to preserve both Bud Dupree or JuJu Smith-Schuster, however do not count on each gamers to be again in Pittsburgh subsequent season. The Steelers will even be out there for assist at cornerback, with Mike Hilton and Cam Sutton set to enter free company. One other identify to regulate is Alejandro Villanueva, Pittsburgh’s beginning left deal with since 2015. Villanueva is about to turn out to be a free agent. Matt Feiler can also be set to turn out to be a free agent, however he could possibly be a participant the Steelers determine to put money into transferring ahead.
If Villanueva leaves, count on both Feiler or Chukwuma Okorafor to switch him at left deal with, with fellow deal with Zach Banner transferring into the beginning lineup. Kevin Dotson would additionally transfer up into the beginning lineup following a formidable rookie marketing campaign. Count on the Steelers to speculate extra into this group by way of the draft. The identical could be mentioned of the operating again, receiver, and out of doors linebacker positions. Steelers followers must also regulate J.J. Watt, who could determine to workforce up with brothers T.J. and Derek Watt in Pittsburgh.
Mason Rudolph might be underneath heart within the occasion Roethlisberger just isn’t again in 2021. If this situation performs out, Rudolph will get one 12 months to indicate the Steelers that he could be Large Ben’s longterm successor.
Estimated present cap house (high 51): $-14.24 million (twenty seventh in NFL)
CBS draft projections: RB Najee Harris (Ryan Wilson), OL Teven Jenkins (Chris Trapasso and Josh Edwards)
Free brokers to observe: WR Corey Davis, C Ben Garland, LT Kelvin Beachum, CB William Jackson
Baltimore Ravens
Wants: EDGE, C, WR, G, FS, TE, CB
Baltimore struck gold with its second-round collection of operating again J.Okay. Dobbins, who averaged a whopping six yards per carry final season. The Ravens didn’t fare as effectively with rookie receivers Devin Duvernay and James Proche, as Lamar Jackson continued to rely closely on tight finish Mark Andrews and receiver Marquise Brown. Baltimore will even look to strengthen its offensive line after final 12 months’s unit struggled to supply constant safety for Jackson. And with Derek Wolfe, Jihad Ward, Pernell McPhee and Yannick Ngakoue slated to turn out to be free brokers, the Ravens should re-stock their cabinet with sufficient go rushers in 2021.
Search for the Ravens to spend their high draft picks on the defensive again, receiver and edge rusher positions. The Ravens ought to nonetheless take into account bringing in a veteran extensive out who can carry some expertise and management inside Baltimore’s receivers room. One possibility could possibly be Kendrick Bourne, who performed an integral function on the 49ers’ NFC title run in 2019. One other free agent that will make sense is heart David Andrews, a six-year veteran who gained two Tremendous Bowls with the Patriots. The Ravens might also goal free security Justin Simmons, who was simply chosen to his first Professional Bowl after recording 5 interceptions for the Broncos.
Estimated present cap house (high 51): $29.95 million (eleventh within the NFL)
CBS draft projections: DB Richie Grant (Ryan Wilson), WR Terrance Marshall Jr. (Chris Trapasso), LB Joseph Ossai (Josh Edwards)
Free brokers to observe: C David Andrews, FS Justin Simmons, G Austin Blythe, WR Kendrick Bourne, TE Gerald Everett
Cleveland Browns
Wants: S, LB, WR, CB, DE
The Browns’ protection stepped up within the pink zone of their divisional spherical playoff loss to the Chiefs. And whereas that recreation confirmed their potential, the Browns’ protection will want some reinforcements if they will complement their offense on a extra constant foundation subsequent season. The Browns’ offense was led by the two-headed monster of operating backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. They have been additionally the beneficiary of a pleasant bounce-back season from quarterback Baker Mayfield. Cleveland will possible add to its receiving corps this offseason, no matter what Odell Beckham’s standing on the workforce is in 2021.
A reputation Browns followers are definitely monitoring is J.J. Watt, who’s reportedly seriously considering coming to Cleveland. The addition of Watt would make free agent defensive finish Oliver Vernon expendable. Watt would additionally complement fellow defensive finish Myles Garrett, who earned his first All-Professional choice final season. In the event that they lose Karl Joseph in free company, the Browns may goal robust security Shawn Williams, a starter for 4 of his eight seasons in Cincinnati. If Andrew Sendejo departs in free company, second-year free security Grant Delpit could also be requested to step into the beginning lineup.
Estimated present cap house (high 51): $29.74 million (tenth within the NFL)
CBS draft projections: DL Levi Onwuzurike (Ryan Wilson), LB Azeez Ojulari (Chris Trapasso), DL Jaelan Phillips (Josh Edwards)
Free brokers to observe: DE J.J Watt, SS Shawn Williams, CB Patrick Peterson, DT Shelby Harris, LB Reuben Foster
Cincinnati Bengals
Wants: OT, EDGE rusher, G, DT, CB
With a really wholesome quantity of cap house, the Bengals are ready to spend in free company for a second consecutive 12 months. Cincinnati’s present roster contains a number of promising gamers in Burrow, receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, operating again Joe Mixon, free security Jessie Bates III, and defensive finish Sam Hubbard. The Bengals could determine to half with perennial Professional Bowl defensive deal with Geno Atkins, who struggled with a shoulder harm final season.
Offensive line is the Bengals’ major goal this offseason. Brandon Scherff and Joe Thuney are two guards the Bengals could pursue in free company. Russell Okung and Cam Robinson could be vital upgrades at left deal with. The Bengals have a slew of choices at defensive finish. That checklist contains Benson Mayowa, Derek Wolfe and Tyson Alualu. Yannick Ngakoue and Leonard Williams would even be choices if the Bengals wish to spend huge at that place. Cornerbacks Ronald Darby, Mike Hilton and Kevin Johnson could possibly be choices in free company.
The Bengals ought to get Burrow a veteran receiver in addition to a brand new weapon at tight finish. Whereas each positions will possible be addressed throughout the draft, veteran extensive outs Willie Snead and Keelan Cole could be good matches contained in the Bengals’ offense. Tight finish Jacob Hollister, who performed effectively in a reserve function in Seattle, could be a superb addition to Cincinnati’s passing assault.
Estimated present cap house (high 51): $45.6 million (fifth within the NFL)
CBS draft projections: TE Kyle Pitts (Ryan Wilson), OL Penei Sewell (Chris Trapasso and Josh Edwards)
Prime free brokers to observe: G Joe Thuney, LT Cam Robinson, DE Benson Mayowa, Derek Wolfe, CB Ronald Darby, TE Jacob Hollister
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