AFC North
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11-5
- Cleveland Browns: 10-6
- Baltimore Ravens: 7-9
- Cincinnati Bengals: 3-13
The Pittsburgh Steelers sit atop the AFC North once again. The team doesn’t have the uncertainty of Bell’s contract hovering over its season outlook. The front office parted ways with wideout Antonio Brown; his work relationship with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went completely sour. With less friction surrounding the franchise, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner will emerge as stars in the league.
The Cleveland Browns stirred the most buzz during the offseason, partially because of their Super Bowl talk and also general manager John Dorsey‘s decision to acquire wideout Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham will form an electric connection with quarterback Baker Mayfield, but the offense has some question marks on the front line at right guard and right tackle. How will Eric Kush fare on the interior? Can Chris Hubbard bounce back after allowing 7.5 sacks last year, per Washington Post’s STATs.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fully utilized his legs last year, logging 695 yards on the ground—paired with the second-most stingy scoring defense. Over the offseason, the league had time to study his tape and find ways to stop an offense that heavily relies on the run. Jackson will have to throw more than 25 times per contest, which he only did once during the regular season last year. The 22-year old has a lot to prove.
The Cincinnati Bengals land in the AFC North cellar with an unimpressive offensive line. Quarterback Andy Dalton may have issues staying upright in the pocket.
Center Billy Price, a 2018 first-rounder, didn’t earn a starting spot; he’ll back up Trey Hopkins. The team’s long-tenured starting left guard, Chris Boling, retired. At one point Christian Westerman was considered a front-runner to replace him, per The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr., but he also decided to hang up his cleats.
Rookie fourth-rounder Michael Jordan will start at the position. Right tackle Bobby Hart is slated to retain his first-unit position despite allowing 11.5 sacks last year, per Washington Post‘s STATs.
With rookie head coach Zac Taylor calling the shots in a season headed south pretty quickly, the Bengals could look to replace Dalton with a top draft pick in 2020.