Training camp is just around the corner and clubs in the AFC North still have holes on their roster. The group is coming off a disappointing season as a unit, besides the Cincinnati Bengals sticking out as a success. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns all had struggles to different degrees throughout the season.
Things could be different heading into this season as the bottom three teams in the division last year should be able to take a step forward overall. That is going to lead to a bunch of different matchups to result in close games when these four teams play each other. Even though each club has seemingly got better in certain areas, there have also been certain areas that have popped up as weaknesses over the offseason.
The Steelers have the most improved team across the AFC North division
Pittsburgh was not able to make the playoffs last year and finished third in the AFC North divisional standings. There are plenty of reasons for the black and gold to believe that the future will be bright and successful. After a promising conclusion to the 2022 campaign, the organization was able to have one of the strongest offseasons across the NFL.
The Steelers still have some holes on their roster and some question marks, but not as dire as other clubs in the division. Omar Khan and company were able to strengthen this roster in certain areas and target specific needs that needed to be addressed. One should believe that the Steelers could get back into the playoffs with the types of upgrades they made during the offseason.
Cleveland did not have an offseason where they vastly improved their roster
If there was a way to throw out an entire season of football, the Browns would likely want to do that with their 2022 season. It saw the club struggle with consistency throughout the schedule and it ended with them in the bottom of the divisional standings. Perhaps it was karma for the ludicrous contract that they gave Deshaun Watson besides neglecting his off-the-field concerns.
Once Watson jumped onto the field after his lengthy suspension, the Cleveland offense was not able to get much success on the field. They sputtered out a lot and capped off the year by being decimated by a poor Steelers offense. This group will likely burn last year as fast as they can forget it and try to move on to a new year.
Watson is under contract for a long time, so there are no takebacks on his deal as it will remain fully guaranteed. The Browns will hope that a full training camp and non-suspended season to gel with his offense. There are a couple of concerns on this Cleveland roster, but they were able to add some quality players via trade and free agency.
The lack of first and second-round selections will likely come back to bite this club in the rear. They added some quality prospects in the third round, but none that will make a huge difference for this upcoming campaign. It seems like they will finish last in the standings again unless something monumental changes.
Lamar Jackson was re-signed by the Ravens, but their defense has question marks
One of the biggest news stories that the NFL world monitored was Lamar Jackson and his future with the Ravens. Most took sides on if the club should re-sign the former MVP or not after he has yet to prove that he can stay healthy and rely on his passing in recent years. After a trade request and plenty of back and forth, both parties were able to make a contract reality.
Implications of that new deal on the Ravens cap will continue to be a battle during the entirety of that contract, but it will benefit the team with him there rather than move on. He is still an explosive playmaker with the ball in his hands, but he does carry concerns. Jackson has been hurt consistently in recent seasons and still struggles in big moments.
One area that has gone under the radar this offseason for Steelers fans checking out their rivals is their issues on defense. After their release of Calais Campbell, their starters on the defensive line have taken a hit via experience and talent. They will have some unproven starters there and some question marks at cornerback opposite Marlon Humphrey.
It will likely be a tough season for Baltimore's defensive unit in the trenches unless some names come out of nowhere. Their linebacking group is one of the better areas on their roster, but that defensive line could pose a huge issue. If Jackson remains healthy, this team will be in contention, but it will have its own warts that might be too hard to overcome.
Cincinnati's defense took a blow after losing both of their starting safeties
Most have acknowledged that the Bengals are the best team in the AFC North, and it seems like they should win the division for a third year in a row. They have the best quarterback among the four teams in their division and one of the most talented rosters in the AFC. They will make the playoffs again and should challenge for another Super Bowl run even with the personnel turnover they saw this offseason.
The Steelers have struggled to beat Cincinnati since Joe Burrow has become their starting quarterback. It will take a near-perfect performance by the black and gold to overcome the jungle cats of Cincinnati. The bad thing for everyone else in the division is the Bengals strengthened their offense, the good news is their defense took a slight hit.
Both Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III left town via free agency to cash in. That might not seem significant, but it is. Losing both starting safeties is like losing two partners that decide to split off and join a company somewhere else. They will have a new tandem this season, and that new duo will not be as good as their past players.
It looks like a potential duo of Dax Hill and Nick Scott will play a significant role as safeties for this defense. Hill had a small role in his rookie year and has a lot left to prove as a full-time safety for this club. Nick Scott was a nice discount replacement for Bell, but he will not have the same impact. This could be the point of weakness for the Bengals in the upcoming season.