When I think of the AFC North, a certain brand of football comes to mind. Gritty, tough, and nasty, this division is packed with rivalries. Ravens/Steelers is arguably the best in the NFL. The “Hines Ward Rule,” Vontaze Burfict’s hit on Antonio Brown. Myles Garrett and the helmet swing. The list goes on. There is no love lost between these four teams.
In the last six years, the Steelers, Ravens, and Bengals have each won the AFC North twice. The long-suffering Browns have even returned to relevance, making the playoffs in 2020 where they knocked off Pittsburgh. 2023 will be Deshaun Watson’s first full season as a Brown and this could very well turn into an even tighter race for the AFC North crown.
For now, the Cincinnati Bengals certainly appear to be the team to beat. Coming off a Super Bowl loss in Joe Burrow’s second season in the NFL, they have again entered the playoffs hot, rattling off eight straight wins.
2023 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals
Make no mistake; the Bengals window is now. With Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins on their rookie deals, the Bengals are hyper-competitive but still maintain the financial flexibility to add pieces where needed. It will be crucial that the Bengals continue to draft well.
Young, elite players eventually come off of their rookie deals and expect to be paid market value. The Bengals will need to grapple with that in the coming offseasons. Having good, young talent waiting in the wings helps when weighing those free agency decisions. The real skill is in balancing the franchise’s current needs, with consideration for future needs. Because of this, the Bengals could go in a several different directions in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Top Draft Needs: CB, SAF, OT
The Bengals play in the AFC. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you realize that the AFC is loaded with several elite passing offenses. The Bengals finished with the fifth-best passing attack (265 ypg). Of the four teams ahead of them, three of them (Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins) play in the AFC. In order to maintain a level of relevance in this conference, adding playmakers to your secondary is vitally important.
At cornerback, Eli Apple and Tre Flowers will be free agents this offseason. The Bengals may re-sign one or the other, but depth at the position will be on the radar regardless. On top of that, Chidobe Awuzie may not be ready for Week 1 after suffering a knee injury in Week 8. At safety, Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell are both set to hit free agency in the offseason. This is one of the best safety duos in the NFL and replacing either guy is going to be challenging. I believe the Bengals will address both corner and safety in the NFL Draft.
Outside of the secondary, the Bengals may also look to bolster their offensive line. Despite the makeover in 2022, the position group remains a weakness. Protecting Joe Burrow is a must, and this is the year to need offensive line help (specifically at OT).
I could also see a world where the Bengals draft a pass catcher. Though the receiver room is a strength, Tee Higgins is going to want WR1 money when he hits free agency next offseason and the Bengals may decide to let him walk. Tight end Hayden Hurst will be a free agent this offseason and while he’s had a solid season, the Bengals may need to look to the draft if they choose not to retain him in free agency.
2023 NFL Draft: Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens limped into the playoffs with a second and third-string quarterback under center, as Lamar Jackson continues to be hampered with a knee injury. Whenever their postseason runs come to a close, Baltimore will enter the offseason with a problem: Lamar Jackson still wants to get paid.
It’s hard to imagine Jackson leaving Baltimore via trade or free agency, but if he does, a quarterback immediately becomes priority number one. Jackson is 26 years old, a former MVP, and the Ravens have now made the playoffs in four out of the five seasons Lamar has been in the league. The Ravens are not finding someone like Lamar Jackson in the 2023 NFL Draft and these last few weeks serve as a good reminder of just how valuable Jackson is to this team. In the unlikely event that the two sides cannot come to an agreement, I expect Baltimore to fill this void through free agency. There is too much talent on this team to not operate in win-now mode.
Top Draft Needs: WR, CB, OG
The more likely outcome is that Lamar Jackson and the Ravens agree to a long-term deal in the offseason. In this case, Baltimore needs to do everything they can to surround Jackson with the talent he needs to win the Super Bowl. Last year, we saw Marquise Brown traded on draft night to Arizona. Brown was Jackson’s favorite target outside of Mark Andrews. Jackson will hope for the inverse result this year. A speedster in the mold of Hollywood Brown would be a welcome addition.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens also have a decision to make on retaining cornerback Marcus Peters. The Ravens have long prized defensive playmakers, and Peters has been a good player for them. However, Peters just turned 30 years old and could want more money than the Ravens have to spend. After extending Roquan Smith to the tune of $100 million and with the Lamar contract looming, it’s fair to wonder if Peters is the odd man out.
The Ravens may also look to address depth on their offensive line. Kevin Zeitler will be 33 years old and is entering the last year of his contract. Adding someone they can develop to fill that void will surely be on their radar in the NFL Draft.
2023 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns shocked the football community last offseason when they traded away three first round picks (six picks total) for the rights to quarterback Deshaun Watson. They later agreed to a hefty new contract with $230 million in guaranteed money. I expect Watson to have fully shaken the rust off ahead of the 2023 season.
With all-world running back Nick Chubb in tow, this offense has a lot of talent. Donovan Peoples-Jones took a huge leap in his third NFL season, Amari Cooper had the best season that no one’s talking about, and David Njoku looks ready to finally deliver on his tantalizing potential. As a result, I believe the Browns will prioritize the defensive side of the ball.
After Sunday, Amari Cooper could have 1200+ yards and finish top 5 in rec TDs.
— Barstool Cleveland (@BS_Cleveland) January 4, 2023
Feels good to have a legit #1 wide out finally. pic.twitter.com/gKAcEJsyB6
Top Draft Needs: IDL, EDGE, S
This is a defense that should see substantial change this offseason. With the recent firing of defensive coordinator Joe Woods, the Browns may experience a scheme change. Jerod Mayo and Brian Flores are both strong candidates for the job, each favoring a base 3-4 defense. Jim Schwartz, also a candidate, runs a 4-3. The departing Joe Woods ran a 4-2-5.
Regardless, the Browns will need help on the interior defensive line and at the EDGE. Defensive tackle was their biggest weakness all season but it’s also increasingly obvious that Jadeveon Clowney will not be back with Cleveland next season. The Browns will have to address their several holes up front.
Cleveland could also look for an upgrade at the safety position, which was once considered a strength for this unit. Ronnie Harrison has regressed to being almost unplayable, and is set to become a free agent. Grant Delpit is talented, but wildly inconsistent, and will be set for free agency next offseason. John Johnson III has been okay, not good, and is also set to be a free agent next offseason. Drafting a free safety in April is a strong possibility.
2023 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin just refuses to field a sub-.500 football team. Despite starting a combination of quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett, and despite T.J. Watt only playing 10 games due to injury, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers found a way to win. In the first season without mainstay starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh finished the season at 9-8.
In the back half of the season, Kenny Pickett gave Steelers fans much to be excited about. The rookie showed some flashes in leading his team to three straight wins to close the season. Pittsburgh is in good shape in the backfield with bell-cow Najee Harris and change-of-pace rookie Jaylen Warren. At the receiver position, George Pickens was a revelation in his rookie season, delivering highlight-reel grabs on a routine basis. Second-year tight end Pat Freiermuth continues to grow and has a chance to be among the league’s elite at the position.
this is why the Steelers need to feed George Pickens pic.twitter.com/AkBEr1GXpF
— alex (@highIightheaven) January 2, 2023
Top Draft Needs: OL, IDL, CB
On offense, Pittsburgh should focus its attention to the offensive line. If Kenny Pickett is the franchise quarterback, the Steelers cannot afford to be content with left tackle Dan Moore Jr. While the line did play better in the second half of the season, upgrading that position must remain top-of-mind. Pittsburgh could consider adding a guard in the mid-to-late rounds as well.
On the other side of the ball, the interior defensive line needs to be upgraded. While still performing at a high level, Cam Heyward isn’t getting any younger. Larry Ogunjobi, Chris Wormley, and Tyson Alualu are each set to be free agents in the offseason. Targeting a cornerback is also likely for similar reasons. Cameron Sutton is set to be an unrestricted free agent, while James Pierre will be a restricted free agent.
This is a great year to need a cornerback, as the class has many top-end options at the position. Keep an eye on the safety position as well. With box safety Terrell Edmunds and free safety Damontae Kazee set to hit free agency, the Steelers will likely leverage the draft if they are unable to agree on an extension with either.