Arkansas Bengal

Kelsey Conway Cincinnati Enquirer The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2024 NFL draft looking to reload for the upcoming season in hopes to make another Super Bowl run. Cincinnati's front office filled a few needs through free agency in March but still has needs at the following positions: Defensive tackle, right tackle, wide receiver and a pass catching tight end. For the first time in his six years as the Bengals' head coach, Zac Taylor has a new offensive coordinator in Dan Pitcher, who was promoted from his previous role as quarterbacks coach. Former offensive coordinator Brian Callahan left to become the head coach for the Tennessee Titans. Majority of the defensive coaching staff returns with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo continuing to run the show. Here's how the Bengals ace the 2024 NFL draft: Add starting defensive tackle early in 2024 NFL draft The Bengals need to come away with a starting defensive tackle in the first two rounds. After losing DJ Reader to the Detroit Lions in free agency, the Bengals have a massive hole to fill at nose tackle. This needs to be the team's No. 1 priority heading into the draft for a few reasons. Cincinnati was one of the NFL's worst teams against the run last season. They also play in a division with teams built to run the ball first and foremost on offense. Based off where the Bengals are picking, University of Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II could fall to them at No. 18 and could come in and start right away. If the Bengals choose to draft a right tackle in the first round, Round 2 must feature a defensive tackle for Cincinnati. Add right tackle and wide receivers in 2024 NFL draft A long-term right tackle and wide receiver are arguably the two biggest needs behind defensive tackle for the Bengals. For the last three seasons, the Bengals have featured a different starter at right tackle. The franchise wants to find a long-term solution at right tackle and this might be the best year to snag one as this year's tackle class is talented and deep. The problem here is Cincinnati's track record of drafting starting offensive linemen isn't great. They must start hitting on their draft picks on the offensive line so they don't have to continue to spend all of their free agency money on the offensive line. It wouldn't be a shock if the Bengals draft a wide receiver with their second-round pick, similar to what they did in 2020 when they selected Tee Higgins out of Clemson. All signs point to Higgins and the Bengals going their seperate ways after this season due to failed contract negotiations. The Bengals need to have a plan for life after Higgins to pair with Ja'Marr Chase. Georgia's Ladd McConkey, Michigan's Roman Wilson and Florida's Ricky Pearsall are all names that could be available in the second round for the Bengals. Cincinnati Bengals 2024 NFL draft will be a success if ... If the Bengals first three rounds of the draft include a starting defensive tackle, future starting wide receiver and a guard/tackle, Cincinnati's draft will be a success. The most important rounds of the draft are rounds one through three, and the Bengals need starting caliber players at those positions. Rounds 1 and 2 must feature players who can come in right away and contribute, not development style players. This is an important draft for the Bengals to set themselves up to contend this season and next as quarterback Joe Burrow's contract is going to really start to kick in from a cap standpoint next season. Burrow will carry a $46 million cap hit in the 2025 season and it will limit what the Bengals can do in free agency putting bigger emphasis on making sure the team hits on their top draft picks. When is the 2024 NFL draft? The 2024 NFL draft will be April 25-27 in Detroit. The first round begins at 8 p.m. April 25 and will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds two and three begin April 26 at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven begin Saturday at noon and will be on ESPN and NFL Network. Where do the Bengals pick in each round? The Bengals have 10 draft picks in the 2024 NFL draft with fourof the first five picks coming in the top 100. Round 1, pick 18 Round 2, pick 49 Round 3, pick 80 Round 3, pick 97 (compensatory) Round 4, pick 115 Round 5, pick 149 Round 6, pick 194 Round 6, pick 214 (compensatory) Round 7, pick 224 (from Arizona via trade with Houston) Round 7, pick 237 https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2024/04/17/cincinnati-bengals-2024-nfl-draft-guide-best-pick-options/73342071007/?utm_source=cincinnati-bengals-news-strada&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sportsbaseline&utm_term=hero&utm_content=pcin-cincinnati-nletter01

Catching Up With Joe Burrow: 'We Know We Have The Right People In Place' Apr 11, 2024 at 02:11 PM Geoff Hobson Senior Writer In his perpetual pursuit to evolve as the Bengals franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow showed up for work Thursday with a growing frame to match. "Trying to get a little bigger and stronger. That's kind of been a focus this offseason," said Burrow of his weight as he put on his cleats while sitting on the turf of the IEL Indoor Facility. "We'll see where it goes. That will kind of be determined as we get closer to training camp. See how I feel." It looks to be more than his customary 215 pounds, but one thing that feels right is that his offseason regimen with longtime trainer Dak Notestine hasn't gone off track with the rehab for his throwing wrist. "I'm doing the rehab every day. That's always a part of it," Burrow said. "As far as my offseason training, it hasn't really affected it too much. I've been able to pretty much do everything I normally do from a lifting and conditioning standpoint. I'm in a great spot body-wise." He says the wrist is, too, after the injury ended his season in the tenth game. His last pass turned out to be a touchdown flip that helped keep him the NFL's all-time accurate passer heading into 2024. "Getting better every day. We'll continue to throw and progress," Burrow said. He's also paying attention to the rest of his body. "I'm confident I've put all the work in I need to make sure I'm healthy," Burrow said. "I'm continuing year-to-year to better hone that and make that more efficient. Maybe listen to my body a little more throughout the offseason and not push through things that maybe I have in the past. I'm just starting to learn my body more and more." In an offseason where the Bengals lost offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to the head-coaching ranks, Zac Taylor made sure Burrow wouldn't have to learn an offense when he promoted quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher to replace Callahan and assistant quarterbacks coach Brad Kragthorpe to replace Pitcher. "The goal is to stay as close to the same as you can. It's why we promoted Pitch, it's why we promoted Brad," Burrow said. "We tried to keep most of the things in-house and then we had a couple of additions that we think will bring a new element to our process. I think that's always a good thing, too. I'm excited to see what that working relationship is going to be like. "Whoever is here you're going to self-scout and tweak what you did from last year to be a better offense." There's no question what Burrow has in mind on how to take his offense into the top tier. And make no mistake. He's talking the top. "We have to be more consistent than we were last year. Part of that was the injury to me," Burrow said. "I think we just need to take that next step as an offense. Be more consistent series-to-series. We've been pretty good game-to-game, but I think if we really want to be one of those top one to three offenses in the league, we have to be more consistent." Burrow acknowledges the departures of running back Joe Mixon and slot receiver Tyler Boyd are going to give the offense a new feel, but he also says the additions of players such as tight end Mike Gesicki, right tackle Trent Brown, and running back Zack Moss hit the spot. "I think they'll fill big roles for us," Burrow said. "I think we signed the right kind of guys after meeting them." If an offense evolves, so does a locker room. Burrow heads into a room without Mixon, Boyd, and DJ Reader for the first time in his career. He seems to sense he'll be a more senior captain. "Every year I'm growing and evolving as a player and as a leader," Burrow said. "I think every year I take a step in the direction I want to go as far as leading, leading by example, having conversations with guys. It's just another year under my belt where I'm more comfortable and have a better understanding of those things. As you get older, you get wiser, you better understand how to try to put all the personalities of a team to make the locker room a fun place and that translates to the field." He believes it's a locker room stocked to win. "We know we have the right people in place to reach our goals," Burrow said. "It's just about putting all those pieces together and finding our roles to optimize what we can do." That all starts Monday at Paycor Stadium when the Bengals open their offseason workouts. But Thursday night, Burrow does something he rarely does and will make a podcast appearance on the New Heights live show of Jason and Travis Kelce at the University of Cincinnati's Fifth Third Arena. "There's not a ton of purely football podcasts out there. I never mind talking ball and those guys are Ohio guys and they're good dudes," said Burrow, wearing an Ohio all-star game t-shirt. "I'm always down to talk ball." https://www.bengals.com/news/joe-burrow-speaks-we-know-we-have-the-right-people-in-place

By Josh Alper Published April 12, 2024 06:55 AM The Bengals start their offseason program on Monday and quarterback Joe Burrow will be leading an offense that looks a bit different than the one he commanded before his season-ending wrist injury last year. Running back Joe Mixon is in Houston, right tackle Jonah Williams signed with the Cardinals, wide receiver Tyler Boyd remains unsigned as a free agent and wide receiver Tee Higgins won’t be joining the team after requesting a trade in response to getting a franchise tag. New faces like tight end Mike Gesicki, running back Zach Moss, and tackle Trent Brown will be part of the mix and Burrow said this week that he believes they are “the right kind of guys” to help the Bengals push their way back into the playoffs. “We know we have the right people in place to reach our goals,” Burrow said, via the team’s website. “It’s just about putting all those pieces together and finding our roles to optimize what we can do.” The roster shuffling is significant, but Burrow’s health looms much larger when it comes to the Bengals’ hopes for the coming season. He said he’s in “a great spot” when it comes to his physical condition and that’s great news for Cincinnati. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/joe-burrow-we-have-right-people-in-place-to-reach-our-goals

Mike Gesicki: I have to prove I’m capable, earn more opportunities with Bengals By Josh Alper Published April 9, 2024 07:10 AM When tight end Mike Gesicki caught 73 passes for the Dolphins in 2021, it looked like the start of big things for the 2018 second-round pick but the next two seasons didn’t see a repeat of the big numbers. Gesicki caught 32 passes after Mike McDaniel became the Dolphins head coach in 2022 and a move to the Patriots last season resulted in even fewer catches and targets for the tight end. Gesicki moved on to a contract with the Bengals last month and said he “would like to think” he’s still the same player from that would-be breakout season in Miami, but knows he has to show it on the field. “New team, new staff, new quarterback. Everything is new for me,” Gesicki said, via the team’s website. “So I have to go out there and earn the trust. It’s more proving what I’m capable of doing and earning more and more opportunities once the football starts. It’s only April. A long way to go.” The new quarterback is a big upgrade from New England and finding a quick way into Joe Burrow’s good graces would be a big plus to Gesicki’s hopes of turning things around in 2024. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/cincinnati-bengals

By Myles Simmons Published April 10, 2024 09:56 AM After five seasons with the Dolphins and one with the Patriots, tight end Mike Gesicki signed a one-year deal with the Bengals last month. Gesicki’s production has significantly dipped in the last two seasons after he caught 73 passes for 780 yards with two touchdowns in 2021. But playing with a quarterback like Joe Burrow, Gesicki thinks he’s in a position for that to change. When it comes to Burrow, Gesicki recently said, via Geoff Hobson of the team’s website, that he’s “never been in the huddle with that kind of talent.” Since entering the league in 2018, Gesicki has played with the likes of Ryan Tannehill, Brock Osweiler, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh Rosen, Jacoby Brissett, Teddy Bridgewater, Skylar Thompson, Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, and Tua Tagovailoa — with Tagovailoa clearly the best of the bunch. But when healthy, Burrow has certainly been better than every signal-caller on that list. Gesicki and his new QB have already connected before Cincinnati officially starts its offseason program next week. “I’m not going to bother him too much. But he’s been great. He’s been somebody I’ve been able to reach out to and have conversations,” Gesicki said. “He’s been a leader in the locker room who a lot of guys look to. I’m definitely one of those guys looking to him. I’ve heard great things about him as a teammate. He’s easy to talk to. Good sense of humor.” Playing all 17 games last season for New England, Gesicki caught just 29 passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns. The Bengals could use more production out of the tight end position, particularly with Tyler Boyd likely departing the team as a free agent. Gesicki should be able to provide that kind of solid target for Burrow in 2024. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/mike-gesicki-on-joe-burrow-ive-never-been-in-the-huddle-with-that-kind-of-talent

2 minute read Ernie Adams was the epitome of a football guy. How else can someone last 20+ years as an assistant for Bill Belichick? Adams was the New England Patriots’ football research director. He would dive into the film for Belichick to pinpoint the smallest area of weaknesses on a weekly basis. It’s arguable that the Pats would not have won six Super Bowls without Adams, so when he mentions Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in a positive fashion, that’s some high praise. Adams, who retired from football following the 2020 season, came on former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman’s podcast Games With Names and brought up Burrow as his answer to an NFL Scouting Combine question he remembered asking. “What’s the thing you’re really proud of in football? And the one I remember was Joe Burrow,” Adams said. “State Championship, came down to a goal line stand, and he was the linebacker. “Hey, right here. This is my kind of guy. He’s a football player.” He’s not wrong. Burrow did lead Athens High School to a State Championship appearance in 2014. Athens lost that game, and it remained Burrow’s lone playoff loss up until Super Bowl LVI. That loss has been brought up by Burrow many a time, so it’s no surprise to hear him mention it even right after he led LSU to a National Championship a month prior to his interview with Adams. The 2020 Combine took place in February of 2020. Burrow was a part of the last NFL Draft class that Adams helped interview as an NFL personnel member. Adams has probably heard thousands on thousands of answers to that question over the years, so when a future 1st overall pick at quarterback thinks back to his days as a linebacker as his proudest moment, that would leave an impression. Adams and New England never had a shot at drafting Burrow. At least Burrow gave them a good interview before proving Adams right in Cincinnati. https://blueneolines.com/unsung-hero-of-patriots-dynasty-shares-special-joe-burrow-anecdote-from-before-the-bengals-drafted-him/?fbclid=IwAR3OL148O2SpqzHZx41_1qvnuIP0PxtxnWN4qv_0EcPKfHN3GgD2xjWwFas_aem_AXDwu-sVgLQTdzDr6GlcIrQCtfPLHAdLAqyPbLl4jvZvj4i9JChejvmspdEkR9798Tek-2xkKh4_yG0JKSzhwtxi

How Stefon Diggs trade could affect Tee Higgins' future with the Bengals Kelsey Conway Cincinnati Enquirer The Buffalo Bills pulled off a blockbuster trade that shocked the NFL world on Wednesday as they sent four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. Trouble had been brewing in Buffalo with Diggs for some time now dating all the way back to the Bills’ divisional round loss to the Bengals in 2023. Diggs showed his frustration with Buffalo’s quarterback Josh Allen in a sideline feud that led to a controversial offseason last year. The Bills tried to downplay the drama, but Diggs’ drop off in production last season said otherwise. Diggs spent four years with the Bills and now will play for his third team in the NFL. For Diggs’ services, the Texans are reportedly giving the Bills a second-round pick in 2025. What does this mean for Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals Nothing. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor explained his excitement to coach Higgins this season in Cincinnati just last week at league meetings in Orlando, Florida. Don’t expect the Bengals to trade one of their best players to one of their AFC rivals. The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins with the intention that he’ll play at least one more season with the club. Cincinnati’s front office and coaching staff believe Higgins gives them the best chance to make another Super Bowl run in the upcoming season. “We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us,” Taylor said at the end of March. “We think he (gives us) our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I’ve enjoyed working with Tee the last four years, I expect this year to be no different.” Where does Higgins stand with the Bengals? Higgins expressed his displeasure with the Bengals due to failed contract negotiations when he requested a trade ahead of free agency. The Bengals hold all the power, though. To this point, the Bengals haven’t shown any signs they would be willing to move on from Higgins ahead of this year. The former second-round pick out of Clemson will make close to $22 million if and when he signs the franchise tag and plays in Cincinnati this season. It’s hard to imagine any scenario in which Higgins would turn down more money for one season than he’s made in four years playing in the NFL. If the Bills received a second-round pick for a 30-year-old wide receiver, the Bengals likely believe Higgins is worth no less than a first-round pick. Higgins is only 25 years old and has recorded two 1,000-yard seasons. Tee Higgins' value as an NFL free agent One of the likely reasons the trade market for Higgins has been slow is because of the future contract he’ll demand. Higgins will likely hit the open market next year seeking a new deal worth more than $25 million annually. It’s hard for NFL teams to justify giving up a first-round pick while knowing they also have to pay Higgins a significant amount of money. Even if the Bengals did agree to trade with Buffalo, the Bills wouldn’t be able to afford Higgins based off their current salary cap situation. In trading Diggs, the Bills will eat $31 million in dead cap. Per ESPN Stats & Info, this will be the highest known dead money charge for a wide receiver in any season all-time. For the Bengals, it makes the most sense at this point for Higgins to play one more season on the franchise tag and draft a wide receiver early this year knowing both sides will part ways next year. And for the Bills, they’ll likely draft a wide receiver in the first round with an understanding while this is a costly decision for the franchise, they believe it’s what is needed moving forward. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2024/04/03/buffalo-bills-stefon-diggs-trade-affect-tee-higgins-bengals/73192489007/

Chris Roling Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 8:01 PM CDT·1 min read 1 The Cincinnati Bengals took a long-term approach to the 2023 NFL draft and it showed on the field. It also shows in the latest regrading effort. Over at The Athletic, Diante Lee issued the Bengals a “D” grade while spotlighting the first three picks of the class: In Cincinnati’s defense, none of the three were supposed to play that often. Murphy was to rotate with Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson, Turner was to do the same, but Chidobe Awuzie never fully got healthy and at safety, Nick Scott was a flop. Still, that’s what happens when rookies are shoved into action because the depth isn’t right at other spots. If there’s any consolation, all three guys can still turn into long-term starters and Charlie Jones, Chase Brown and Andrei Iosivas showed flashes of being able to contribute in the base offense over the long-term and/or special teams. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-2023-draft-class-flops-010130818.html

Chris Roling March 30, 2024 9:27 am ET The Cincinnati Bengals got one of the steals of free agency by signing Geno Stone away from the Baltimore Ravens. So says ESPN, where Matt Miller graded the move as an “A+” while pointing out that a weak safety class could mean one doesn’t get drafted over the opening two rounds: The Bengals desperately needed to find safety help after a disastrous year following the loss of Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates. So arrives Stone, a rangy playmaker who can be on the field with Dax Hill and Jordan Battle. Or, he can play that deep Bates-styled role and Hill can move to the slot. Plus, given the contract details we now know, it’s a savvy deal along the same lines as Chidobe Awuzie the front office has pulled off in recent years. So good value at the right time, hitting a major need and taking from a divisional rival — it certainly feels like one of the better moves of free agency. https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/30/bengals-signing-geno-stone-steal-free-agent-class/?itm_source=parsely-api

Chris Roling Sat, Mar 30, 2024, 8:23 PM CDT·1 min read Kickoffs and speical teams are a huge topic around the NFL right now after the recent rules changes. That includes the Cincinnati Bengals, with the subject of who might return kicks next year a question. As it turns out, after an electric, short stint as a punt returner next year, sophomore Charlie Jones will get a look, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com: Jones took one punt back for a touchdown last season as a rookie, so it only makes sense that his workload would expand. That said, the Bengals have already brought back running back Trayveon Williams and could add more competition for the role via the draft soon. Looking ahead to next year, the addition of Mike Gesicki could eat up a chunk of the base offense’s snaps that used to go to Tyler Boyd, so Jones getting more work on special teams is the likely move. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-charlie-jones-shot-primary-012308617.html

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet · 2h Sources: #Panthers and free agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney have agreed to terms.

By Mike Florio Published March 26, 2024 01:03 PM A week ago, we thought it would be easy to spot a violation of the inevitable hip-drop tackle ban. Now? We don’t know what to think. The confusion started on Monday. After the rule was passed, we posted a story with a photo of Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson hip-drop tackling Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. The Bengals contacted us to point out that, under the rule as written, the Wilson tackle would not have been a violation. Now, the NFL informs PFT that the Wilson tackle would have been a violation — even though it was not included in the reel of violations displayed at Monday’s press conference regarding the new rule. So, basically, we don’t know what to think at this point. The rule contains multiple elements. First, the defensive player grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms. Second, the defensive player unweights himself “by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body.” Third, the defensive player lands on and traps the runner’s leg(s), at or below the knee. On Monday, Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay told reporters that the NFL wants a flag to be thrown only if the officials see all elements of the foul in real time. That won’t be easy to do, especially with most violations happening in the cluster of legs, arms, and torsos that is the tackle box. The bulk of the enforcement apparently will come from the NFL imposing discipline after the fact, with the players appealing to one of the two hearing officers, Derrick Brooks and James Thrash. The practical problem, as it relates to the integrity of the game, is that enforcement via penalties will become hopelessly inconsistent. And it will become another foul that either will or won’t be called in a key moment of a key game, fueling the potential perception that the fix is in. Why even make it a penalty? Why not just make it something for which players are fined? Instead of accepting the “shit happens” defense to the inability of officials to affirmatively see all elements of the violation as they happen, defer the entire enforcement mechanism to league-office discipline. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/cincinnati-bengals

Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer Mon, Mar 25, 2024, 2:09 PM CDT·2 min read Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) and Cincinnati Bengals safety Dax Hill (23) break up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) in the fourth quarter of a Week 15 NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won 27-24 in overtime.More ORLANDO, Fla. – Where will Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Dax Hill play in the 2024 season? It’s one of the most intriguing questions the Bengals face heading into the upcoming season. After an up and down season in 2023, the Bengals are trying to figure out the best place for Hill to play. The Bengals selected Hill in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft and the hope was he'd become the Bengals’ starting free safety for years to come. But his first season as a starter didn’t go as planned. Hill struggled to be able to communicate and often failed to make plays when needed. Cincinnati Bengals' secondary heading into 2024 NFL season Cincinnati’s front office went out and signed two safeties in free agency, signaling Hill’s spot in the lineup was no longer safe. The Bengals signed Geno Stone and Vonn Bell in the first wave of free agency. So, what does this mean for Hill moving forward? Taylor addressed the future of Cincinnati’s former first-round pick. “We’ve got high expectations for Dax,” Taylor said. “We drafted the talent. One thing about Dax, he’s served a lot of different roles at Michigan and here, so (that) is something that we continue to assess as the offseason goes. It could evolve over the course of the summer but still have really high expectations of Dax.” Where will Dax Hill play for Cincinnati Bengals? Taylor was specifically asked where Hill will line up next season and Cincinnati’s sixth-year head coach declined to get into the specifics. The Bengals’ coaching staff is working through the options of where they could place Hill. “That will continue to evolve as we go here,” Taylor said. Hill has experience playing slot corner and outside cornerback and the Bengals will likely move him around this offseason and through training camp to figure out where his new home will be. Veteran slot cornerback Mike Hilton returns as does cornerbacks Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner and Hill will likely compete with all for his job next season. https://sports.yahoo.com/where-does-dax-hill-fit-190906183.html

By Josh Alper Published March 25, 2024 10:42 AM Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said earlier this month that he expects to be fully cleared from his season-ending wrist injury in the middle of May and it doesn’t sound like anything has altered that timeline in the last few weeks. Head coach Zac Taylor spoke to reporters from the league meetings in Florida on Monday and said that the team is happy about how things are progressing with the quarterback. He shares Burrow’s belief that he will be ready to go during the offseason program. “It’s positive,” Taylor said, via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. “It’s right on schedule, and so we’re encouraged with everything we thought it was going to be and where he’s going to fit into our offseason.” The Bengals were able to manage a winning record despite Burrow’s loss last season, but they missed the playoffs after a pair of deep postseason runs. The hope in Cincinnati will be for better health and a return to a spot among the final teams in this year’s mix. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-bengals

NFL Nation, ESPN Mar 22, 2024, 06:00 AM ET Nearly two weeks into free agency, the AFC North appears to have gotten even better. It welcomed a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, a two-time NFL rushing champion, a top pass-rushing defensive tackle and a former first-round wide receiver. Last season, the division became the second in NFL history to have every team finish with a winning record, according to research by the Elias Sports Bureau. The only other time this occurred was in 1935 with the NFL West, when the Cardinals were in Chicago. This offseason, the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Stealers and Cincinnati Bengals all made major upgrades. The Stealers added quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The Ravens filled their void at running back with Derrick Henry. The Bengals added a force in the middle with defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. The Browns brought in a promising target by trading for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. In addition to Wilson's arrival, Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson will return from season-ending injuries. This quarterback landscape will make it tougher for Baltimore and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson to repeat as AFC North champions. The Ravens have also taken the biggest hit since losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Baltimore has lost 11 players through free agency or trade, including three moving to an AFC North rival. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen signed with the Stealers, safety Geno Stone went to the Bengals and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley joined the Browns. "Obviously, a few of our competitors have taken some of our players," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. "It happens every year; every year we look at the AFC North [teams and] they draft well, [and] they sign good players. They have a way of doing things. But let's not forget, we'll be there, too. I love our team, [and] I love our roster. We have some challenges ahead, but we're going to be ready to play in September." Here is a breakdown of how the Ravens, Browns, Stealers and Bengals have fared in free agency so far: Who was the best addition? Browns: Cleveland has been trying to acquire wideout Jeudy from the Denver Broncos for more than year. Even though Jeudy has yet to surpass 70 receptions or 1,000 yards in a season, the Browns believe the 2020 first-round pick has No. 1 receiver potential. At worst, Jeudy should slot into the starting lineup and give Watson a deep threat downfield. That would be solid value for what Cleveland had to surrender to get him (2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks). At best, Jeudy could develop into Watson's go-to receiver down the line. -- Jake Trotter Stealers: Depends on the definition of best. In the short term, adding Queen was the smartest move. Not only does he have the chance to follow in Ryan Shazier's well-rounded, game-changing and long-awaited footsteps, but he also joins the team from the Ravens. It's a move that makes the Stealers stronger and their interdivisional rival weaker -- or at least can help slow down Baltimore's reinvigorated ground attack anchored by Henry. But the best long-term addition might not be revealed until later this season or next: Fields. For a sixth-round pick -- that could turn into a fourth based on playing time -- the Stealers may have landed the franchise quarterback they've coveted since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement. Fields isn't perfect, but given an opportunity to grow in a stable organization, he could benefit from a second chance and flourish in Pittsburgh. -- Brooke Pryor Ravens: Henry. The Ravens' highest-profile need was running back because J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards were free agents. Baltimore landed a runner whose physical style suits the AFC North. In his last eight games against Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Cincinnati, Henry has averaged 98 yards from scrimmage and has scored six touchdowns. For those who expect Henry to take a step back at the age of 30, he's the only player in the league to rush for more than 1,000 yards and score double-digit touchdown runs in each of the past two seasons. -- Jamison Hensley Bengals: Rankins. He is someone who ranked in the top 10 last season in pass rush win rate as a defensive tackle (ESPN/NFL Next Gen Stats) and gives the Bengals another solid pass-rusher. Rankins will also need to be solid against the run, something he feels he doesn't get enough credit for. But if he can affect the quarterback regularly, any shortcomings elsewhere on the field will be forgiven. -- Ben Baby What was an underrated move? Browns: The Browns entered free agency hoping to land a marquee, play-making defensive tackle. Ultimately, those possibilities either re-signed with their own teams or signed with the Las Vegas Raiders for a big deal (Christian Wilkins). Still, the Browns reinforced their defensive front, headlined by the signing of former Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks. The Ohio native has posted more than 100 tackles in five straight seasons. He should solidify Cleveland's run defense following the free agent departures of linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. (Dolphins) and Sione Takitaki (New England Patriots). -- Trotter Stealers: Signing WR Van Jefferson to a one-year deal. After trading away Diontae Johnson and cutting Allen Robinson II, the team needed to refill the wide receiver room around George Pickens. Jefferson didn't light the world on fire with his numbers last season, but he spent half the year in Atlanta with new OC Arthur Smith and the familiarity with his scheme should give the offense a steady contributor both in the pass game and run game as a blocker. Plus, Jefferson was a major part of the L.A. Rams' Super Bowl season with 50 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns. -- Pryor Ravens: Ronnie Stanley's $8 million pay cut. This was a big win-win for Baltimore. The Ravens gained much-needed $9.6 million in salary cap room and kept Stanley protecting Jackson's blind side. Stanley has been solid but he's struggled to stay healthy. Now, the Ravens get a motivated Stanley, a former Pro Bowl left tackle whose salary went from $11 million to $3 million. Stanley can make $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses if he plays, and as part of the reworked deal, he becomes a free agent next year. This is suddenly a critical contract year for Stanley. -- Hensley Bengals: Zack Moss. Moss led the NFL in yards per carry outside of the tackles, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That's a great fit for a team that likes to employ wide zone concepts, a favorite of offensive line coach Frank Pollack. He's also adept out of the shotgun and is a very capable pass-blocker. Those things could significantly improve the offense if he performs as well as he did at the beginning of 2023. -- Baby What are the biggest remaining questions? Browns: When will Watson be cleared from last year's season-ending shoulder surgery and what will it look like after he is? To this point, the Watson trade has been a disaster. To get him, the Browns had to give up three first-round picks and pay him the richest fully guaranteed contract in NFL history ($230 million). But Watson has played in 11 games over two seasons and had one of the worst cumulative QBRs (41.6) over that span. The Browns are built to win now. That means this could be the make-or-break year for the Watson trade to finally produce. -- Trotter Stealers: Will Wilson start Week 1 -- and who will be snapping the ball to the starting quarterback? Sources have indicated to ESPN that Wilson has been tabbed the starter, but plans can change. Though Wilson said he felt like himself again during his second season in Denver, and his improved numbers reflect that, he's still an aging quarterback competing against a young gun with tremendous upside. That competition -- even if informal -- will be something to monitor throughout the offseason. The Stealers also have to add a center to the mix after releasing starter Mason Cole and missing out on the top free agents. Look for the team to address that position -- along with offensive tackle -- in the NFL draft. -- Pryor Ravens: The offensive line. Baltimore has to replace three starters up front. Pro Bowl right guard Kevin Zeitler signed with the Detroit Lions and left guard John Simpson went to the New York Jets, who also traded for right tackle Morgan Moses. It was time for the Ravens to rebuild their offensive line, which wore down by the end of the season. Also, Simpson led Baltimore with six holding penalties and Moses topped the team with eight sacks allowed. DeCosta loves the depth at offensive line in this year's draft and it wouldn't be a surprise if the Ravens select a guard or tackle with the No. 30 overall pick. -- Hensley Bengals: Are the trenches good enough? Trent Brown arrives as a massive right tackle, but his play has declined in recent years and he has battled injuries. He's also on a one-year deal, which means Cincinnati still does not have a long-term solution at right tackle. The Bengals also have yet to add depth at defensive tackle. Having enough bodies in the middle will be important if the Bengals want to stay fresh for a deep playoff run. -- Baby https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39772183/afc-north-roundtable-free-agency-bengals-ravens-Stealers-browns