AFC North: Best moves and other free agency questions

[Arkansas Bengal]

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

[T-Dub]

Quote

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

 

This is the sort of thing that has me down on Pollack despite only having late-round picks to work with.*  His OL very clearly does not like to employ wide zone concepts.  They suck at wide zone concepts.  Wide zone concepts send the QB to IR.  Wide zone concepts can't run the ball effectively.

 

Who gives a shit what the coaches like? A concept never blocked a blitzing LB.  The system needs to fit the players they have, not some ideal roster in their heads..  Guessing this also tilts their draft board, overvaluing guys who fit this pet scheme instead of being flexible enough to take the BPA and adjust.  He's gone after these smaller "athletic" linemen in the past that get absolutely ragdolled by AFCN DL's. 

 

Ditto Zac as our OC to an extent. At time he seems to be calling plays that only looked good on paper & don't seem to be playing to their strengths.  Starting with the OL's inability to execute them, assuming as a group they do have strengths to play to hidden somewhere.

 

 

 

*Carman is a notable exception as a 2nd round pick but the Bengals are not a good fit for a young player lacking motivation.  This is a franchise where players can just show up and smile a lot or whatever & know they're going to play out their contracts.  The coaches aren't scaring anybody because they're in that same boat no one seems willing to rock. Talked about it before, it's a cultural problem that I think stems from the nepotism.  Regardless of why, lazy players & ineffective coaches both seem to feel comfortable here & Carman is only the latest example.

[A Rock]

So, Patrick Queen is going to start blasting guys with uppercuts to the chinstrap, helmet first, (i.e. following in Ryan Shazier's "well rounded, game changing, long awaited footsteps")?

[|High School Harry|]

1 hour ago, A Rock said:

So, Patrick Queen is going to start blasting guys with uppercuts to the chinstrap, helmet first, (i.e. following in Ryan Shazier's "well rounded, game changing, long awaited footsteps")?

Agree and just threw up in my mouth a little bit at the thought.

[T-Dub]

On 3/25/2024 at 8:14 AM, A Rock said:

So, Patrick Queen is going to start blasting guys with uppercuts to the chinstrap, helmet first, (i.e. following in Ryan Shazier's "well rounded, game changing, long awaited footsteps")?

 

Can only hope it turns out the same way for him, only sooner.