[2023] Division Preview: AFC North

[Piercewise1]

AFC NORTH
 

Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Last Year: 12-5 (division champion)

Additions:

DT Timothy Taylor (83, 10)
TE John Hendrickson (76, 6)
DE Philip Wilcox (75, 4)
WR Barry Madruga (72, 4)

Departures:

OG Nicholas Conti (75, 7)

Key Progressions:

WR Antonio Campoverde +4 (75, 5)
OT John Alfred +5 (80, 4)
OT Richard Farris +5 (77, 5)
OT Elijhaa Rader +6 (70, 2)
C Raul Hallett +5 (75, 4)

Rookie to Watch:

CB Tommy Montero

Overview:

After an appearance in the AFC Championship Game, the Bengals are all-in on winning now. They traded away their top 3 picks this year and next year’s 1^st to add veteran talent to their roster. Meanwhile, their offensive line has gone from impressive to excellent, particularly last year’s #1 overall pick Elijhaa Rader who is already a 70 OVR.

Strengths:

Offensive line
Offensive skill (RB/WR/TE)

Weaknesses:

Outside linebacker
Defensive backfield

Outlook:

The Bengals won their division and then got a lot better, so they appear to have the inside track on a repeat performance. But that secondary is suspect, so look for teams to attack with the passing game and try to win in a shootout. We could have some exciting offensive performances from the team (and its opponents) this season.

 

Team: Cleveland Browns
Last Year: 11-5-1 (wild card)

Additions:

N/A

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

WR George Lovejoy +7 (71, 3)
OT Bao Sultana +5 (73, 4)
OG Dennis Matsui +6 (74, 4)
DE David Sparacino +5 (72, 5)
CB Kolton Hayes +6 (63, 2)

Rookie to Watch:

OLB Gordon Diallo

Overview:

The Browns had a relatively quiet offseason but saw big progressions in key areas. Lovejoy scored a rare +7, and linemen on both sides of the ball saw major improvements as well. This team that was carried by its defense last year now has 9 offensive starters of 70+, so we could see a shift to a more aggressive gameplan in the future.

Strengths:

Offensive line
Outside linebacker

Weaknesses:

Cornerback

Outlook:

The Browns finished behind the Bengals in the standings and lost to them in the playoffs, so the road to the AFC North title begins close to home. The team has certainly improved, though the CB room is probably a year away from being NFL-caliber. Despite that, Cleveland looks like a strong contender for a playoff push and maybe even a division title.

 

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Year: 7-10 (3^rd in division)

Additions:

N/A

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

OT James Knoll +4 (76, 4)
TE Devontae McKinney +6 (60, 2)
DE Krzysztof Leatherman +5 (74, 4)
DT Robert Berry +6 (80, 5)
SS Jose Gomez-Rodriguez +5 (73, 5)

Rookie to Watch:

CB Aaron McNitt

Overview:

After some early struggles last year, Pittsburgh found its identity in the run game and finished with 7 wins. Look for that strategy to continue with a newly buffed scrambler at the helm (Robert Morris, 76) and Dario Tamayo (82) in the backfield. When the defense is on the field, watch for the trio of DE Krzysztof Leatherman (74) and DTs Robert Berry (80) and Richard Crawford (78) to dominate the trenches.

Strengths:

Defensive line
Safety

Weaknesses:

Inside linebacker

Outlook:

Top-to-bottom the roster isn’t as stacked as some other teams in the conference, but we’ve already seen run-heavy, ball-control teams have success in the sim so don’t underestimate it. Devonte MicKinney’s progression should help give the offense an extra dimension, as Morris gains another effective target.

 

Team: Baltimore Ravens
Last Year: 3-14 (4^th in division)

Additions:

N/A

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

TE Charles Tice +6 (66, 3)
WR Edwin Garcia +5 (70, 3)
DT Jeffrey Jesse +6 (80, 5)
CB Juan Vega +4 (78, 5)
FS Matt Perez +6 (62, 2)

Rookie to Watch:

WR Andrew Jones

Overview:

The Ravens were a top-5 progression team this offseason, with an average gain of 2.8 OVR per player. David Chop looks scarier than ever, and his supporting cast has taken a big leap forward with the development of Tice / Garcia and the drafting of Andrew Jones with the 4^th overall pick. Meanwhile, the twice-traded Juan Vega seems to have finally found a permanent home, as the Ravens signed him to a 4-year extension.

Strengths:

Quarterback

Weaknesses:

Offensive line
Linebacker
Safety

Outlook:

Baltimore is very much a rebuilding team, and it will take time for these young players and high draft picks to maximize their impact. But it looks like the franchise is headed in the right direction, and that offense could be dangerous if given some time to develop.