A season ago the AFC North was one of the strongest divisions in the league and were home to the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. It was also home to one of the most exciting rivalries Ravens vs. Steelers. Most thought that this season the AFC North would again be a top division with contenders like the Steelers and Ravens, plus the Cincinnati Bengals who have been getting better and better each year. All three of these teams were thought to be legit playoff contenders. Unfortunately the season didn’t start off well for the Ravens and Steelers who were thought to still be the two top teams, and the Bengals after having a good season met a swift exit from the playoffs yet again. Will this division regain its prestige with key free agent signings?
Cleveland Browns
Key Acquisitions
Donte Whitner, Saftey
Karlos Dansby, Linebacker
Ben Tate, Runningback
Key Losses
T.J. Ward, Saftey
Brandon Weeden, Quarterback
Shawn Lauvao, Guard
The Browns have been the bottom feeders of this division for a while and you have to feel for them. With teams like the Steelers and Ravens who rarely have down years and a Bengals team that has found its stride it can be tough to become relevant. They have made key steps to becoming a contender in this division by bringing in good young talent in their recent draft classes and they made a couple good moves this offseason.
Other than a quarterback the teams top need had to be running back as Trent Richardson not becoming the franchise guy they thought he would they needed to bring in another young back to carry the load. Ben Tate has been a back up his entire career but many including me think he has the talent to be a starting running back in the league. The Browns bring him in will balance their offensive attack.
Unfortunately there are always casualties in free agency and the Browns lost a couple key guys. They team had to say goodbye to one of their top defensive backs safety T.J. Ward who made it to his first pro bowl this season signed with the Broncos. The team was able to cushion the loss of Ward by signing veteran Donte Whitner, but to lose a young star like Ward will really hurt their cause. They also lost starting guard Shawn Lauvao one of their top pass protectors. The team will need to fill the hole in the line especially if they plan on drafting a quarterback in this years draft.
Baltimore Ravens
Key Acquisitions
Steve Smith, Reciever
Darian Stewart, Saftey
Key Losses
Arthur Jones, Defensive End
Michael Oher, Tackle
Jameel McClain, Linebacker
Corey Graham, Cornerback
The Ravens had a disappointing year last year, not even making the playoffs after taking home the Super Bowl the year before. Proving how hard it is to move on without future H.O.F.’s Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. The team also lost Dennis Pitta there best tight end in the pre season. With all these key losses its not hard to see why they struggled this season.
You also have to wonder how smart the Joe Flacco contract was when you see the players they lost in free agency this year. Guys like Michael Oher a first round pick for them and their starting right tackle, Or Arthur Jones who played a key role on that defense. The team also lost inside backer Jameel McClain who was supposed to be one of the guys filling in the middle after Lewis retired.
Even though you have to question how much the Flacco deal is limiting them they were still able to resign left tackle Eugene Monroe and bring in veteran receiver Steve Smith. They were also able to resign Pitta who can really help them win some games. The Ravens have a good shot at getting back to the playoffs next year especially with all this veteran leadership.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Acquisitions
Mike Mitchell, Saftey
Cam Thomas, Defensive Tackle
Lance Moore, Reciever
Key Losses
Ziggy Hood, Defensive End
Emmanuel Sanders, Reciever
LaMarr Woodley, Linebacker
Jerricho Cotchery, Reciever
The Steelers had a really REALLY terrible start to the season in 2013. After starting 0-4 and going 2-6 in the first half of the season the back half was an uphill climb for the Steelers. Part of the issue was the absence of the running game after LeVeon Bell was injured in the pre season. Without a solid running game to lean on the team struggled.
The team has lost some key players so fat like Ziggy Hood, Emmanuel Sanders, and LaMarr Woodley. Hood was a first round draft pick back in 2009 and had become a key part to their defensive line. They also lost a key part of their defense in Woodley who has started at linebacker 2008 but has struggled to stay healthy. Sanders has been a good player for the Steelers but has always played second fiddle to Antonio Brown. The team will miss his production but they will need to find another target to take pressure off of Brown.
Even though the Steelers lost some guys in to free agency they’ve also made some nice pickups to replace some of their losses. Mike Mitchell had a good season last year and should be a good replacement for Ryan Clark at safety. Mitchell was thought to be one of the top safety options in free agency this year and pairing him with star safety Troy Polamalu is scary for other teams. I also love them bringing in veteran Lance Moore to make up for the loss of Sanders and Cotchery. Moore isn’t a star but he’s a solid veteran that can still contribute.
Cincinnati Bengals
Key Acquisitions
Jason Campbell, Quarterback
Marshall Newhouse, Offensive Tackle
Key Losses
Michael Johnson, Defensive End
Anthony Collins, Offensive Tackle
The Bengals were the best team in the division last year and the only team to make the playoffs. The team has had their fair share of playoff misfortune but they have been getting better and better each year. With young stars on offense like A.J. Green, Andy Dalton, and Giovani Bernard the future's bright for Cincinnati.
The team has been the least active out of the AFC North teams as they haven’t signed many people. The good thing on the other hand is that they haven’t lost many players either. However they’ve lost two key players in Michael Johnson and Anthony Collins who both started for the team. Luckily the team hasn’t lost many players and as a playoff team they don’t have as many needs so they can focus on replacing these two guys.
Good news is the team has brought in depth so far in free agency signing quarterback Jason Campbell and Tackle Marshall Newhouse in free agency. Campbell was a pretty good back up option in Cleveland last year and has experience as a starter in the NFL. Newhouse was a starter for the Packers for two years but last year was mainly a back up. Newhouse is a good tackle and he was the starting left tackle at TCU for Dalton. Even if he’s just depth for the team its still a good pick up.