AFC North 2021 offseason needs Browns Steelers hope to land J.J. Watt Bengals look to protect Joe Burrow
AFC North 2021 offseason needs Browns Steelers hope to land J.J. Watt Bengals look to protect Joe Burrow
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The AFC North was quite po sibly the NFL's most competitive division in 2020. Three of the AFC's seven playoff teams came from the North, with the defeating the division champion in the wild-card round, 48-37. The Browns then took the defending Super Bowl champions to the brink before falling just short of an historic upset.The , led by reigning MVP , mirrored the Browns' wild-card succe s with their upset of the . Also like Cleveland, Baltimore was unable to sustain that succe s in the divisional round, losing to Buffalo in a hard-fought defensive slugfest. And though they did not make the playoffs, the showed promise with rookie quarterback under center.Given what transpired last year, the AFC North once again promises to be one of the league's more competitive division races in 2021. While it sounds obvious, the team that does the best job filling its positional needs this offseason will have a significant edge when it comes to capturing the division. Without further ado, let's take a look at each AFC North team's needs entering free agency and the upcoming draft, starting with last year's division champion. Pittsburgh SteelersNeeds: C, LT, Nicolas Beaudin Men Jersey RB, OLB, CB, WRThe Steelers put quite a few eggs in last year's basket, only to see the basket spill during the final several weeks of the season. With their backs against the wall with the salary cap, Pittsburgh will have to significantly adjust contract in order to do anything as far as free agency is concerned. Pittsburgh will have to find a replacement for the recently retired Maurkice Pouncey. It will also have to find a replacement for , who will enter free agency next month. The Steelers may try to keep either or , but don't expect both players to be back in Pittsburgh next season. The Steelers will also be in the market for help at cornerback, with and set to enter free agency. Another name to keep an eye on is , Pittsburgh's starting left tackle since 2015. Villanueva is set to become a free agent. is also set to become a free agent, but he could be a player the Steelers decide to invest in moving forward.If Villanueva leaves, expect either Feiler or to replace him at left tackle, with fellow tackle moving into the starting lineup. would also move up into the starting lineup following an impre sive rookie campaign. Expect the Steelers to invest more into this group via the draft. The same can be said of the running back, receiver, and outside linebacker positions. Steelers fans should also keep an eye on Dominik Kubalik Jersey J.J. Watt, who may decide to team up with brothers T.J. and in Pittsburgh.Mason Rudolph will be under center in the event Roethlisberger is not back in 2021. If this scenario plays out, Rudolph will get one year to show the Steelers that he can be Big Ben's longterm succe sor. Estimated current cap space (top 51): $-14.24 million (27th in NFL)CBS draft projections: RB (Ryan Wilson), OL Teven Jenkins (Chris Trapa so and Josh Edwards)Free agents to watch: WR , C , LT , CB Baltimore RavensNeeds: EDGE, C, WR, G, FS, TE, CBBaltimore struck gold with its second-round selection of running back J.K. Dobbins, who averaged a whopping six yards per carry last season. The Ravens did not fare as well with rookie receivers and , as Lamar Jackson continued to rely heavily on tight end and receiver . Baltimore will also look to strengthen its offensive line after last year's unit struggled to provide consistent protection for Jackson. And with , , and Yannick Ngakoue slated to become free agents, the Ravens will have to re-stock their cupboard with adequate pa s rushers in 2021.Look for the Ravens to spend their top draft picks on the defensive back, receiver and edge rusher positions. The Ravens should still consider bringing in a veteran wide out who can bring some experience and leadership inside Baltimore's receivers room. One option could be Kendrick Bourne, who played an integral role on the 49ers' NFC title run in 2019. Another free agent that would make sense is center , a six-year veteran who won two Super Bowls with the . The Ravens may also target free safety , who was just selected to his first Pro Bowl after recording five interceptions for the . Estimated current cap space (top 51): $29.95 million (11th in the NFL)CBS draft projections:DB Richie Grant (Ryan Wilson), WR Terrance Marshall Jr. (Chris Trapa so), LB Joseph O sai (Josh Edwards)Free agents to watch: C David Andrews, FS Justin Simmons, G , WR , TE Cleveland BrownsNeeds: S, LB, WR, CB, DEThe Browns' defense stepped up in the red zone in their divisional round playoff lo s to the . And while that game showed their potential, the Browns' defense will need some reinforcements if they are going to complement their offense on a more consistent basis next season. The Browns' offense was led by the two-headed monster of running backs and . They were also the beneficiary of a nice bounce-back season from quarterback . Cleveland will likely add to its receiving corps this offseason, regardle s of what status on the team is in 2021.A name Browns fans are certainly monitoring is J.J. Watt, who is reportedly . The addition of Watt would make free agent defensive end Oliver Vernon expendable. Watt would also complement fellow defensive end , who earned his first All-Pro selection last season. If they lose in free agency, the Browns could target strong safety, a starter for four of his eight seasons in Cincinnati. If departs in free agency, second-year free safety may be asked to step into the starting lineup. Estimated current cap space (top 51): $29.74 million (10th in the NFL)CBS draft projections:DL Levi Onwuzurike (Ryan Wilson), LB Azeez Ojulari (Chris Trapa so), DL Jaelan Phillips (Josh Edwards)Free agents to watch: DE J.J Watt, SS Shawn Williams, CB , DT , LB Cincinnati BengalsNeeds: OT, EDGE rusher, G, DT, CBWith a very healthy amount of cap space, the Bengals are prepared to spend in free agency for a second consecutive year. Cincinnati's current Jan Rutta Men Jersey roster includes several promising players in Burrow, receivers and , running back , free safety III, and defensive end. The Bengals may decide to part with perennial Pro Bowl defensive tackle , who struggled with a shoulder injury last season.Offensive line is the Bengals' primary target this offseason. and are two guards the Bengals may pursue in free agency. and would be significant upgrades at left tackle. The Bengals have a slew of options at defensive end. That list includes , Derek Wolfe and . Yannick Ngakoue and would also be options if the Bengals want to spend big at that position. Cornerbacks , Mike Hilton and could be options in free agency. The Bengals should get Burrow a veteran receiver as well as a new weapon at tight end. While both positions will likely be addre sed during the draft, veteran wide outs and would be good fits inside the Bengals' offense. Tight end , who played well in a reserve role in Seattle, would be a good addition to Cincinnati's pa sing attack.Estimated current cap space (top 51): $45.6 million (5th in the NFL)CBS draft projections:TE Kyle Pitts (Ryan Wilson), OL Penei Sewell (Chris Trapa so and Josh Edwards)Top free agents to watch: G Joe Thuney, LT Cam Robinson,DE Benson Mayowa, Derek Wolfe, CB Ronald Darby, TE Jacob Hollister
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