Best Situation for a Quarterback in the AFC North?
The signing of Odell Beckham Jr. suddenly makes the Baltimore Ravens offense more compelling and now every offense in the AFC North looks strong headed into the 2023 season. With Joe Burrow clearly the best quarterback in the division currently, Lamar Jackson's status unresolved and Deshaun Watson and Kenny Pickett largely a projection at this point, let's remove them from the equation to compare the offenses in this division. Which AFC North offense is the best situation for a quarterback?
I posed this question to my co-host Bri on our podcast, Browns Bytes and neither one of us had a clear answer. Every team has a case to make. Maybe the draft will change things, but it's difficult to count on rookies. Still, project whatever you want. The Pittsburgh Steelers add Broderick Jones, tackle from Alabama for example. The Cincinnati Bengals bring in one of the talented tight ends or a running back and the Ravens bring in additional help on the offense. Until they play, they remain unknowns.
Here's a look at the contestants.
Bengals
Projected Starting Offensive Line: Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Jonah Williams? La'El Collins? Hakeem Adeniji?
Running Back: Joe Mixon
Wide Receivers: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Trenton Irwin
Tight Ends: Irv Smith, Tanner Hudson, Devin Asiasi
The Bengals right tackle situation is in flux. Jonah Williams wants out and La'El Collins suffered a torn ACL in December. Joe Mixon's status with the team is tenuous at best and they could replace him in the upcoming draft. They will probably also look to add more to their tight end position.
The Bengals still offer an embarrassment of riches in terms of wide receivers, easily the best in the division. Their offensive line was better at the end of last season and Brown represents an upgrade over Williams. The Bengals now have some questions in the running game, but is their overwhelming passing attack enough to make up for that potential weakness?
Browns
Projected Starting Offensive Line: Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin
Running Back: Nick Chubb
Wide Receivers: Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, David Bell
Tight Ends: David Njoku, Jordan Akins
The Browns perhaps represent the most well-rounded offense in the division. They don't have an obvious weakness. Cleveland has likely the best offensive line and still has the best running back.
The group of pass catchers they have assembled is certainly talented and could be an excellent ensemble. Cooper was great in his first year in Cleveland and along with DPJ and Njoku established a quality trio. Adding Moore gives them more speed that can operate in the slot or out wide. The Bengals have better receivers and the Ravens have a better tight end. Does having an All-Pro caliber receiving threat as a trump card make another offense more tantalizing?
Ravens
Projected Starting Offensive Line: Ronnie Stanley, Ben Cleveland?, Tyler Linderbaum, Kevin Zeitler, Morgan Moses
Running Back: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill
Wide Receivers: Odell Beckham Jr., Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay
Tight Ends: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely
Despite their inability to do much this offseason as they are hamstring by negotiations with Lamar Jackson and the franchise tag currently on their salary cap, the Ravens have a pretty strong offense.
If Ben Cleveland is indeed the plan for the Ravens at left guard, they have their starting five. The other four spots are in good hands.
J.K. Dobbins is talented but has been limited in his opportunities to prove it. It helps to have Gus Edwards as that powerful change-up, but the Ravens might still want to keep adding to that group.
Not only does Odell Beckham Jr. make the Ravens receivers better, it puts Nelson Agholor in a more appropriate role. Rashod Bateman is another talented player that needs to stay healthy and Devin Duvernay has been a multi-faceted weapon in their offense.
The Ravens boast the strongest tight end group in the division. Mark Andrews is the best in the division and one of the best in the league. They also found a nice complement to him in Isaiah Likely.
The Ravens boast a strong group, but an all too common refrain for key players which now includes Beckham is 'if they can stay healthy'. Are they simply a good offense on paper or will it sustain?
Steelers
Projected Starting Offensive Line: Dan Moore, Isaac Seumalo, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chukwuma Okorafor
Running Back: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren
Wide Receivers: Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Gunner Olszewski
Tight Ends: Pat Freuermuth, Connor Heyward
The Steelers made a huge addition to their offensive line with Isaac Seumalo. They've been a team focused on maximizing their interior and he now becomes of the best of the group. The tackle position remains a question mark and could be a priority in the NFL Draft.
The efforts they make their could allow Najee Harris to have his best season. Harris to this point is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. Improved play up front and more balance could help.
The Steelers have a pair of talented receivers in Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. They are likely in the market to keep adding and specifically might be seeking help in the slot. Still, Pickens had a highlight reel of spectacular catches as a rookie and Johnson has been a dynamic playmaker.
Pat Freuermuth is quickly establishing himself as one of the better tight ends in the league, which really opens up their offense. He's been outstanding catching passes in traffic down the middle of the field. Heyward has proven to be a valuable utility player, able to function as a lead blocker and provide a timely reception.
The Steelers still have work to do, but they have a stronger argument than some might think. So much of one's perception of the Steelers on offense comes down to an evaluation of their quarterback play. If Joe Burrow was on the Steelers, would they have a Super Bowl caliber offense?
Whether you want to use Burrow or another one of the top quarterbacks in the league, which team in the AFC North offers the best situation on offense?
