Ranking AFC North Position Groups: Offense

With the Baltimore Ravens making their big offseason splashes and the draft completed, it's a good opportunity to see how the AFC North offenses stack up, ranking their position groups.

With the re-signing of Lamar Jackson by the Baltimore Ravens headlining the moves in the division this offseason, the AFC North looks like it's going to be a blood bath in 2023. Teams could still make moves but with most of free agency done and the draft completed, it's time to see how these teams stack up, starting with the offense.

With everyone chasing the Cincinnati Bengals, the rest of the division is making big moves on offense. In addition to retaining Jackson, the Ravens are making a dramatic change on offense headed by new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. More speed and receiver talent to force opponents to defend a larger portion of the field.

The Cleveland Browns are shaping theirs to maximize Deshaun Watson. After acquiring Amari Cooper last year, the Browns have added three more receivers including Elijah Moore, acquired in a trade with the New York Jets.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are building around second year quarterback Kenny Pickett, headlined by investing in their offensive line. They added a premium guard in Isaac Seumalo and drafted Broderick Jones with the 14th pick of this year's draft.

So, how do these groups stack up?

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Quarterbacks

1. Cincinnati Bengals

It's impossible to deny Joe Burrow currently. He's good enough that the questions aren't about his ability but whether the team around him is capable of winning the Super Bowl.

1. Will the Bengals be able to protect Burrow, who has been sacked 154 times in his 49 career games?

The Bengals have once again endeavored to improve the offensive front. It remains to be seen if adding Orlando Brown and moving Jonah Williams to the right side will reduce the number of hits Burrow takes, but the Bengals aren't sitting still.

2. Will the Bengals organization be willing or able to spend enough to keep their team competitive enough to win the Super Bowl?

The staying power Bengals will be measured in how they deal with extensions for Burrow and wide receiver Tee Higgins. If they find a way to keep both, the Super Bowl window is wide open for the rest of the decade. In the event they move on from Higgins, they need to get a meaningful return as opposed to just letting him walk like they did with safety Jessie Bates III.

2. Baltimore Ravens

The gap between Burrow and the rest of the division is pretty significant at the moment. Burrow had the Bengals in the AFC Championship last year and the Super Bowl the year before. The rest of the division's quarterbacks have a won a combined two playoff games.

Lamar Jackson has the capability to play better than he has these last two seasons, both of which ended in injury. A new offense with more receivers could open up Jackson's game. Not only could it allow him to be a much better passer, but it should open up running lanes when he wants to scramble, picking up easy yards that extend drives as opposed to relying so heavily on designed runs to move the ball.

3. Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson has the capability to play at an incredibly high level, but between the layoff and the six games he played in 2023, it's difficult to justify ranking him higher. It just shouldn't surprise anyone if Watson, with the offense the Browns have assembled around him, doesn't bounce back this year and look far more like the version the league saw earlier in his career, but he still has to do it.

The Browns have made a number of moves to upgrade the offense and give him more weapons. There is significant pressure on Watson to live up to the contract as well the number of draft picks the Browns sent to the Houston Texans in order to acquire him.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kenny Pickett had a number of moments that were reminiscent of Tim Tebow last year. The Steelers didn't score a many points but he came through in the clutch. He improved over the course of the season and the experience he gained in those tight games will benefit him as he tries to make a jump in year two.

The good news for Pickett is the Steelers have made a number of productive moves to improve the situation around him.

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Running Backs

1. Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb continues to be an elite back. His 5.0 yard average rushing ties a career low as the Browns were more predictable this past season and lacked the complementary threat they've had in recent years. Currently, that is still a weakness and unless they address the situation, an injury to Chubb could limit their offense. At the moment, second year back Jerome Ford stands to be the next man up in the Browns backfield. They signed Hassan Hall as an undrafted free agent, who could be a decent spread back.

The change to the Browns offense, utilizing more receivers to spread out the defense could lead to a career year for Chubb and save him some carries over the course of the year. Some of those carries should be replaced with receptions this season, but the Browns have postseason aspirations and they don't want Chubb to be worn down when they get there.

2. Cincinnati Bengals

There are off field and contract questions with Joe Mixon, but the Bengals seem content to keep him even if there might be an adjustment to his contract to come. It's easy to forget about Mixon with Burrow and the receiving threats on that offense.

His statistics were relatively pedestrian this past year, but when the needed him in the playoffs to beat the highly favored Buffalo Bills on the road, Mixon came through with 105 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. It was the difference in the game and something the Bills could neither defend nor replicate. Mixon is a great complement to the Bengals passing game.

The selection of Chase Brown could give them spark plug as a runner. Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans are currently their best options to pass protect. Samaje Perine left big shoes to fill.

3. Baltimore Ravens

Like with so many things on the Ravens offense, the caveat of 'if they can stay healthy' is attached. The combination of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards offer plenty of talent, but they have dealt with injuries over the past two seasons.

Especially if the Ravens plan to spread out their offense more, Dobbins could be a tremendous slasher while Edwards could thrive against lighter boxes. They still have the ability to get into jumbo sets with Patrick Ricard leading the way and run it down the opponent's throat. The Ravens backfield isn't far behind the Bengals and could surpass them this season.

It's worth keeping an eye on undrafted free agent Keaton Mitchell to see if he can beat out Justice Hill and become an extra threat with speed.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have made significant investment into the offensive line and added another tight end that could help their running game. Combined with what the Steelers hope is improved quarterback play, Najee Harris could be in for the best season of his career. But with a 3.9 career rushing average, the former first round pick is going to have to prove it.

His receiving contributions add to his value, but he's been a work horse that doesn't warrant the numbers of touches he's getting to this point, regardless of who is at fault.

Jaylen Warren could be in line to see an uptick in the amount of touches he gets this season. He was productive for the Steelers last year and they need someone to take hold of that second spot.

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Wide Receivers

1. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have arguably the best set of wide receivers in the league between Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. They've even added to their depth in the draft with Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas. The Bengals are good now and have hopes that they can maintain it into the future.

Questions will continue to be asked about the future of Tee Higgins. For now, the Bengals are the envy of the league at receiver with their size and speed. Look no further than the Browns and Steelers, who have been actively trying to add corners that can defend them. The Steelers drafted a pair of big bodied press corners while the Browns, the team that has had the most success defending the Bengals, drafted yet another corner to give themselves more options in how to defend them.

2. Cleveland Browns

There isn't much separation between the Browns and Steelers, especially at the top. Both teams have two good options and the Steelers might be better there, but the Browns have better depth and more motivated to more production from more threats to maximize Deshaun Watson.

Amari Cooper was great for the Browns in his first season and gave them a true first option. Donovan Peoples-Jones has gotten better every year he was in the right role with Cooper setting the table.

The Browns have David Bell entering year two. He didn't get much production as a rookie, but he saw an increase in opportunities at the end of Jacoby Brissett's run.

Elijah Moore comes over from the New York Jets and gives the Browns something they desperately sought with his speed and versatility. They added Cedric Tillman in the third round of the draft and he might find some early opportunities to contribute. Marquise Goodwin could be at the bottom of the roster and offers them the ability to stretch the field vertically.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Diontae Johnson is a dynamic playmaker. George Pickens flashed greatness as a rookie and the pair may simply be waiting for Kenny Pickett to maximize their production.

Allen Robinson is a veteran that was effectively re-homed by the Los Angeles Rams this offseason. This could be the right situation for him to contribute because he will effectively be their fourth option behind the two receivers and their talented tight end Pat Freuermuth. The Steelers aren't trying to find the form Robinson showed earlier in his career, something his previous two stops hoped to achieve. The Steelers just need him to be an effective cog in their offense, which is the right approach. He now has a chance to overperform and be a pleasant surprise.

After that, the Steelers have several offensive weapons that have a niche, but not really a home. Gunner Olszewski had more carries than receptions last year. Calvin Austin III is an undersized speedster. They still have players like Cody White, Dez Fitzpatrick and they took a flyer on former second round pick Anthony Miller.

If none of those options show enough, the Steelers can lean into their tight ends and continue to utilize Najee Harris in the passing game.

4. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have added a ton of options this offseason that could enable Lamar Jackson to become a prolific passer. There's a ton of upside but none of it is proven in Baltimore.

Odell Beckham Jr. has tremendous talent but he's coming off two ACL surgeries in the same knee. Rashod Bateman has flashed how good he can be, but he was hurt last year and has been openly frustrated since arriving in Baltimore. The Ravens first round pick Zay Flowers could thrive as a third or fourth option in his rookie season so long as the other pieces function as intended. Devin Duvernay and Nelson Agholor give them depth and additional options to attack opposing defenses.

There's a ton to work with here along with their superstar tight end Mark Andrews. It could be outstanding, but with three new receivers being added this offseason along with a major change offensively, it's going to take some time to get everything going. The other three teams know who they are and what they are doing, so they have a slight advantage over the Ravens here.

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Tight Ends

1. Baltimore Ravens

Mark Andrews would be enough for the Ravens to land the top spot, but they may have found a great complement in Isaiah Likely. Andrews is a do-it-all tight end that can line up all over the place and dominate as a receiving threat. Likely is an F who can operate in the slot or as a wing.

Those two could be critical in the Ravens and Lamar Jackson making a smooth transition into Monken's offense, but the sheer number of threats the Ravens have could be a problem for defenses this year.

Although he didn't play much as a rookie, the Ravens also have Charlie Kolar in reserve that could be a valuable role player in addition to depth.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pat Freuermuth is quickly establishing himself as one of the better tight ends in the league and has made a name for himself catching contested passes down the field. Entering his third year, he may already be the Steelers most consistent receiving threat and could be in line for an even larger share of targets.

The Steelers also have Connor Heyward, who is a useful utility player that can function in a number of roles. While his production is nothing special, he just has a knack for making a key play in critical situations that extends drives.

They also added Darnell Washington out of Georgia in the draft. He has the capability to bolster their rushing offense, enabling the Steelers to run true double tight end sets that allow the Steelers to pound opponents. If that's all he does, it could provide  a valuable boost.

They still have Zach Gentry in case Washington isn't ready to contribute as a rookie. He has not distinguished himself to this point, but he's a big body that can line up inline.

3. Cleveland Browns

David Njoku is coming off the best season of his career. A high ankle sprain is the only reason he wasn't able to surpass a number of career highs. He keeps improving as a receiver and thrives as an inline blocker. I

Behind him is Jordan Akins, a useful space tight end that has been a solid receiving outlet. They still have Harrison Bryant, who has flashed but hasn't really progressed beyond a tight end three. If Njoku were to get hurt, the Browns have Zaire Mitchell-Paden, carried over from last year's practice squad, but they could simply use a sixth offensive lineman when they want to run the ball or just spread teams out even more.

They used tackle James Hudson III as a jumbo package fullback. Rookie Dawand Jones could be the biggest tight end in NFL history.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals signed Irv Smith to replace Hayden Hurst, now a member of the Carolina Panthers. They still have Drew Sample, but he has been ordinary to this point. Devin Asiasi, a player they added from last year in free agency, projects to be their third option, but he struggled in his first year with the Bengals.

It's just not a position that the Bengals have prioritized for this season and production that comes from that spot will be as a result of glomming onto Burrow.

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Offensive Line

1. Cleveland Browns

Despite a lackluster second half to last season, the Browns still boast the division's strongest offensive line. They retained Ethan Pocic, a pleasant surprise in 2022, so they will have the same starting five entering this season. Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin all have substantial talent up front.

The Browns also added Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler in the draft to further bolster their offensive line depth. The two Ohio State Buckeyes join James Hudson III who has game experience at tackle and Michael Dunn, who has contributed at both guard and center.

2. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have two good tackles in Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses. They have a talented young center in Tyler Linderbaum and have gotten rock solid play from Kevin Zeitler. 

The Ravens do have a question to answer at left guard, but have a number of big bodies to work through that could not only find them the answer to start but give them some capable depth.

Patrick Mekari as their swing tackle is a huge advantage. He can step in and play at a pretty high level if they have an injury, but they've also used him as a jumbo tight end.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have a better offensive line than the Steelers if only slightly. It relies on Jonah Williams staying and being a functional right tackle. Orlando Brown steps in at left tackle which should benefit Burrow substantially. The interior is decent and Cordell Volson could see major improvement entering his second season.

In terms of their depth, they need Jackson Carman to improve or they are an injury away from once again needing to rely on Hakeem Adeniji, who has struggled in that role. The signing of Cody Ford is an attempt at a big bodied reclamation project. The Bengals offensive line situation is better than it was, but it's still not great.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers find themselves in last for the moment. They have made significant efforts to improve their offensive line and have more depth than the Bengals because of the way they've added players. Signing a number of flyer type contracts that raises their floor, they aren't super invested up front and have plenty of competition that could produce solid depth.

Isaac Seumalo and Broderick Jones completely change the left side of their line and the veteran could help in the rookie's transition to the NFL. The addition of Jones means that either Dan Moore or Chuks Okorafor will become a highly experienced swing tackle, an upgrade in itself. The Steelers are headed in a positive direction and could make big strides this year, but there's every possibility it could continue to be a bumpy ride at the tackle spots for at least one more year.