Another NFL season has come and gone and now we are just left to count down the days until training camp starts in July. The Kansas City Chiefs will look to make NFL history next season as they will strive for their third straight Super Bowl championship. Each team will take a long, hard look at their roster over the next few months as they try to improve their standing and land a big-time free agent or strike it rich in the draft. Here are the 2024 AFC North Team Needs. All Cap Space amounts are per Over the Cap as of February 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Biggest Needs: QB, WR, S, CB
- Cap Space: -$6 million
The Steelers have a lot of work to do to get this roster back in shape to compete in a division that has a lot of .500 or better teams. The biggest question mark is at quarterback where they seem to be ready to move on from Kenny Pickett. They aren’t in a position to get a top guy in the draft, and outside of Kirk Cousins there isn’t a splashy name hitting free agency. Oh…and they are way over the cap. The Steelers will do what they do best, which is draft well and wait it out. A potential trade of George Pickens could be a good move for the team if it nets a high pick.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Biggest Needs: DT, OT, RB, TE
- Cap Space: $59.4 million
Joe Burrow is coming off a tough injury, but the Bengals are still in good shape as long as they can shore up some major defensive issues and figure out a couple good picks in the draft. The biggest need is the defensive line. There aren’t a ton of great guys in this upcoming free agency class so they will have to fill that need in the draft. Brock Bowers from Georgia is another interesting prospect who would give Burrow a legit TE1 to find in the red zone. Tee Higgins will be their biggest free agent this offseason and he is a likely candidate for the franchise tag.
Baltimore Ravens
- Biggest Needs: RB, WR, OL, EDGE
- Cap Space: $5.1 million
There isn’t a ton of money for the Ravens to spend this offseason but there are certainly a couple of needs that they need to address. Running back was a position that was constantly injured for this team, and I think going out and getting a tough runner like Josh Jacobs will solve a lot of problems for this team. Next up is finding a legit wide receiver alongside Zay Flowers. That’s a second or third round pick. The Ravens don’t have real money to spend and will likely use their first rounder on offensive line or edge rusher unless they opt for a cheaper option like Chase Young in free agency.
Cleveland Browns
- Biggest Needs: DT, WR, OL, QB
- Cap Space: -$19.6 million
So, things are a little awkward in Cleveland. Deshaun Watson will come back this year, but I think he may have benched for Joe Flacco during the year if both were put side-by-side. The Browns have a decision to make on Watson who got a ton of guaranteed money. But if he isn’t who they believe is the future of the franchise, a move sooner rather than later is smart. Nick Chubb had a devastating injury last season, finding a capable backup is a priority along with getting major reinforcements at the wide receiver position. Cleveland has serious financial issues so they will need to get creative.