The NFL season has ended with the Los Angeles Rams on top of the food chain. It’s now time for executives and front offices to get into the trenches and make their teams better. The offseason is where championships are won and there are plenty of massively talented NFL free agents who can make teams better overnight. In this Tailgater Magazine series, we’ll be breaking down the needs of every team in the league. Let’s take a look at the AFC North team needs.
Cincinnati Bengals
Team Needs: OL, CB, TE
If you watched any Bengals playoff game or just the Super Bowl, it’s not rocket science to see that the Bengals need an improved offensive line ASAP. QB Joe Burrow was the third-most sacked NFL QB in history last season, and they allowed him to be sacked nine times in one playoff game and seven times in the Super Bowl. Signing OT Riley Reiff should be a priority but adding through the draft and making a free agent splash is critical. After that, grabbing a cornerback to replace Eli Apple should be key for Cincy as they must bolster their secondary as the wave of AFC quarterbacks becomes more impressive each season.
Baltimore Ravens
Team Needs: DL, Edge, CB, WR
The Ravens have plenty of team needs and a small amount of money to spend in free agency. They dealt with what felt like a million injuries to their offense in 2021, so it feels unfair to say that they need to revamp there. What they should be more concerned about is the aging defense where defensive ends Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe, the two anchors of their D-line, are entering their 15th and 10th season respectively. The Ravens have the 14th overall pick and could spend that on someone like LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr. or make a splash with a young EDGE rusher or interior lineman.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Team Needs: QB, OL, DL
The first thing the Steelers must address is their quarterback situation. Ben Roethlisberger is no longer a Steeler and there will be a new era in Steel City. The QB free agent class isn’t fantastic – it’s led by Jameis Winston and Teddy Bridgewater. I’m not sure the Steelers are going to be willing to dismantle their stacked defense for Aaron Rodgers. This QB draft class is weak, but it feels likely that they will go after a guy like Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, or Sam Howell. The Steelers draft extremely well so I have confidence in them to do their due diligence. After that, upgrading the offensive line and adding depth on defense to make them younger on the line will be a priority.
Cleveland Browns
Team Needs: DL, LB, WR
It appears that the Browns are going to give QB Baker Mayfield one last shot and he will have to do it without the stacked receiver core that he once had. Odell Beckham Jr. was traded to the Rams mid-season last year and Jarvis Landry could be on his way out as well. The Browns will try to recruit another big-name WR free agent to come to Cleveland – perhaps Allen Robinson could fill the void. The Browns have around $23 million in salary cap space to spend and they own the 13th overall pick. Their draft decision largely weighs on what happens with DE Jadeveon Clowney in free agency. Can the team re-sign him or will he leave? If he walks, another headache is created for this team who will then need to focus most of their attention on the defensive line and a new EDGE rusher.