Baltimore Ravens
Key Acquisitions: DE Calais Campbell (trade), DT Derek Wolfe DE Jihad Ward (re-signed), LB Patrick Queen (Drafted), WR Devin Duvernay (Drafted)
Key Departures: TE Hayden Hurst (trade), DT Chris Wormley, DT Michael Pierce, LB Patrick Onwuasor, LB Pernell McPhee, CB Brandon Carr, OG Marshal Yanda,
The Ravens had an incredible regular season, which saw quarterback Lamar Jackson lead the team to a 14-2 record and received the MVP award. But in the postseason the Ravens made a disappointing appearance losing to the Tennessee Titans. On offense, the Ravens desperately need another playmaking linebacker and a wide receiver.
The Ravens were aggressive on the defense side by acquiring Campbell. Campbell has been one of the best edge rushers throughout the past decade. He can help guide the defense with the youth movement of the defense. They also retained Matt Judon giving them one of the best pass-rushing duos in the AFC North. In the draft, they drafted LB Patrick Queen from LSU who was named the National Championship MVP against Clemson.
Turning to the offense, Baltimore does not have a true No. 1 wide receiver on their roster. With a deep WR class, the Ravens selected Devin Duvernay from Texas. Last season Duvernay had 106 receptions and 1,386 receiving yards. Duvernay ranked fifth-most in the country in receiving yards. Baltimore throws the ball to their tight ends more than any other team. With Duvernay he provides Jackson with a true outside threat.
Cincinnati Bengals
Key Acquisitions: CB Mackenzie Alexander, S Vonn Bell, DT D.J. Reader, QB Joe Burrow (Draft), WR Tee Higgins (Draft), CB Trae Waynes
Key Departures: OG John Miller, DT Andrew Billings, S Clayton Fejedelem, TE Tyler Eifert, CB Dre Kirkpatrick
An injury-plagued and abysmal season led the Bengals to number one overall pick. Shoring up the defense was the Bengal’s main focus this offseason. Vonn Bell is a safety who plays an aggressive style and is great in the run game. He also makes a big impact of rushing the passer from the safety position, but he is average in pass coverage.
In pass coverage, Cincinnati signed Alexander and Waynes from the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings had one of the best secondary’s of the 2019 season. Alexander has developed into one of the nickel cornerbacks and Waynes has talent that hasn’t been reached yet. Defensive Tackle Reader is a monster at stopping the run. With the style of football the AFC North plays in the winter months, Reader is a critical pick
The team franchised tagged Green to ensure number one overall pick Joe Burrow had a legit top wide receiver to throw to. The Bengals selected WR Tee Higgins from Clemson with the first pick in the second round. Higgins is in the mold of AJ Green as a long above the rim style receiver and wins on jump balls at the high point. Bengals look to mirror the success of selecting Green and QB Andy Dalton in the same draft.
Cleveland Browns
Key Acquisitions: S Karl Joseph, Jedrick Willis (Draft) TE Austin Hooper, OT Jack Conklin, DE Adrian Clayborn, QB Case Keenum, DT Andrew Billings,
Key Departures: TE Demetrius Harris, LB Christian Kirksey, LB Joe Schobert, S Eric Murray, S Damarious Randall, WR Rashard Higgins
The Browns spent a lot of money this offseason. After a hyped offseason last year, the Browns have taken the route of low-key veterans. The one signing that seems puzzling is Austin Hooper signing because his skill set is similar to David Njoku. The former first-round pick has all the makings of a top-flight tight end. The addition provides a two tight set similar to the New England Patriots when they had Gronk and Aaron Hernandez. But the Browns have two of the best wide receivers in the league to add the two set scheme.
Jack Conklin is an upgrade at right tackle and with the addition of Alabama’s OT Jedrick Wills, the Browns should have one of the better offensive lines in the AFC. The other signings are solid rotational pieces. Combined with the high-end signings of last year the Browns finally seem to have a sensible plan to return to the playoffs.
The biggest offseason move that didn’t happen is trading Odell Beckham. There have been rumors that OBJ would be traded but thus far that is not the case. OBJ has had offseason core muscle surgery and has stated that he expects 2020 to be his best season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Acquisitions: TE Eric Ebron, DT Chris Wormley (trade), FB Derek Watt, OG Stefen Wisniewski
Key Departures: S Mark Barron, OL B.J. Finney TE Nick Vannett, DT Javon Hargrave, CB Artie Burns
The Steelers didn’t have much turnover this offseason. Big Ben returning at QB will be their biggest acquisitions from last year. The biggest departure is losing defensive tackle, Javon Hargrave. The Steelers offset the loss by adding Chris Wormley. Wormely comes over from the Baltimore Ravens where he had 33 tackles. He was great at clogging running runs and allowing linebackers to roam free.
On the offensive side, Eric Ebron will provide Ben Roethlisberger with a huge red-zone target. While the Lions former first-round pick had a disappointing run in Detroit he had a Pro-Bowl season in Indy with 13 TDs two years ago. Keeping Dupree was one of the Steeler’s biggest priorities this offseason. He can set the edge and is one of the best pass rushers in the league.
The Steelers traded their first-round pick to the Dolphins for Minkah Fitzpark which worked out well for both teams. In the draft, they added to their receiving core with Chase Claypool from Notre Dame. Claypool was Notre Dame’s leading receiver, with 66 catches for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns. His big body frame and physical tools will add a different element to the offense with JuJu Smith-Schuster being a deep threat.
