The AFC North was a top-heavy division during the 2019 NFL season. The Baltimore Ravens were the best regular-season team in the AFC, and the other three teams really struggled.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns hope with just a few chances they could be playoff contenders, while the Cincinnati Bengals look to be in a bit of a rebuild.
Each team is attacking the offseason a little differently, but all teams need to have success to not fall behind. Let's breakdown one bold prediction for each team this offseason.
Bengals draft two quarterbacks
The Cincinnati Bengals' two quarterbacks during the 2019 season were Ryan Finley and Andy Dalton. When Finley got his few starts, he proved why he doesn't have a future with the AFC North team.
The team is expected to select Joe Burrow with the first overall pick, but I don't think that will be the end of it. This situation reminds me a bit of when the Redskins drafted RG3 and in the same draft took Kirk Cousins.
Who the team drafts late is still up in the air, but the team is going to select someone that they can try to develop along with Burrow, just in case something happens to the LSU standout.
Steelers use their second-round pick on a quarterback
The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a first-round draft pick, but they will be using their second-round pick on Big Ben's replacement. Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges both proved during the 2019 season that they aren't the future of the AFC North club.
Big Ben has said he wants to continue playing, but at some point the team needs to have a backup plan if he goes down with with an injury.
One player that could make a lot of sense is former Utah State standout, Bryce Love.
Browns trade OBJ, draft wide receiver in first round
Odell Beckham Jr. has been nothing but a distraction since coming to the Browns, and this offseason they are going to get rid of him.
What they get back might not be as much as some think, but it's going to be a decent haul. Without OBJ the team needs an impact receiver and this 2020 draft class is loaded with them.
They are going to find a hard worker that isn't a distraction, and he will be a standout as a rookie. The Browns are going to take a big step forward this season and a big reason is because of their new receiver.
Ravens sign Marcus Mariota
The Ravens still have Griffin under contract but they release him with for a very small penalty. With the team changing the offense to fit Lamar Jackson the team needs a running quarterback as a backup.
Marcus Mariota is a better thrower than Griffin and has the legs to run the same offense as Jackson. Look for the team to sign him to a one- or two-year deal, and even if Jackson goes down with injury, the team's offense should still be in good shape.
A new system is exactly what Mariota needs.
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