AFC North 2022 offseason needs Bengals m
"If we can win this division, we can win it all." made the following the ' 41-17 rout of the Marc-Edouard Vlasic Jerseyin Week 7 of the 2021 season. Cincinnati's young quarterback was right, as the Bengals claimed the AFC North division with a 10-7 record. The Bengals finished just ahead of the 9-7-1 , who clinched the AFC's final wild card berth. The , who were a field goal away from being the division's top team in Week 15, finished with an 8-9 record. The Ravens stumbled to an 8-9 finish after an 8-3 start and finished in last. Pittsburgh was quickly ousted by the in the wild card round. The Bengals, meanwhile, defeated Las Vegas, Tenne see and Kansas City to reach Super Bowl LVI. Against the , Cincinnati held a 20-16 lead in the final minutes, before falling victim to the Matthew Stafford-Cooper Kupp connection and the Rams' relentle s pa s rush.The Bengals are the proverbial king of the jungle, but they'll have to make some upgrades this offseason in order to stay there. The division's other three teams will also look to upgrade their rosters in order to keep pace with the defending AFC champions. Here's a look at each AFC North's biggest team needs with free agency kicking off next month.Team needs: OT, LB, EDGE, DTBaltimore's inability to protect their quarterback and apply pre sure on others were two of their biggest i sues in 2021. The Ravens' O-line, which played all but one game without , finished 21st in Pro Football Focus' . Former Pro Bowler struggled in his first and likely only season in Baltimore. was solid at right tackle, but the Ravens will surely add to this position during free agency and during the draft.The Ravens may be preparing for an overhaul onJoel Ward Jersey their defensive line, as and are entering free agency. Baltimore will surely be in the market for a pa s-rush specialist when free agency begins. Several options in free agency may include , , Dante Fowler Jr., , , , and , among others.Team needs: CB, C, OG, OT, LBAnyone who watched the Super Bowl saw the Bengals' two biggest weakne ses. Expect the Bengals to addre s their offensive line in both free agency as well as during the NFL Draft. Speaking of the draft, our four CBS Sports NFL Draft expertsMartin Jones Jersey have Cincinnati selecting either a lineman or a cornerback with the 31st overall pick. Upcoming free agents on the offensive line include , , and , among others. Cornerbacks expecting to reach free agency include , , , , , and . Defensive line is another area Bengals fans should be keeping an eye on. , who sustained a season-ending injury against Las Vegas in the wild card round, is entering free agency. So is , who played exceptionally well in place of Ogunjobi. In a perfect world, the Bengals would ink both players to new deals, and while that could certainly happen, the Bengals should try to at least sign one of their free agents on a D-line that finished second in the NFL against the run last season.Team needs: WR, DT, LB, C, EDGEWith , the Browns need to be proactive as it relates to adding to their receiving corps. Receivers who are slated to hit the market include , , , , , , , Justin Braun Jersey, , and . Don't be surprised if the Browns spent the 13th overall pick on a receiver, as all four of our draft experts currently have Cleveland selecting Arkansas wideout Treylon Burks with the pick. was a stud in his rookie season, but the Browns need to supply him with a formidable ally at linebacker. , , , , and are several free agent options at inside linebacker.Team needs: QB, OT, OG, CB, DTWe recently on the Steelers' current game plan as it relates to their quarterback situation. Regardle s of who the Steelers' quarterback is, they need to apply him with a strong offensive line and a formidable receiving corps. DJ Chark would be a nice complement to and . Pittsburgh will likely draft a receiver as well as multiple offensive linemen. The Steelers will likely also use free agency to add to their offensive line.Larry Ogunjobi is one of several free agents the Steelers may pursue to help bolster a defensive line that finished last in the NFL against the run in 2021. Pittsburgh will also be in the market for a Tommy Wingels Jerseycornerback and a strong safety if Joe Haden and sign with new teams in free agency. J.C. Jackson would be a solid addition in the event that Haden signs elsewhere. If Edmunds is not retained, and are the top strong safeties expected to hit free agency.
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