NFL Stuff’s happening.
Not a lot of stuff, but stuff nonetheless. The Ravens’ rookies and QB Lamar Jackson have reported to training camp. The rest of the team and NFL should follow suit this weekend, as camps will be fully open, with the annual Hall of Fame “game” set to be played in a little over two weeks (8/1). Rosters are now officially in flux and presumably eyeing any remaining free agent talents, which will multiply substantially over the next month due to attrition and roster cuts.
Any impact teams expect from their rookie class will become evident shortly, and each team that had a first-round pick expects starter-level play from them. The Steelers added sorely-needed offensive linemen in the first two rounds (OT Troy Fautanu and C Zach Frazier) and, given the history of their protection the last few years, will need immediate contributions from at least one if not both. The Ravens added CB Nate Wiggins, who may be forced into the #1 DB spot if aging CB Marlon Humphrey is unable to shake his “nagging things” soon. The Bengals picked up massive OT Amarius Mims, but given their OL depth, can afford to “redshirt” him for a season and allow some development. The Browns had no first round pick, but managed to nab DT Michael Hall Jr. in the second round, who provides needed interior depth.
In short, the AFC North had a typically-steady draft.
The rosters themselves are too big and unwieldy currently to offer any sort of final predictions, but most of the starters seem to be holdovers from last season. The lone exception(s) at QB reside in Pittsburgh, with the Steelers acquiring misused veteran Russell Wilson, recently of the Denver Broncos, and Justin Fields, who may or may not have been a bust in Chicago, depending on who you read or talk to. The Browns may regret not re-signing QB Joe Flacco, who authored an improbable playoff run after being salvaged in free agency, but given the amount of money they’re paying incumbent Deshaun Watson, bringing Flacco back may have seemed a bit like overkill. Bengals QB Joe Burrow is expected to return fully healthy after myriad injuries in 2023, and Ravens QB Jackson seems eager to put his woeful playoff performance(s) behind him.
All four teams used to be able to run the ball effectively. This season could be challenging for two of the four to repeat those efforts. Browns RB Nick Chubb is working diligently to return to the field in 2024, but given the catastrophic nature of his knee injury, few expect any serious contributions from him soon. As an indicator of the organization’s fatigue with his lack of consistency, the Bengals opted to trade starting RB Joe Mixon to the Texans for a seventh-round pick. He’ll be replaced by former Colts RB Zach Moss. The Steelers will again rely on the RB tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, with Warren perhaps finally surpassing Harris in overall touches, while the Ravens will place their faith in veteran bruising RB Derrick Henry, who’s hoping his long history of superlative play and repeated impacts doesn’t detract from his usual production.
The Ravens will have to depend on the continued emergence of WR Zay Flowers this season, last seen fumbling away a tying touchdown into the end zone in a demoralizing playoff loss to the Chiefs. The Bengals will enjoy having the Pro Bowl tandem of WRs Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase for at least one more season, as Higgins, who will play under the franchise tag this year, is expected to depart in free agency. The Steelers are still searching for a reliable second option at WR beyond holdover George Pickens, and are allegedly in trade talks for disgruntled 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk. Likewise, the Browns are hoping trade pickup WR Jerry Jeudy becomes the compliment to #1 WR Amari Cooper they’ve sorely needed.
The tight end room appears settled. The Ravens will bring back holdovers Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely in what’s expected to be one of the more productive areas of the offense. TE David Njoku returns to the Browns after his best season, while TE Pat Freiermuth will remain a solid interior receiving option for the Steelers. The Bengals will use the combination of holdover TE Drew Sample and free agent TE Mike Gesicki to block and unlock downfield opportunities for their superlative wideouts.
The Browns sport the division’s most-complete offensive line, returning all five starters from last year’s excellent group, while the Ravens will be fielding new starters at LG, RG and RT, with this group needing to jell quickly for the supposed playoff contender. As mentioned above, the Steelers may have to start rookies at C and RT, which is not an enviable position to be in with two QBs looking to reestablish themselves. The Bengals moved on from RT Jonah Williams to RT Trent Brown, but remain static otherwise.
Defensively, all four clubs appear solid and without many changes, although comparisons to last season’s excellent Browns and Ravens defenses may have to wait a bit as new personnel settle in. In an intriguing plot twist, the Ravens lost WLB Patrick Queen to the Steelers, where he will be expected to play an increased role. He will presumably be succeeded in Baltimore with second-year LB Trenton Simpson, who showed great promise in limited time last season. Former disappointing first-round Pittsburgh LB Devin Bush joins the Browns in another attempt to salvage his career, and the Bengals added former Ravens S Geno Stone, whose seven interceptions last season were by far a career benchmark.
Special teams have seen relatively little turnover since last season. All four teams return their placekickers, with the Steelers adding former Texans P Cameron Johnston.
So that’s that. We’ll drill down into position battles, etc., as camps progress. In the meantime, enjoy the heat and summer festivities.
Be well.
