Projecting AFC North starting rosters for 2022

Teams have been through the draft and the majority of free agency. So we should be able to see the fruits of their offseason labour.

There are still quality free agents available which will end up somewhere, and camp battles to be won. In this article series, we look at what each team’s starting line-up could look like for the season. Are these teams any better? Let’s find out. 

The AFC North is one of the strongest divisions in the NFL. The Steelers and Ravens have dominated the last decade. But with the Bengals now emerging, the tide seems to be changing.

All four teams have a legitimate chance to win, which has seen different champions in each of the last three years.

Yet, while it might seem one of the most competitive, there are a lot of questions that need answering in the division before the new season.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals surprised everyone by making it to the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl, in 2021. This year, they are poised as favourites for the AFC North and considered a genuine championship contender.

Joe Burrow took a huge leap in year two. Alongside the young receiver trio of Chase, Higgins and Boyd, and the ever-consistent Joe Mixon, the Bengals are one of the favourites in the AFC this season.

Losing C.J. Uzomah at tight end is the only real change, with Hayden Hurst coming in to replace him. Hurst, a former first-rounder, is more than capable of becoming a reliable target for Burrow to aim at, despite totalling less than 1,000 receiving yards combined over his last two seasons.

The biggest talking point coming into this offseason was how to improve up front. Joe Burrow was the most sacked quarterback in the league last year having been dropped 51.

But the Bengals have made some significant changes to make sure this won’t be the case in 2022. Alex Cappa and La’el Collins have come in making a big upgrade on the right side of the O-Line, while two-time Super Bowl winner Ted Karras will bring some much needed experience to Cincinnati at center.

On defense, Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard formed a decent partnership on the edge in 2021. The former is one of the most improving players of the past year, and is one of the best in generating QB pressure from across the NFL. Joseph Ossai will also push hard for a starting role at DE as he returns to fitness.

Linebacker is fairly predictable with Wilson and Pratt, while Davis-Gaither will be hoping to stay healthy in 2022. Elsewhere, Michigan’s Dax Hill is an excellent addition from the draft. He shines in man coverage and is extremely versatile across the secondary, which is something the Bengals value.

There have been question marks over Bates’ future this year with the star safety holding out for a big payday. But I fully expect Bates to sign a megadeal in the coming months to stay in Cincinnati beyond the end of his contract, as Vonn Bell did in 2021.

All-in-all, a very solid offseason for the Bengals roster.

Cleveland Browns

Despite many positions being locked up, the most notable uncertainty in this roster is at quarterback.

Deshaun Watson, acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans in March, is currently facing 24 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct or sexual assault. If the NFL acts like it should, Watson will not be starting at quarterback at all this season, let alone in week one.

And Baker Mayfield? Well, his relationship looks untenable in Cleveland. The chances of a trade away for the Browns former number one pick looks increasingly likely, with the Carolina Panthers the favourites to land Baker.

That leaves Jacoby Brissett, a six-year veteran with just two seasons as a starting quarterback in the NFL, as the probable starter. He’s a solid backup, but a starter for 17 games? I’m not sure.

The Browns looked like they had solved their quarterback issues this offseason. Now, the position could end up being their real weakness come September.

Elsewhere, the acquisition of Amari Cooper finally gives the Browns a number one receiver. They look set to improve in play at the position, but Cleveland still don’t have enough proven wideouts. It’ll be up to Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones to step up in 2022.

The Browns addressed a pressing need by resigning Jadeveon Clowney. However, a glaring issue looks to be at defensive tackle. Infact, the position may be the worst and the most inexperienced in the league.

Taven Bryan and Jordan Elliott are talented, but extremely unproven as NFL players. The lack of impact of interior defensive lineman could prove to be a big issue. Cleveland will be looking to a few of the senior players, like Clowney or Myles Garrett to step up as the stalwarts in the middle of their defensive line.

We’re expecting a huge breakout year from last year’s first round linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in 2022. He played 65% of the team’s snaps in 2021, but that number will certainly increase if he stays healthy this year. He can bring some real playmaking ability to this strong defense.

A huge plus on this team is the secondary. John Johnson is one of the most underrated safeties in the league, but it’s the cornerbacks who are the real plus. Denzel Ward became the then highest paid cornerback in history in April, while Greg Newsome II will be looking to build on a really solid rookie year in Cleveland.

The future of the defensive backs for the Browns is bright. Expect them to be one of the best units in football in 2022.

Baltimore Ravens

After an injury hit 2021, many are expecting better year for the Ravens this season. It’s a slightly different looking offense too, with major changes and receiver and across the offensive line.

We can’t wait to see Lamar Jackson and others back to full strength to go far this year. J.K. Dobbins will be raring to go after a year out with injury. He was poised for a breakout season in 2021 before being ruled out for the year, so expect Dobbins to be roaring to go in 2022.

Some roster depth issues remain at the centre of Baltimore’s problems offensively. Of course, the Lamar Jackson/Greg Roman offensive doesn’t rely heavily on receivers, yet the lack of wideouts could be an issue.

The passing will hinge on how effective Roman can develop the team’s catchers. But other than Andrews, Baltimore’s weapons have a point to prove to generate a chemistry with Jackson. Rashod Bateman particularly needs to step up as the main wideout for the Ravens this year.

On offensive line, Morgan Moses is a solid addition at right tackle. the addition of Tyler Linderbaum, one of the best center prospects in years, is another exciting prospect. Ronnie Stanley has been a standout since he entered the league. Ravens looking very solid looking up front.

This defense is youthful. And stacked. With names Patrick Queen, Odafe Oweh and now the impressive David Ojabo on the roster, the future is bright for the Ravens defense. Alongside the experience of players like Calais Campbell, they have a really solid mix going into this year.

Draft pick Travis Jones will need time to adapt before becoming a starter at defensive tackle, while third-rounder Ojabo is still recovering from injury. He particularly may need some time before securing a starting role in Baltimore.

The additions of Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams at safety, and with Marcus Peters returning from injury, makes the Ravens secondary the most formidable looking in the NFL. Hamilton particularly will be so fun to watch as a rookie, with commentators and pundits claiming he was the best overall player available in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers

With Big Ben gone, a new era is dawning in Pittsburgh.

Mitch Trubisky is a good free agency addition. He has to prove himself in 2022 as a legitimate starting quarterback in the league, so will be raring to go.

Or could it be Kenny Pickett stepping up as the starter? Quite possibly, but Trubisky should be the man who leads the Steelers out against the Bengals in week one.

I’d argue that the Steelers receiving core is one of the most up-and-coming in the league. The three starters selected are youthful and extremely talented, and those behind will be coming in hard to unseat them. I expect a great battle behind George Pickens and Calvin Austin for the third receiver spot this year.

At tight end, Pat Freiermuth was impressive as a rookie, while Connor Heyward was a standout during mini camp. On offensive line, James Daniels is a solid addition for the Steelers at right guard. But little was done to address offensive tackle this year. Pittsburgh will desperate to improve on their 26th position ranking at offensive line by PFF last year.

The Steelers have retained many of their prospective free agents this offseason, and despite adding only two defenders via the draft, they have added a nice mix of new players into their team.

With Stephon Tuitt retiring, there may be an issue with depth at defensive end. But there is plenty of talent across the board.

Myles Jack is a great signing at inside linebacker, while Alex Highsmith will want to continue where he left off following a great 2021. The names of T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick speak for themselves.

Can this defense lead them to the playoffs? The odds are against them with the strength of this division. But never, ever write off Mike Tomlin and his men.