AFC North Division Preview

AFC North Team Previews

It’s AFC Week! More specifically, it’s AFC North Day. We’re going team-by-team through the AFC North, previewing the 2023 season for the Ravens, Bengals, Browns, and Steelers. We’ve got everything from personnel and coaching changes, depth charts, draft picks, schedules, fantasy football advice, and more.

Cincinnati Bengals Team Preview

Team Info

Division:                                   AFC North
2022 Finish (Record):           1st (12-4-0)

Head Coach:                          Zac Taylor
Offensive Coordinator:         Brian Callahan
Play Caller:                            Zac Taylor

 

2022 Top PPR Scorers and Tendencies

(Team Tendencies Source Data from NFELO)

Key Changes & Need to Know

• Go Again – No major changes to the coaching or skill position players, some upgrades at Tackle with Orlando Brown to try and take them over the top with their super bowl push
• Intriguing Backfield – 3rd down & 2 minute drill specialist Samaje Perine is gone and the only replacement is a 5th round selection in Chase Brown. Without another addition, does this mean a big workload for Mixon?

2023 Draft Picks

• 1.28 – Myles Murphy EDGE
• 2.29 – DJ Turner II CB
• 3.32 – Jordan Battle SAF
• 4.29 – Charlie Jones WR
• 5.28 – Chase Brown RB
• 6.29 – Andrei Iosivas WR
• 6.40 – Brad Robbins P
• 7.29 – D.J. Ivey DB

Free Agency

Notable New Players

• Irv Smith – Tight End
• Orlando Brown – Offensive Tackle

Notable Players who have left

• Samaje Perine – Running Back
• Hayden Hurst – Tight End

Top Ranked Players – 2023

• Ja’Marr Chase WR2
• Tee Higgins WR14
• Joe Mixon RB15
• Joe Burrow QB4

See The Complete Rankings Here

Positional Depth Charts

Quarterback

• Joe Burrow
• Trevor Siemian

Position Rank: 4th

Running Back

• Joe Mixon
• Chase Brown
• Chris Evans
• Trayveon Williams

Position Rank: 27th

Wide Receiver

• Ja’Marr Chase
• Tee Higgins
• Tyler Boyd – Slot
• Charlie Jones
• Andrei Iosivas
• Trenton Irwin
• Trent Taylor

Position Rank: 1st

Tight End

• Irv Smith Jr.
• Drew Sample
• Devin Asiasi
• Tanner Hudson
• Mitchell Wilcox

Position Rank: 20th

Offensive Line

• LT – Orlando Brown Jr.
• LG – Cordell Volson
• C – Ted Karras
• RG – Alex Cappa
• RT – Jonah Williams

Position Rank (PFF): 17th

2023 Projections

Projections Created Using The 2023 Projections Template

Fantasy Football Studs

• Ja’Marr Chase
• Tee Higgins
• Joe Burrow

Fantasy Football Values

• Joe Mixon
• Tyler Boyd

Fantasy Football Avoids

None

Our Targets

• Joe Burrow
• Ja’Marr Chase
• Tee Higgins
• Joe Mixon

 

2023 Schedule

 

Week 1	@	Cleveland Browns
Week 2	v	Baltimore Ravens
Week 3	v	Los Angeles Rams
Week 4	@	Tennessee Titans
Week 5	@	Arizona Cardinals
Week 6	v	Seattle Seahawks
Week 7	BYE
Week 8	@	San Francisco 49ers
Week 9	v	Buffalo Bills
Week 10	v	Houston Texans
Week 11	@	Baltimore Ravens
Week 12	v	Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 13	@	Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 14	v	Indianapolis Colts
Week 15	v	Minnesota Vikings
Week 16	@	Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 17	@	Kansas City Chiefs
Week 18	v	Cleveland Browns

Summary

The Bengals will again be one of the AFC’s top contenders. The impact of the addition of pro bowl tackle Orlando Brown cannot be overstated. Not only will be lock down the blindside, he also allows Jonah Williams to slide to right tackle where he should have an easier go of it after a rough 2022. With Joe Burrow at quarterback, a loaded wide receiver room, and one of the better offensive lines in the NFL, the Cincinnati offense is poised for a fantasy football-breaking season. It would be no shock to see this team hoist the Lombardi Trophy at season’s end.

Overall Team Rank: 3rd

Projected AFC North Finish: 1st

Baltimore Ravens Team Preview

Team Info

Division:                                   AFC North
2022 Finish (Record):           2nd (10-7-0)

Head Coach:                          John Harbaugh
Offensive Coordinator:         Todd Monken *NEW*
Play Caller:                            Todd Monken

Todd Monken Last 3 Roles

• Georgia (2020-2022) Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach
• Cleveland Browns (2019) Offensive Coordinator
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016-2018) Offensive Coordinator

 

2022 Top PPR Scorers and Tendencies

(Team Tendencies Source Data from NFELO)

Key Changes & Need to Know

• New Offensive Coordinator – Todd Monken, spent last 3 seasons as OC for Georgia, with stints as OC at Tampa Bay and Cleveland before that
• Lamar Jackson Contract – After months of uncertainty, Lamar is now locked in for the long term

2023 Draft Picks

• 1.22 – Zay Flowers WR
• 3.23 – Trenton Simpson LB
• 4.22 – Tavius Robinson EDGE
• 5.22 – Kyu Blu Kelly CB
• 6.22 – Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu OT
• 7.12 – Andrew Vorhees G

Free Agency

Notable New Players

• Nelson Agholor – Wide Receiver
• Odell Beckham Jr. – Wide Receiver
• Melvin Gordon – Running Back

Notable Players who have left

• Josh Oliver – Tight End

Top Ranked Players – 2023

• Mark Andrews TE2
• Lamar Jackson QB5
• J.K. Dobbins RB19
• Zay Flowers WR39
• Rashod Bateman WR43

See The Complete Rankings Here

Positional Depth Charts

Quarterback

• Lamar Jackson
• Tyler Huntley

Position Rank: 5th

Running Back

• J.K. Dobbins
• Gus Edwards
• Melvin Gordon III
• Justice Hill
• Keaton Mitchell
• Patrick Ricard (FB)

Position Rank: 22nd

Wide Receiver

• Rashod Bateman
• Zay Flowers – Slot
• Odell Beckham Jr.
• Devin Duvernay
• Nelson Agholor
• Tylan Wallace
• James Proche II

Position Rank: 17th

Tight End

• Mark Andrews
• Isaiah Likely
• Charlie Kolar

Position Rank: 2nd

Offensive Line

• LT – Ronnie Stanley
• LG – Ben Cleveland
• C – Tyler Linderbaum
• RG – Kevin Zeitler
• RT – Morgan Moses

Position Rank (PFF): 4th

2023 Projections

Projections Created Using The 2023 Projections Template

Fantasy Football Studs

• Mark Andrews
• Lamar Jackson

Fantasy Football Values

• Zay Flowers
• Rashod Bateman

Fantasy Football Avoids

• J.K. Dobbins
• Odell Beckham Jr.

Our Targets

• Lamar Jackson
• Zay Flowers
• Rashod Bateman
• Mark Andrews

 

2023 Schedule

 

Week 1	v	Houston Texans
Week 2	@	Cincinnati Bengals
Week 3	v	Indianapolis Colts
Week 4	@	Cleveland Browns
Week 5	@	Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 6	LONDON	Tennessee Titans
Week 7	v	Detroit Lions
Week 8	@	Arizona Cardinals
Week 9	v	Seattle Seahawks
Week 10	v	Cleveland Browns
Week 11	v	Cincinnati Bengals
Week 12	@	Los Angeles Chargers
Week 13	BYE
Week 14	v	Los Angeles Rams
Week 15	@	Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 16	@	San Francisco 49ers
Week 17	v	Miami Dolphins
Week 18	v	Pittsburgh Steelers

Summary

Everything the Ravens did this offseason indicates they are moving away from their old run-first, conservative approach on offense. They brought in a new, more modern-minded offensive coordinator and added two stud pass catchers, on top of locking in their quarterback for the next five years. This is going to be a much more wide-open, pass-friendly offense than we’ve seen in the Lamar Jackson era. Jackson will be afforded more opportunities to drop back to pass. That will be good for everyone, including Jackson. Some fantasy football drafters are afraid that more passing plays will mean less running for Jackson. Sure, that might mean less designed runs for the quarterback. However, the more pass plays that are called, the more we get to see Jackson really shine as a scrambler. With the added weapons everything aligns for Jackson to have his best season yet. And that’s saying something after his incredible 2019.

Overall Team Rank: 14th

Projected AFC North Finish: 2nd

Cleveland Browns Team Preview

Team Info

Division:                                   AFC North
2022 Finish (Record):           4th (7-10-0)

Head Coach:                          Kevin Stefanski
Offensive Coordinator:         Alex Van Pelt
Play Caller:                            Kevin Stefanski

2022 Top PPR Scorers and Team Tendencies

(Team Tendencies Source Data from NFELO)

Key Changes & Need to Know

• Passing Game – Two wide receivers added through trade / free agency and their first pick (round 3) spent on WR. Coaches are also hinting at more passing
• Deshaun Watson – Wasn’t his previous self when he got back on the field in 2022, will he get back to normal in 2023?

2023 Draft Picks

• 3.11 – Cedric Tillman WR
• 3.35 – Siaki Ika DT
• 4.09 – Dawand Jones OT
• 4.24 – Isaiah McGuire DE
• 5.05 – Dorian Thompson-Robinson QB
• 5.07 – Cameron Mitchell CB
• 6.13 – Luke Wypler C

Free Agency

Notable New Players

• Elijah Moore – Wide Receiver
• Marquise Goodwin – Wide Receiver
• Jordan Akins – Tight End

Notable Players who have left

• Pharaoh Brown – Tight End
• D’Ernest Johnson – Running Back
• Kareem Hunt – Running Back

Top Ranked Players – 2023

• Nick Chubb RB4
• Amari Cooper WR22
• Deshaun Watson QB10
• David Njoku TE10

See The Complete Rankings Here

Positional Depth Charts

Quarterback

• Deshaun Watson
• Joshua Dobbs
• Dorian Thompson-Robinson
• Kellen Mond

Position Rank: 10th

Running Back

• Nick Chubb
• Jerome Ford
• Demetric Felton Jr.
• John Kelly Jr.

Position Rank: 11th

Wide Receiver

• Amari Cooper
• Elijah Moore – Slot
• Donovan Peoples-Jones
• Cedric Tillman
• David Bell
• Marquise Goodwin
• Demetric Felton Jr.
• Anthony Schwartz
• Michael Woods II

Position Rank: 14th

Tight End

• David Njoku
• Harrison Bryant
• Jordan Akins

Position Rank: 10th

Offensive Line

• LT – Jedrick Wills Jr.
• LG – Joel Bitonio
• C – Ethan Pocic
• RG – Wyatt Teller
• RT – Jack Conklin

Position Rank (PFF): 2nd

2023 Projections

Projections Created Using The 2023 Projections Template

Fantasy Football Studs

• Nick Chubb

Fantasy Football Values

• Amari Cooper
• David Njoku

Fantasy Football Avoids

None

Our Targets

• Nick Chubb
• Amari Cooper
• Jerome Ford

 

2023 Schedule

 

Week 1	v	Cincinnati Bengals
Week 2	@	Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 3	v	Tennessee Titans
Week 4	v	Baltimore Ravens
Week 5	BYE
Week 6	v	San Francisco 49ers
Week 7	@	Indianapolis Colts
Week 8	@	Seattle Seahawks
Week 9	v	Arizona Cardinals
Week 10	@	Baltimore Ravens
Week 11	v	Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 12	@	Denver Broncos
Week 13	@	Los Angeles Rams
Week 14	v	Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 15	v	Chicago Bears
Week 16	@	Houston Texans
Week 17	v	New York Jets
Week 18	@	Cincinnati Bengals

Summary

The Browns could make a huge turnaround in 2023 with a full offseason with Deshaun Watson. His 2022 was rough, but if he regains his form the Browns could be one of three AFC North teams to make the playoffs and could even make a deep run. The improved offense, dominate offensive line, and departure of Kareem Hunt also sets up running back Nick Chubb to have his best season yet. If the team can also revive troubled former Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore’s career, this offense could be a top-3 unit in the league and a fantasy gold mine.

Overall Team Rank: 11th

Projected AFC North Finish: 3rd

Pittsburgh Steelers Team Preview

Team Info

Division:                                   AFC North
2022 Finish (Record):           3rd (9-8-0)

Head Coach:                          Mike Tomlin
Offensive Coordinator:         Matt Canada
Play Caller:                            Matt Canada

 

2022 Top PPR Scorers and Team Tendencies

(Team Tendencies Source Data from NFELO)

Key Changes & Need to Know

• Kenny Pickett – Steelers will be looking for progress in year 2. Pickett was dead last in passing Touchdown rate in 2022
• Very Few Changes – Very little has changed in the offense. Allen Robinson replaces Chase Claypool and some strengthening of the o-line

2023 Draft Picks

• 1.14 – Broderick Jones OT
• 2.01 – Joey Porter Jr. CB
• 2.18 – Keeanu Benton DT
• 3.30 – Darnell Washington TE
• 4.30 – Nick Herbig LB
• 7.24 – Cory Trice Jr. CB
• 7.34 – Spencer Anderson G

Free Agency

Notable New Players

• Allen Robinson – Wide Receiver
• Isaac Seumalo – Guard

Notable Players who have left

• None

Top Ranked Players – 2023

• Najee Harris RB12
• Diontae Johnson WR24
• Pat Freiermuth TE9

See The Complete Rankings Here

Positional Depth Charts

Quarterback

• Kenny Pickett
• Mitch Trubisky
• Mason Rudolph

Position Rank: 23rd

Running Back

• Najee Harris
• Jaylen Warren
• Anthony McFarland Jr.

Position Rank: 7th

Wide Receiver

• Diontae Johnson
• George Pickens
• Allen Robinson II — Slot
• Calvin Austin III
• Miles Boykin
• Dez Fitzpatrick
• Gunner Olszewski

Position Rank: 26th

Tight End

• Pat Freiermuth
• Darnell Washington
• Zach Gentry
• Connor Heyward

Position Rank: 9th

Offensive Line

• LT – Broderick Jones
• LG – Isaac Seumalo
• C – Mason Cole
• RG – James Daniels
• RT – Chukwuma Okorafor

Position Rank (PFF): 12th

2023 Projections

Projections Created Using The 2023 Projections Template

Fantasy Football Studs

• Pat Freiermuth

Fantasy Football Values

• Diontae Johnson
• Jaylen Warren
• Kenny Pickett

Fantasy Football Avoids

• Najee Harris

Our Targets

• Diontae Johnson
• Jaylen Warren

 

2023 Schedule

 

Week 1	v	San Francisco 49ers
Week 2	v	Cleveland Browns
Week 3	@	Las Vegas Raiders
Week 4	@	Houston Texans
Week 5	v	Baltimore Ravens
Week 6	BYE
Week 7	@	Los Angeles Rams
Week 8	v	Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 9	v	Tennessee Titans
Week 10	v	Green Bay Packers
Week 11	@	Cleveland Browns
Week 12	@	Cincinnati Bengals
Week 13	v	Arizona Cardinals
Week 14	v	New England Patriots
Week 15	@	Indianapolis Colts
Week 16	v	Cincinnati Bengals
Week 17	@	Seattle Seahawks
Week 18	@	Baltimore Ravens

Summary

The Steelers are competing with the Browns for third place in the AFC North. While that doesn’t sound great, it could end up as a wild card spot. Of course, for that to happen, second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett will have to take a big step forward. The team upgraded the offensive line which will certainly help. They will likely lean on the run game led by Najee Harris, but will also need a rebound year from Diontae Johnson and a leap year from George Pickens if this offense is going to be enough to get to the postseason. Tight end Pat Freiermuth will continue to be a stud and No. 2 running back Jaylen Warren could eat into Harris’ workload if he struggles with efficiency like he did early in 2022.

Overall Team Rank: 21st

Projected AFC North Finish: 4th

Who do you think will win the AFC North in 2023? Jump in our Discord and join the discussion!

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