Everyone loves a good list, and in the AFC North it is no different. Defense may win championships but firepower on Offense is a key element in victory as well. With that said, lets take a look at the Offenses by rank in the North. We’ll start with Cleveland. Mainly because we know that is the basement or bottom of the barrel.

 

#4 Cleveland Browns

QB: Cleveland has had more starting QBs than anyone in the AFC North, possibly the entire league in the last five years. Robert Griffin III is a continuation of this carousel. However it could be the change the team needs to have some consistency, if RGIII can pull it together and revive his career. He’ll need to win the job first.

 

WRs: The Browns’ only WR weapon wanted a better QB, and who could blame him? The San Diego will enjoy his talent. Corey Coleman is coming in as a rookie and will revive this tantamount unit, but there is no help other than Gary Barnidge

 

TEs: Gary Barnidge aka “the Barnyard Dog” had a breakout year last season posting 79-1043-9-TDs EJ Bibbs was a major disappointment. Look for the Barnyard Dog to once again lead him team in receptions.

 

Line: I’ll go ahead and say once again Cleveland can be excited about their O-Line. This unit is simple a dream scenario and will continue to flourish. This unit led by six-time All Pro Joe Thomas is going to be dangerous in 2016.

 

RBs: Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson are not premiere backs…on any other team in the league. They are here in Cleveland. This unit combined barely scratched over 1000-yards last season. Hue Jackson insist that this will be a running team so stay tuned as they continue to work on that.

 

#3 Baltimore Ravens

 

QB: Joe Flacco may need an extra year to get back to the form we are used to seeing after having ACL surgery towards the end of last season. Ryan Mallett is showing flashed of greatness so far, but only to solidify the backup spot as Flacco does not come off the field for injuries at all. In fact last year was the first time he was seriously injured in his 9-yr career.

 

WRs: Steve Smith Sr and Mike Wallace are veterans on the backside of their careers, but still pack a punch. Look for a healthy Breshard Perriman to prove he was worth the first-round selection in 2015. Kamar Aiken has made his name well known in the AFC North as he hauled in 75-944-5-TDs in 2015. Look for Wallace and Aiken to battle out for the #2 spot behind Steve Smith Sr.

 

TEs: Ben Watson looks to lead this unit, even in his old age. Crockett Gilmore has a nastiness about him that can’t be ignored. Maxx Williams still needs to catch his stride with the offense and assert himself. Dennis Pitta is showing potential this offseason and could be Flacco’s favorite target once again, if he can prove he’s healthy and confident in his ability.

 

RBs: This stable of backs is going to have a fierce competition during training camp. Justin Forsett should be leading the pack, even though he was coming off of injury. The real story here is the possible return of Trent Richardson. I say possibly because of his lack of conditioning. If he gets on John Harbaugh’s ****list he may not even make it though camp. This unit will be strong, come start of the season but who will be the top-2 backs is still in question

 

Line: This line was questionable due to injuries last season. The team was also questioning Eugene Monroe’s injury history and commitment level. Losing Kelechi Osemele to the Oakland Raiders, hurt Charm City, and triggered the drafting of Ronnie Stanley to bolster the unit. Marshall Yanda is still leading this unit by example but it will take more than him to protect Joe.

 

#2 Cincinnati Bengals

 

QB: If the QB position were a two-headed monster, this tandem would be the best in football. AJ McCarron made it a seamless transition once Andy Dalton went down in 2015. This position is not one of concern for WHO DEY Nation as it is very secure.

 

WRs: Here is where the question mark is. AJ Green is one of the best WRs in football, but who are his backup dancers? Brandon LaFell is coming off of arguably his worst NFL season since 2010, posting no TDs in 2015. Tyler Boyd is the sleeper in this group. Look for him to battle LaFell for the number 2 spot in training camp. Should he win the job, this team gets much more effective at the position.

 

TEs: Cinci is collecting Tylers. Tyler Eifert and second year player out of Rutgers Tyler Kroft head this group. According to rotoworld.com Kroft drew Zach Ertz comparisons which is great considering he will may be the week one starter if Eifert can’t recover in time from injury.

 

RB: This is another unit that cannot be ignored. Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard combined for 2075 total yards last season. There is a huge possibility that they could both rush for 1000 yards next year.

 

Line: This is an excellent pass protection unit. They lead the league currently, only allowing their QB to get hit 58 times. Andrew Whitworth may be long in the tooth but the team has exercised plenty of faith in the 10-year player. He has a capable supporting cast and will definitely keep his red-head signal caller upright in 2016.

 

 

#1 Pittsburgh Steelers

 

Disclaimer: NOT A STEELERS FAN! I’m a Ravens fan!

 

QB: Having a top-5 QB is not as impressive anymore in this league with guys like Blake Bortles, Jameis Winston and Derek Carr coming out of nowhere with formidable talent. Nonetheless, they are not on Big Ben Roethlisberger’s level YET. Ben is just as dangerous as he was his first year. The only problem is if the goes down, Bruce Gradkowski is the backup. Gulp!

WR: This WR corps is about as unpredictable as ever. When the league isn’t suspending them or giving huge fines for TDs celebrations that result in an explosion of memes throughout the internet, this squad is straight ballin! Antonio Brown is a family home name now and arguably the best WR in football (I said arguably). Marcus Wheaton may not be but, Ben will find him a lot this season, due to Martavis Bryant being suspended again.

 

RB: DeAngelo Williams is a beast! He has such an aggressive running style; he just plows through players with raw power. It is hard to believe that he is still shifty and explosive after 10 seasons this is proven by his 902 yards and 11-TDs from last year…did I mention he was the backup? Le’ Veon Bell may have to share the load with Williams, due to his notable 2015 season but it only makes this unit more dangerous.

 

TE: When Heath Miller up and decided to retire this offseason, I was not sure how they would replace to such a reliable veteran. Then owner Kevin Colbert shocked me with a huge acquisition from the San Diego Chargers. Ladarius Green is still fresh at 25. He was primarily used as a blocking TE in SD but is very athletic. This was a free-agency steal in my opinion. Between him and Matt Spaeth, the Steelers won’t miss a beat in 2016.

 

Line: This Unit is only behind Cinci in terms of QB protection. They only allowed 33 sacks last year on their signal callers. Now with Le’ Veon Bell back, they will have an even easier time to get it done on the ground. Maurkice Pouncey was one of the best centers in football in 2014 and will resume top-tier placy to protect his signal caller in 2016.

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Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Facebook or twitter.

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