Dissecting the NFL: AFC West

Each week, we dive into analysis and record projections for every team in the NFL, division-by-division. This week covers the AFC West.

The AFC West is a tough division to get a good read on. Between the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs you have three teams who should compete for the division as well as a top seed in the AFC playoff picture. Even the San Diego Chargers have just enough talent to challenge for a .500 record. However, there is plenty of parity this year. The Broncos will attempt to adjust to life without quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler with journey man Mark Sanchez and rookie Paxton Lynch. The Chargers will field a team that finished 4-12 and had a top three pick in the 2015 NFL draft. The Raiders have tons of talent to compete in the division, via free agency, but none of the players have yet to play a snap together. If history is any indication, free agency “winners” don’t often pan out (ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). The Chiefs managed to resign their key players, aside from cornerback Sean Smith, and appear to be the one true team to take the division with ease. All four of these teams could compete and shock the AFC. Let’s dive into some analysis.

Denver Broncos:

First off, congratulations Denver on being the reigning Super Bowl champions. You also managed to resign outside linebacker and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller as of just a few short hours ago. Those two big wins should give you plenty of optimism going into this season. Head coach Gary Kubiak and General Manager John Elway have this team consistently headed in the right direction with smart offseason moves and terrific drafting. Unfortunately, aside from resigning Von Miller, this offseason was a tough one for the Mile High city. Free agency hit this team hard, watching stud defensive players in linebacker Danny Trevathan and defensive lineman Malik Jackson move on to new teams. Those two were big time contributors on what was the league’s best defense. The team also saw future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning retire. While he wasn’t even close to his best last season, Denver would certainly love to have him back right now. Denver also lost who they once saw as the heir apparent to Manning in Brock Osweiler to the Houston Texans. Denver responded by trading for Mark Sanchez and spending their first round pick on Paxton Lynch. Lynch was a quarterback at Memphis who looks like a potential franchise a quarterback after a season or two of molding. Sanchez is nothing but a back-up quarterback at this point in his career and will be asked to play a substitute teacher role while Kubiak and Elway develop Lynch. This could be troublesome for the offense.

Meanwhile, the Broncos return starting wide outs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. The two should help out whoever is starting at quarterback with reliable hands and great route running ability. Running back CJ Anderson will attempt to become a bell-cow for the team. I don’t personally believe in Anderson, at all. Should Anderson falter, this could lead to a struggling offense that could become one dimensional quickly. The strength of this team will be its defense. Previously mentioned Von Miller will be joined by fellow outside linebackers Demarcus Ware, Shane Ray, and Shaquil Barrett. Linebacker Brandon Marshall will man inside duties. Defensive lineman Derek Wolfe will become the captain of the defensive line. Denver hopes fellow defensive lineman Sylvester Williams can step into Malik Jackson’s role. The secondary will feast on opposing offenses. Cornerbacks Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, and Bradley Roby are about as good as it gets. They will be joined by safeties Darian Stewart and TJ Ward for what should be a top five secondary in the league.

The biggest weak link is quarterback, but I expect the entire offense to stumble. Especially if the run game doesn’t pan out and the offensive line continues to struggle. The Broncos addressed the offensive line by bringing in offensive tackles Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson. Rookie running back Devontae Booker could also provide the needed boost in the run game, so long as he is healthy. The offense is all potential that will need until at least mid-season, maybe longer to gel. The team will win games with its defense. Look for the Broncos defense to make plenty of top ten appearances in major stat categories and the offense to be in the twenties in major offensive stats. This should be a “down” year for the reigning Super Bowl champs, and that’s O.K. This team will be a tough out week-in and week-out.

Record Projection: 8-8

Kansas City Chiefs:

The Kansas City Chiefs yield an offense that is just good enough to win games and a defense that should give opposing offensive coordinators nightmares. Head coach Andy Reid’s offense featuring quarterback Alex Smith will limit their turnovers and allow the team to consistently drain the clock to close out games, even if they only put up 20 points a game. With weapons like wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce, the offense can be opened up for the plethora of running backs this Chiefs have stashed away. It starts with future Hall of Famer Jamaal Charles. Even coming off an injury, Charles is one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL. His breakaway speed and receiving ability gives the offense the spark needed to open up the rest of the offense. Coming off an ACL tear, expectations for Charles should be tempered (regardless of my previous article on Charles). When completely healthy, Charles is a top three back in the league and arguably the most explosive. Running backs Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West also have tremendous value as change-of-pace weapons. Ware and West are just as capable of making big plays based off their performance last season after Charles’ unfortunate injury. The offensive line also added right tackle Mitchell Schwartz in free agency, helping Kansas City to form what should be one of the league’s best offensive lines.

Then we have the defense. The Chiefs boast a defense that should be turnover happy with all of their playmakers. Cornerback Marcus Peters in particular could be a major weapon for this team. As a rookie, Peters tied for the league lead in interceptions at eight. He unfortunately gave up eight touchdowns as well. He could easily make big strides forward as a future shutdown cornerback. Fellow cornerback KeiVarae Russell could also make a big impact as a rookie opposite Peters. Outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston should once again form one of the league’s top sack duos. Defensive linemen Jaye Howard and rookie Chris Jones as well as nose tackle Dontari Poe should also make plenty of plays in opposing backfield. Finally, we have the reigning Comeback Player of the Year in safety Eric Berry. Berry is a top five safety in the league and should challenge for an All-Pro spot in at a relatively weak position in the NFL. Berry is easily far and away one of the league’s elite safeties. Fellow safety Ron Parker is no slouch himself. Look for Parker to clean up tons of plays and be one of the most underrated defenders in the NFL.

The Chiefs should be able to walk away with this division. Short of Oakland’s free agent signings making an immediate impact and gelling immediately, no other team in this division is as complete as Kansas City. The biggest flaw on this team is quarterback Alex Smith. His dink-and-dunk style is great until the Chiefs fall behind in a game. This will be their biggest question mark come the post season: is Alex Smith good enough to win the big ones? We will more than likely find out this season.

Record Projection: 10-6

Oakland Raiders:

All hail the free agency kings, the Oakland Raiders. General Manager Reggie McKenzie was a busy man this offseason. The Raiders’ free agency signing include offensive guard Kelechi Osemele, linebacker Bruce Irvin, safety Reggie Nelson, and cornerback Sean Smith (plucked from the division rival Kansas City Chiefs). The team is no doubt loaded with talent. I just don’t like to jump onto to a team’s hype train after a fantastic offseason via free agency; the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have screwed me so many times by this logic. But the team already boasted a talented roster. It all starts with quarterback Derek Carr. Carr is on his way to becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL. His arm is about as strong as they come, and his ability to take off running or stand in the pocket is extremely valuable to his offense. Matched with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree and even breakout a candidate in tight end Clive Walford, Carr has no shortage of weapons. Behind a revamped offensive line, and one that could be the best in the NFL, running back Latavius Murray has no excuses to not be a work horse for this offense. Rookie running back DeAndre Washington has the upside as a pass catcher as well as the explosive traits to be a change-of-pace back capable of breaking a big one thanks to his tremendous speed.

The defense has an All-Pro at TWO different positions last season (!) in Khalil Mack. Mack is the second best defensive player in the NFL behind JJ Watt and a top five player in general. Pass rushers are aplenty on this team aside from Mack. Previously mentioned Bruce Irvin will bring the heat from the edge. The team also invested two draft picks recently in defensive linemen Jihad Ward and Shilique Calhoun. Defensive lineman Mario Edwards and nose tackle Dan Williams return. As long as Edwards is healthy, this group is terrifying. The secondary got a needed boost following the retirement of future Hall of Fame cornerback/safety Charles Woodson. Previously mentioned Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson will join cornerback David Amerson and rookie safety Karl Joseph to form an opportunistic secondary.

Overall, the upside of this team is extraordinary. I just refuse to buy into the free agency hype. Truthfully, this team should compete for a playoff spot as well as the division crown. Anything short of that will be a pretty big disappointment. The team has the upside of a top ten passing offense with a run game good enough to close out games. This defense should challenge for the league lead in sacks and Khalil Mack could wind up leading the NFL in sacks. Look for a step forward from this team on the rise, but temper your expectations.

Record Projection: 9-7

San Diego Chargers:

Poor Philip Rivers. Trapped on a team with one of the worst defenses in the league and a constant revolving door on the offensive line. Short of oft-injured wide receiver Keenan Allen and aging veteran and future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates, the offense lacks the proper weapons to consistently scare opposing defenses. Rivers has one of the most talented arms in the NFL. If the team could find a way to protect him consistently, they could find a way to compete regularly even without a defense. Free agent signee Travis Benjamin at wide receiver will provide so much needed speed to the offense and an electric playmaker on special teams. A healthy Keenan Allen is deadly… One of my personal favorite wide receiver in the NFL, Allen was on pace for 134 receptions last season before suffering a freak injury against the Baltimore Ravens in the form of a lacerated kidney. That would have put him a mere two receptions behind league leaders Antonio Brown and Julio Jones. That’s some pretty nice company. When healthy, Allen should provide Rivers with one of his few reliable targets and will feast across the middle of the field. The Chargers are waiting on their investment in former 2015 first round pick running back Melvin Gordon to pay off. Gordon fumbled five times last season and failed to score a single touchdown as a rookie. His 3.5 yards per carry was also extremely disappointing. The offensive versatility will depend on Gordon showing his worth. No pressure.

This defense makes me sick to my stomach. The Chargers invested their top pick in the draft in defensive lineman Joey Bosa and also added linebacker Joshua Perry to make immediate impacts as likely starters. There is already tons of controvery with Bosa regarding his holdout and that could lead to major problems come the regular season. The team also added nose tackle Brandon Mebane to hopefully stop what is a constant nose bleed that is the team's run defense. Cornerback Jason Verrett plays well above his 5’9” frame and is one of the better and underrated cornerbacks in the league. The same can be said for fellow cornerback Brandon Flowers. Free agent signee Casey Heyward is expecting to make an immediate impact as the starting nickel cornerback. The biggest issue was letting stud safety Eric Weddle walk in free agency. The drama between Weddle and the Chargers front office reached ridiculous levels. It’s no wonder Weddle decided to leave in free agency. A big loss for this already struggling defense. The team desperately needs someone to step up and become the quarterback of the defense (looking at you, Manti Te’o).

This Chargers team top to bottom is a mess. If everyone can stay healthy, this team has the upside of a .500 record, but don’t count on it. If you’re a betting man, bet on this team competing for the number one pick in the 2017 NFL draft. There are plenty of pass rushers and some top tier offensive linemen to be had. That’s exactly what they need address. As Rivers gets old, San Diego’s window for a championship continues to close.

Record Projection: 3-13

Division Overview:

This division could either be a force in the AFC or a rather forgettable one. Denver, Kansas City, and Oakland’s defenses should provide some dominant performances and consistently make highlight worthy plays. San Diego’s defense should also appear in some highlight reels, but for all the wrong reasons. Short of Oakland’s offense, the rest of the division’s offenses should be slightly above average at best. If Oakland’s free agency signings pan out they could compete for the division and double digit wins. The Chiefs feel like a safe bet for double digit wins and a division title. And as for Denver, they need this offense for them to compete. The defense can only take them so far.

AFC West Projected Standings:

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 10-6 (4-2 in division)

2. Oakland Raiders: 9-7 (3-3 in division)

3. Denver Broncos: 8-8 (4-2 in division)

4. San Diego Chargers: 3-13 (1-5 in division)

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.

Dissecting the NFL: NFC North

Each week, we dive into analysis and record projections for every team in the NFL, division-by-division. This week covers the NFC North.

The NFC North is on to something really special. Between the Green Bay Packers possessing the best quarterback in the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings possessing the youngest and brightest roster in the NFL, we have two teams with serious Super Bowl hopes. Not to mention the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions both appear to be teams capable of competing for the playoffs again in the near future. Each team possesses high upside offenses with up-and-coming defenses. In fact, in three years who knows where all these teams could be? The future is bright for this division. This season will be a building block year for each team, but I expect some pretty solid seasons from the four clubs.

Chicago Bears:

My how things have changed in a hurry. After allowing 27.6 points per game, good enough for 31^st overall, in 2014, the defense made strides to improve to 24.8 points per game, good enough for 20^th overall (per The Football Database). While the number isn’t the most impressive, jumping from 31^st to 20^th is a big step in the right direction. The Chicago Bears front office also made big moves in free agency and the draft to help with the defense. After finish 22^nd overall against the run last season, the Bears spent their cap space to sign middle linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. Trevathan and Freeman will instantly help to shore up an up-and-coming linebacking corps featuring underrated beast Pernell McPhee and rookie Leonard Floyd at the outside linebacker spots. Floyd was drafted in the first round this year and is expected to make an immediate presence as a pass rusher for the Bears. Between stud corner Kyle Fuller and rising stars in second-year pros safety Adrian Amos and nose tackle Eddie Goldman, head coach John Fox will have plenty of toys to play with in his 3-4 defense.

The offense could also be in for an interesting year. Quarterback Jay Cutler made nice strides last season under then offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who has since moved on to the Miami Dolphins to become their head coach. Hopefully Cutler can continue making positive steps forward without Gase calling the plays. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will play this season under the franchise tag. When healthy, he is one of the best wide receivers in the game and possesses the greatest body control of a receiver I have ever seen. Fellow wide receiver Kevin White should finally take the field after missing his entire rookie season. And surprise tight end Zach Miller will hopefully pick up from where he left off last season to be a productive piece for this offense. The biggest question mark will be at running back, where second-year pro Jeremey Langford will likely be the starter. As a rookie, Langford amassed and impressive 537 rushing yards and six touchdowns through 16 games as Matt Forte's primary backup. However, he averaged a putrid 3.6 YPC. The Bears also invested a draft pick in Jordan Howard (keep an eye on him, fantasy football nuts) to compete in what will be a running back-by-committee approach.

This offense should be able to put a decent amount of points on the board, especially with healthy wide outs Kevin White and Alshon Jeffery. If the Bears want to win this year, it will be through defense. Their season will largely depend on how well this defense plays. I’m not the biggest believer in Leonard Floyd, but if anyone can get the most out of him it will be John Fox. This defense is likely a year away, and this team likely needs two or three seasons to gel before they can become true contenders. A top 15 draft pick should help make moves towards that bright future.

Record Projection: 6-10

Detroit Lions:

Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson hung up his cleats this offseason after an outstanding nine-year career in Detroit. How are the Detroit Lions going to pick up the slack for his absence? They won’t. But that isn’t fair to expect of anyone. No one can replace Calvin Johnson and no one ever will. What the Lions can do, and appear to be doing, is get enough playmakers to help open up the entire offense the way Johnson did single-handedly.  Quarterback Matthew Stafford looks ready to become one of the NFL’s best gunslingers. Wide receivers Golden Tate and recently acquired Marvin Jones look to be his go-to guys. A healthy Eric Ebron at tight end should be able to stretch the field with his incredible speed and be a big target in the red zone. The run game will be mediocre with running back Ameer Abdullah likely being “the guy” in what will be another running back-by-committee approach also featuring Theo Riddick and Stevan Ridley.

The defense seems to have some great pieces mixed with some O.K. pieces. Defensive lineman Ezekiel Ansah, cornerback Darius Slay, and linebacker DeAndre Levy should all be Pro Bowlers. Previously mentioned Darius Slay has been pegged by many, including yours truly, as a breakout candidate this season. He could wind up as this year's Josh Norman.The rest of the roster is mixed with average at best players. I personally love safety Glover Quin and believe linebacker Tahir Whitehead can make more positive strides, but many others would disagree and they could both regress. Rookie defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson will be asked to be a day one starter and be a key contributor for the Lions' run defense. The same can be said of rookie safety Miles Killebrew. Between sub-packages on defense and special teams, Killebrew will likely be a contributor early on in his career. The great players on this defense should be able to help to make the average players perform well, but that may not be the case this season.

This team will win games with the offense, an offense I expect to be top ten in the league in passing yards per game. They will, unfortunately, get into plenty of shootouts with other teams and their inability to run the ball could lead to the team failing to close out games. The Lions investment in offensive tackle Taylor Decker in the first round of this year’s draft should help solidify a solid offensive line for Stafford to throw in. Expect plenty of close games for the Lions this season, heartbreaking losses, and hopefully a coaching change for the future. I believe another good draft and a better head coach can quickly turn this roster into something special.

Record Projection: 7-9

Green Bay Packers:

What’s not to like in Green Bay? The Green Bay Packers have long reigned supreme in the NFC North, but the time may be fading. That means it’s time for this team to load up and win a Super Bowl before the rest of this division, especially Minnesota, catch up to them and make life harder. Thankfully, a well-run organization starting with head Coach Mike McCarthy will keep this well-oiled machine running for at least four or five more seasons. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is as good as it gets at the most important position in football. Great drafting and key players returning from injury will help this team immensely.

Rodgers will get back top wide receiver Jordy Nelson back from an ACL tear. He joins a receiving core featuring fellow wide receivers Randall Cobb, Devante Adams, and Jeff Janis as well as tight ends Jared Cook and Richard Rodgers. The running game will be strong with an in-shape Eddie Lacy as the starting running back and James Starks as the change-of-pace back. Both backs also possess great receiving abilites, a valuable asset in the Green Bay offense. The offensive line should hopefully return to form and provide a cleaner pocket for Rodgers than they did last season. The defense looks optimistic, with stars throughout the starting 11. Linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers will be the staple of the defense with great play from a loaded secondary. Damarious Randall, Sam Shields, Morgan Burnett, and Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix form what should be a top 10 secondary. Defensive lineman Mike Daniels is also a budding star that will help solidify a solid front seven. Rookie impacts from defensive lineman Kenny Clark and linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Blake Martinez will also help this defense. Kenny Clark in particular will be an immediate starter on a defensive line that has plenty of underachieving high draft picks. The Packers hope the addition of Martinez will be enough to slide Matthews back out to his natural role at outside linebacker.

Overall, this Packers squad will win double digit games and I believe lock down the division this season. This won’t be a cake walk, however, thanks to improvements from the division. The Packers need to take advantage of Detroit and Chicago continuing to rebuild/reload, as Minnesota is already knocking at the door. The overall talent between youngsters and veterans will reign supreme over a young and emerging Vikings squad... for now.  Now is the time to win another championship. Will this be Green Bay’s year?

Record Projection: 12-4

Minnesota Vikings:

All hail the reining NFC North Champion Minnesota Vikings. This team, coached by defensive mastermind Mike Zimmer, appears to be on the cusp of something extraordinary. General Manager Rick Spielman has once again locked down a stellar 2016 draft. This team’s ceiling is sky high with potential. Like it or not, the Vikings are legit Super Bowl contenders and will be for the next four or five years.

It all starts with future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson. The timeless wonder should crank out another 1,000 yard rushing season and double digit touchdowns to help even out the offense. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will need to take a step forward, however, for this team to truly become a well-rounded offense. Bridgewater has thrown an underwhelming 28 touchdowns to 21 interceptions in 29 career games since entering the league in 2014. The bright side is he has completed 64.9% of his passes. The Vikings have begun stocking up weapons for Bridgewater to throw to, so there are no excuses this season. The Vikings spent a first round pick on wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and return starter Stefon Diggs. Tight end Kyle Rudolph should be healthy and return to Pro Bowl form. Anything less than 20 passing touchdowns will be a big let-down by the third-year pro. Then we have the defense…This Vikings defense as a great chance to be a top ten or top five unit this season. Star players are scattered throughout the team in defensive linemen Everson Griffin and Linval Joseph, linebacker Anthony Barr, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, and safety Harrison Smith. Studs in defensive linemen Danielle Hunter, Sharrif Floyd, linebacker Eric Kendricks, and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn will also have large impacts. Not to mention impacts from second-year pro Trae Waynes and veteran Terrance Newman at cornerback as well as rookie cornerback Mackensie Alexander could make this secondary one of the best in the league. Keep an eye out for seventh round pick Jayron Kearse. Kearse has NFL bloodlines (Jevon Kearse) and while very raw has a tremendous ceiling.

Scoring will be very difficult on this team. And that’s exactly how the Vikings will win games this year. The reigns have been passed from Adrian Peterson to this defense as far as the most dominant part of this team. Their time may not be this season, but it is coming. Expect the playoffs this year and maybe more. Their future is brighter than any other team in the NFL.

Record Projection: 11-5

Division Overview:

The NFC North has the brightest future of any other division and two serious contenders in the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. In three years, all of these teams could be in the hunt for a division title. This season, expect some clutch wins and plenty of “wow” moments from the four teams. Plenty of positives and negatives will come from each team. If they can all hit their stride, this division could be a serious mess, as they could beat up each other and cause an awkwardness in division standings. Look out, NFL, this division is hungry.

NFC North Projected Standings:

1. Green Bay Packers: 12-4 (4-2 in division)

2. Minnesota Vikings: 11-5 (5-1 in division)

3. Detroit Lions: 7-9 (1-5 in division)

4. Chicago Bears: 6-10 (2-4 in division)

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.

Dissecting the NFL: AFC North

Each week, we dive into analysis and record projections for every team in the NFL, division-by-division. This week covers the AFC North.

The AFC North has reigned supreme for what feels like an eternity. With teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals, it's hard to not look at this division and be amazed at the talent. Even the Cleveland Browns boast some solid players, though the roster and coaching are a constant revolving door. Last season saw the division slip a little bit between and injury plagued Baltimore Ravens squad and a Cleveland Browns team once again finished well below .500. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers continued their dominance in the AFC with great offenses and solid defenses. This division should once again boast three teams above the .500 win mark (baring key injuries) and be a force in the AFC as a whole. Between the Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens, I can see three big time Super Bowl contenders and a Browns squad that should “compete” for the rights to the number one overall selection for the 2017 draft. It’s time again to dive into these four teams and breakdown my opinions and record projections.

Baltimore Ravens:

The injury bug decimated a talented Baltimore Ravens squad with Super Bowl expectations. Last season saw this Ravens squad simply destroyed by injuries and taking away any thoughts and hopes of the postseason. 20 players landed on injured reserve by seasons end, including quarterback Joe Flacco, pass rusher Terrell Suggs, running back Justin Forsett, and wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. 2015 first round pick Breshad Perriman would also find himself on season ending injured reserve, failing to record even one snap of preseason and regular season. All this in mind, there is good reason for this Ravens squad to have some optimism entering this season.

For starters, John Harbaugh is still the head coach of this team. Harbaugh owns a 77-49 regular season record since becoming the head coach in 2008. This team is all-in on Harbaugh and the chemistry he has with his players shows that. A lot of returning starters can also make for a great team. If Flacco, Smith, Sr. and Suggs can return to form, this team will get an instant veteran boost. That is a big “if”, however, as they will be 31, 37, and 34 respectively before the post season – if they even make it. Pass rusher Elvis Dumervil is also 32 years old now and is coming off offseason foot surgery. This is coming from a player who clearly lost a step last season without his running mate in Suggs. It is also unfair to expect too much out of Steve Smith, Sr. Tasked with being the teams number one receiver may prove to be too much for the 37 year-old coming off a season ending Achilles tear.

The Ravens will host a slew of starters, 11 altogether, over age 30. This can be viewed as both a good and bad thing as the veteran leadership will be phenomenal, but all these players have likely lost a step from their primes. The offseason additions of safety Eric Weddle, tight end Benjamin Watson, and wide receiver Mike Wallace could prove to be major difference makers – especially Weddle in the secondary. General Manager Ozzie Newsome had another stellar draft featuring offensive tackle and first round pick Ronnie Stanley. The team also believes they can get major production from their other draft choices, such as running back Kenneth Dixon and linebacker Kamalei Correa. The defense will be captained by third-year linebacker CJ Mosley, who looks to make another step in the right direction for this team. All-in-all, a healthy Ravens squad could prove troublesome for their AFC North rivals. A lot will depend on the play of Joe Flacco coming off a season ending ACL tear. I believe as long as this team remains healthy, the playoffs could be in their future.

Record Projection: 10-6

Cincinnati Bengals:

Will this be the year the Bengals finally win a playoff game? Head coach Marvin Lewis sure does hope so, as his hot seat might as well be on the sun. They were so close to a win last year against their division rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers before some rather boneheaded penalties allowed the Steelers to win the game. It’s so unfortunate, too, as this Bengals team is simply loaded with talent. Top-to-bottom, there are very few teams who are as complete as the Bengals. Especially if quarterback Andy Dalton can pick up right where he left off last year before a thumb injury prematurely ended his stellar 2015 season.

This Bengals team has a ton of positives, starting with wide receiver AJ Green. Green is arguably a top five receiver in the NFL with his amazing blend of size, speed, hands, and body control. The backfield has great diversity and youth in running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. The offensive line, captained by left tackle Andrew Whitworth, should once again be a strength for this team. The defense features studs on the defensive line in Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins. The linebacking core features a talented but knuckled headed beast in Vontaze Burfict. And the secondary has plenty of youth and untapped talent with safety George Iloka and 2016 first round pick William Jackson III. Fellow rookie wide receiver Tyler Boyd is also expected to make an early impact. The only downside is the unfortunate loss of many play makers thanks to free agency. However, young players are ready to fill in the holes, thanks to good drafting. Talent is not a question mark for this Bengals team, it’s the discipline of their key players.

Last January, the Bengals took a 16-15 lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers with just 1:36 left in the game. A costly Jeremy Hill fumble would give the Steelers the opportunity to win the game. Thanks to two massive personal foul penalties by cornerback Adam Jones and previously mentioned linebacker Vontaze Burfict, kicker Chris Boswell won the Steelers the game, 18-16. This is a common theme for the Bengals, however. Head coach Marvin Lewis has always lacked the discipline needed to win close games, as evidence by his 0-7 playoff record since 2003. Things need to change this year or this team could face a change at head coach. Whether the players love Lewis or not, things need to change fast. A great regular season is expected. Hopefully this is the season the Bengals can finally overcome their playoff drought.

Record Projection: 12-4

Cleveland Browns:

Congrats on your first championship since the 1950’s, Cleveland! No, I’m not talking about the Browns. I’m talking about the Cleveland Cavilers basketball team. Hopefully that championship will help you to get through this upcoming season, because it’s going to be another long and grueling season for Browns fans. The Browns are an absolute mess. They look no better than a new franchise team and there are very few bright spots. Left tackle, and future Hall of Famer, Joe Thomas, cornerback Joe Haden, and 2016 first round pick Corey Coleman are the teams few bright spots. The rest of this roster is simply a mess.

2016 marks the fourth time since 2010 the Browns face a coaching change. Head coach and offensive guru Hue Jackson hopes to change the philosophy of this Browns team and get them on the right track. A backfield featuring running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson will be intriguing and fun to monitor, especially Johnson. Previously mentioned wide receiver Corey Coleman can also make an immediate impact as the team’s number one receiver. The Browns also hope for a healthy bounce back season from cornerback Joe Haden. The team also hopes veteran tight end Gary Barnidge can pick up where he left off last season. That’s about all the positives I can think of.

This Browns team saw a lot of talented young players leave in free agency. Safety Tashaun Gipson, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, wide receiver Travis Benjamin, and center Alex Mack headline this list. Rookie General Manager Sashi Brown racked up an impressive 14 draft picks to round out a youth movement in Cleveland. A lot of these picks, however, need at least a few seasons to learn and reach their full potential. Unfortunately, a lot of them will see the field early and often to be immediate contributors, especially at wide receiver. Along with Coleman, the Browns spent five picks at the wide receiver position. All this to go with the biggest flaw on the roster: quarterback. Former 2012 second overall pick Robert Griffin III currently tops the depth chart. However, Griffin has looked extremely mediocre since his amazing rookie season. According to Pro Football Focus, Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com has reported Griffin has had too many "look at me" moments and seems more concerned with himself than learning the offense and becoming the starting quarterback the Browns have liong been searching for. I expect Griffin to be well below average this season, as well as the rest of this Browns roster. The future may be bright, but this season will just be another rebuilding year. Hang in there, Cleveland.

Record Projection: 2-14

Pittsburgh Steelers:

What could’ve been for this loaded Pittsburgh Steelers squad? Had it not been for crucial injuries to star running back Le’Veon Bell and star wide receiver Antonio Brown, this team could’ve been a serious Super Bowl contender. The trio of Bell, Brown, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger might just be the best in the NFL. Hell, this offense might just be the best in the NFL, even with the suspension of third-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Matched with an above average defense, I fully expect this Steelers squad to not only lock up this division, but challenge for a top seed for the AFC playoffs. The talent surrounding this roster has created a hype train so massive, the Los Vegas Super Bowl odds have given the Steelers the third best odds to win the Super Bowl at 10-1.

As previously mentioned, the three headed monster that is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell, and wide receiver Antonio Brown has sky high potential. A healthy Bell is the best running back in the NFL. In 16 games in 2014, Bell racked up over 2,200 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. In six games alone last season he managed nearly 700 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. Completely healthy, Bell should be able to return to dominant form, especially in this Steelers offense. Brown is the best wide receiver in the NFL. Last season he grabbed 136 receptions (tied for most in the NFL), 1,834 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns in the regular season. He did this despite a couple weeks of poor quarterback play due to an unhealthy Ben Roethlisberger. A healthy Roethlisberger could help Brown break a couple NFL receiving records this season, and Roethlisberger himself can challenge for 5,000 passing yards.

The defense is a bag of mixed results. The front seven, headlined by linebackers Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons, should be hard to run on. Second-year pro Bud Dupree should be able to step up his production after grabbing four sacks through 16 games as a rookie. The defensive line should also be stout, featuring studs Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt. This front seven will hopefully mask what should be a below average at best secondary. Cornerback William Gay will be the team’s best player in the secondary, and that spells trouble. The Steelers also felt pressed to spend their top two draft selections on cornerbacks Artie Burns and Sean Davis. It will be a hit or miss secondary. Altogether, this Steelers offense will be hard to match, but the secondary might force some shoot-out games for the Steelers. As long as they can remain relatively healthy, look for this Steelers squad to compete for the Super Bowl more seriously than the rest of this division.

Record Projection: 13-3

Division Overview:

The AFC North should return to prominence this season with a projected three teams with double digit wins. Those teams could also be serious Super Bowl contenders with offenses and defenses to go toe-to-toe with opposing teams. The Cleveland Browns may be competitive with their young roster, but I personally don’t expect too much from them. All-in-all, the AFC North could wind up as the best division in the NFL once again. Look out for these teams.

AFC North Projected Standings:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 13-3 (4-2 in division)

2. Cincinnati Bengals: 12-4 (4-2 in division)

3. Baltimore Ravens: 10-6 (4-2 in division)

4. Cleveland Browns: 2-14 (0-6 in division)

Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.