The first three days of the new league year have seen the AFC North undergo substantial change.
Since Wednesday, multiple teams in the division have lost one or more of their significant players (Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns) while the others have either held onto their biggest free agents (Cincinnati Bengals) or made a key addition (Pittsburgh Steelers).
While more change should come in the upcoming weeks and months, here’s where the AFC North stands at present.
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Baltimore Ravens
Headed out: Kelechi Osemele, Matt Schaub
Arriving: Ben Watson
Staying put: Justin Tucker
More so than any of their other free agents, the Ravens did not want to lose versatile offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele, one of the league’s best young blockers. Osemele’s defection weakens the interior of a line charged with protecting the reconstructed knee of quarterback Joe Flacco, a bad break for Baltimore.
While Osemele walked out the door, general manager Ozzie Newsome invested in 35-year-old tight end Ben Watson. With the suspension of Nick Boyle for PEDs and Crockett Gillmore ending last season on injured reserve, Watson could prove useful. Still, for a team that spent a premium draft pick on Maxx Williams less than a year ago and announced plans to convert Darren Waller to tight end, his signing seems curious.
Cincinnati Bengals
Headed out: Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu
Arriving: N/A
Staying put: George Iloka, Vincent Rey, Eric Winston
The Bengals have yet to sign a significant player from another team, but they still look good coming out of the first few days of free agency. At the last minute, they found a way to retain rising star George Iloka as well as starting linebacker Vincent Rey, two key cogs on their defense. Cincinnati also re-signed Eric Winston, a reliable reserve lineman.
Moving in the other direction, the Bengals lost two of their top three wideouts to massive deals elsewhere, but neither Marvin Jones nor Mohamed Sanu fall into the “irreplaceable” category. Whether via the draft or later during the free-agency process, the offense can find suitable replacements and keep chugging forward.
Cleveland Browns
Headed out: Travis Benjamin, Tashaun Gipson, Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz
Arriving: N/A
Staying put: N/A
The changes in the coaching staff and front office haven’t altered one of the NFL’s undeniable truths: Good players rarely want to play for the Browns.
When faced with the choice of re-signing with Cleveland or joining another team, each of the Browns’ top four free agents elected to bolt. Tashaun Gipson hasn’t received much attention outside of AFC North, but he has developed into one of the league’s most promising young safeties, a difficult player to replace. Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz’s departures weaken a line that previously represented the one bright spot of Cleveland’s roster. Meanwhile, the receiving corps looks barren without Travis Benjamin. At least the team no longer has to worry about Johnny Manziel after releasing the embattled quarterback on Friday.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Headed out: Tyler Murphy
Arriving: Ladarius Green
Staying put: Ramon Foster
The Steelers lost the least and gained the most of any team in the division thus far. Ladarius Green looks like an effective replacement for the retired Heath Miller and didn’t cost nearly as much as many predicted. Pittsburgh also retained starting guard Ramon Foster on an affordable three-year deal. Once Le’Veon Bell returns from his knee injury, the offense should find itself near or at the top of the league in scoring.
At the same time, the Steelers probably don’t have too many more moves left before the draft. According to OverTheCap.com, the team has just over $3 million remaining in cap space. With a draft class left to pay, those resources can’t go towards another splashy free agent.
Jason B. Hirschhorn is an award-winning sports journalist and Pro Football Writers of America member. He has bylines at NFL.com, SB Nation, Sports Illustrated, and other outlets.