AFC North Preview
Charles Robinson and Terez Paylor preview the AFC North. Subscribe to the Yahoo Sports NFL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Video Transcript
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CHARLES ROBINSON: The AFC North. And I bring up the AFC North because-- you wrote on this when you talked about the winners of the offseason and free agency. And you know, I think we've touched on it a couple of times in the show. But I have had a difficult time not looking at Cleveland, and really liking what I've seen from the Cleveland Browns. I think sitting there at 10, having added what they added in free agency, you know, the regime change.
Now we've seen the early brushstrokes of Andrew Berry yet, general manager. But you know what? It's important for him, fundamentally, to get this draft pick right. Because if Cleveland can turn the corner, they're not going to be at 10 in the future, right? And there's going to be some guys available at 10 this year.
TEREZ PAYLOR: I was looking at the roster, and I'm just like, god, there's not a lot of holes here. They just need, like, competent coaching. Interestingly enough, though, when I was looking at this whole division, boy, I think this is going to be a really competitive division. And I just-- poor Cincinnati. I just-- I think Cincinnati could be a better football team and, like, have, like, basically, the same record. This division is going to be brutal.
They did sign eight free agents. Some really good players too. They're trying to be competitive. DJ Reader, good player. He's 350 pounds. Nose tackle, solid player. Got some pass rush ability. Trae Waynes, he's OK. Also signed Mackensie Alexander. Vonn Bell added value, right?
Like, they've added players. They're trying to be competitive, right? But they still don't have much at linebacker, and it's just hard to imagine this team being much better, record-wise, than they were last year. Even with Joe Burrow, even though I think they could put up points. This division is brutal, and I think this division is brutal because I don't think a fall-off is coming from Baltimore. And Pittsburgh, right? Pittsburgh is going to be good if Ben Roethlisberger plays all 16 games.
CHARLES ROBINSON: Yeah, I think it's a brutal division. I think it could be-- I think it could be-- you know, like, with Baltimore, what I'm interested in seeing is it's just so hard to improve. One thing I'll say about Cincinnati that you kind of brought up here-- this idea of, you know, the unthinkable. There's just no way you can pass up on Joe Burrow. You know, Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields are probably 1, 2 next year.
TEREZ PAYLOR: I almost feel like, blindly, I'd rather take Chase Young and one of those two quarterbacks because I know what I'm getting. Like, those are two bona fide stars in back-to-back drafts. But here's the thing. I think Burrow's is going to be really good too. So it just depends on how much you love the guy. Regardless, it's going to be a long year in Cincinnati.
Baltimore, you mentioned, they don't have a lot of holes. They don't. I do think they could add a second-level linebacker. I do think they could add an edge rusher. You know, just continue to just fortify areas of the defense. I also think Lamar Jackson could continue to be aided. Wouldn't mind seeing another receiver there.
I know they like Miles Boykin and Marquise Brown. That's cool. I get it. But this is a great receiver draft. Maybe get another one that can stretch the field. And then, also, losing Marshal Yanda stinks. Marshal Yanda's a great football player.
CHARLES ROBINSON: Yeah, that's what sticks out in my head. Yeah.
TEREZ PAYLOR: He's a great football player. So another power block and guard. They're positioned to get one. I think they should.
CHARLES ROBINSON: If I was a general manager-- we all play this game. But I'm going to tell you right now, if I was a general manager and I get the guy that I believe is the quarterback and I hit on that pick, I do the Bill Polian and Peyton Manning approach, and just keep building offensively around that quarterback for at least a couple of years.
TEREZ PAYLOR: I like your-- I like the fact you mentioned adding to what was around Lamar Jackson. Because I think, like, the Steelers should do that too because they're trying to win. Like, they are in win-now mode with Ben Roethlisberger's age.
CHARLES ROBINSON: Yeah, absolutely.
TEREZ PAYLOR: You know, coming off the injury, I think you got to protect him. They really need, like, a high-level-- like, another high-level young guard. Like, the offensive line's good, but it's getting older. Also, a receiver. Can we please get one more bona fide, dyed-in-the-wool deep threat? Just to make sure Ben ha-- because we know Ben loves to go up top. Can we do that?
I think losing Javon Hargrave sucks. That's not great. I think they should try to fortify that. Obviously, need an off-ball linebacker to develop next to Devin Bush Jr.
CHARLES ROBINSON: You know, Pittsburgh, the one thing, too, is I want to see, with backup quarterback-- I still am not sold on Duck Hodges or Mason Rudolph being the answer. I still wish, whether it was Cam Newton or--
TEREZ PAYLOR: I like James there. You said that a couple weeks ago.
CHARLES ROBINSON: James, right. Yeah. Yeah.
TEREZ PAYLOR: I really, really love James there.
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