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The AFC North was the only division in the NFL to have all four teams over .500 in 2023 and each of the teams have been aggressive in the early stages of this year's free agency. Below, Draft Nation takes a look at the players added by each team during the first wave of free agent signings:
Baltimore Ravens
Signed QB- Josh Johnson to a one-year contract.
Signed RB- Derrick Henry to a two-year contract.
Signed WR- Nelson Agholor to a one-year extension
Re-signed DL- Justin Madubuikie to a four-year contract.
Re-signed DL- Brent Urban to a one-year contract.
Re-signed LB- Malik Harrison to a one-year contract.
Re-signed CB- Arthur Maulet to a one-year contract.
Signed LB/ST- Chris Board to a one-year contract
The Ravens' biggest move to date is bringing in star running back Derrick Henry from the Tennessee Titans. Gus Edwards left for Los Angeles to play with the Chargers and J.K. Dobbins is also on his way out, so the signing of Henry fills a need for the Ravens. Cornerback and the offensive line are still the team’s biggest draft needs.
Cincinnati Bengals
Signed RB- Zack Moss to a two-year contract.
WR- Tee Higgins received the non-exclusive franchise tag for 2024.
Re-signed WR- Trenton Irwin to a one-year contract.
Signed TE- Mike Gesicki to a one-year contract.
Re-signed TE- Tanner Hudson to a one-year contract.
Re-signed TE- Drew Sample to a three-year contract.
Signed OT- Trent Brown to a one-year contract.
Re-signed OG- Cody Ford to a one-year contract.
Signed DT- Sheldon Rankins to a two-year contract.
Re-signed LB- Akeem Davis-Gaither to a one-year contract.
Signed S- Vonn Bell to a one-year contract.
Signed S- Geno Stone to a two-year contract.
Bringing back wide receiver Tee Higgins via the use of a franchise tag was clearly the Bengals big offseason move and will keep the team's one-two punch of Jamar Chase/Tee Higgins on the field together for at least one more season. Signing Higgins long term is the next step. veteran Mike Gesicki will help solidify the tight end group and give Joe Burrow another weapon to throw to. The offensive line is still the biggest draft need even after the signing of free agent Trent Brown. More is needed to keep star QB Joe Burrow upright and healthy.
Cleveland Browns
Signed QB- Jameis Winston to a one-year contract.
Signed RB- Nyheim Hines to a one-year contract.
Acquired WR- Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Denver Broncos for a 5th round and a 6th round pick.
Re-signed WR- James Proche to a one-year contract.
Re-signed TE- Adam Trautman to a one-year contract.
Re-signed G- Michael Dunn to a one-year contract.
Re-signed Edge- Za’Darius Smith to a two-year contract.
Re-signed DL- Shelby Harris to a one-year contract.
Re-signed DL- Maurice Hurst to a one-year contract.
Signed DL- Quinton Jefferson to a one-year contract.
Signed LB- Devin Bush to a one-year contract.
Signed LB- Jordan Hicks to a two-year contract.
Signed CB- Tony Brown to a one-year contract.
Re-signed P- Corey Bojorquez to a two-year contract.
Cleveland added veteran quarterback Jameis Winston to replace the departing Joe Flacco, who left for free agency to the Colts. The Browns were able to fill in for the losses of starting linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki but the question remains—will Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush be able to match Walker and Takitaki's combined production in 2024? Signing wide receiver Jerry Jeudy helps to add depth to the wide receiving corp and give the Browns some positional flexibility in the first round.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Acquired QB- Justin Fields in a trade with the Chicago Bears (conditional 2025 draft pick)
Signed QB- Russell Wilson to a one-year contract.
Signed WR- Van Jefferson to a one-year contract.
Re-signed DL- Montravius Adams to a two-year contract.
Signed LB- Patrick Queen to a three-year contract.
Acquired CB- Donte Jackson and a 6th round pick from Carolina for WR-Diontae Johnson and a 7th round pick.
Signed S- DeShon Elliott to a two-year contract.
Signed S- Miles Killebrew to a two-year extension.
Signed P- Cameron Johnston to a three-year contract.
Re-signed LS- Christian Kuntz to a three-year contract.
After trading quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Steelers have totally revamped their quarterback room. The trading of Diontae Johnson to Carolina pushes the need to draft a wide receiver higher up the board but in the eyes of Draft Nation’s experts, the center position is still the team's biggest need, followed by tackle and wide receiver.
Marc Dykton3d
Draft Nation Staff5d
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