1. Baltimore Ravens
QB Joe Flacco is now the face of the franchise after a stellar Super Bowl run.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
Huge opportunity with Baltimore and Pittsburgh having many question marks.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
An inconsistent O-line, no rushing attack and a lack of playmakers on defense spells no playoffs.
4. Cleveland Browns
Two winning seasons since their return in 1999 and only one playoff appearance. Enough said.
Ravens
Head Coach: John Harbaugh
Key Position: Defense – There is a new identity to the franchise and many new additions to the 17th ranked defense last season. With the departures of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, Baltimore’s defense will take a hit. They weren’t that great with them last year, but a Super Bowl title debunks all that criticism.
Key Acquisitions: DE Marcus Spears (Dallas Cowboys), DT Chris Canty (New York Giants), S Michael Huff (Oakland Raiders), LB Elvis Dumervil (Denver Broncos), LB Daryl Smith (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Key Rookies: S Matt Elam, LB Arthur Brown
Bengals
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis
Key Position: Offense – The Bengals first two picks of the draft were used to help get the offense going after being ranked 22nd overall (18th in rushing, 17th in passing). There’s far too much talent here for them to not be ranked in the top 10 in the league.
Key Acquisitions: LB James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Key Rookies: TE Tyler Eifert, RB Giovani Bernard, S Shawn Williams
Steelers
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
Key Position: Running Back – Only the Green Bay Packers seem to have gone longer without having a 1,000 yard rusher. They need to get back to running the ball (26th in rushing) and take less pressure off QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Key Acquisitions: CB William Gay (Arizona Cardinals), QB Bruce Gradkowski (Cincinnati Bengals)
Key Rookies: LB Jarvis Jones, RB Le’Veon Bell
Browns
Head Coach: Rob Chudzinski (Carolina Panthers)
Key Position: Offense – It will be hard to improve the 25th ranked offense with a new coaching staff, but QB Brandon Weeden should thrive in new coordinator Norv Turner’s system. If not the Browns will have to look elsewhere.
Key Acquisitions: DT Desmond Bryant (Oakland Raiders), LB Paul Kruger (Baltimore Ravens), LB Quentin Groves (Arizona Cardinals), QB Jason Campbell (Chicago Bears)
Key Rookies: LB Barkevious Mingo, CB Leon McFadden
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