1. Cincinnati Bengals

There are a lot of key contributors on offense who will be due for new contracts after this season. This is the time for them to capitalize on getting back to the Super Bowl.

2. Baltimore Ravens

QB Lamar Jackson got his extension and was provided an influx of new receiving targets. Now it’s time to show what he can do with it.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

This could be one of the best Steeler teams in recent memory under Mike Tomlin. Unfortunately they play in an ultra-competitive AFC North.

4. Cleveland Browns

With a full season of Deshaun Watson at quarterback, all eyes will be on Cleveland and whether they made a huge mistake.

Head Coach: Zac Taylor

Key Position: Secondary

They lost both starting safeties in Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell in free agency. Nick Scott was signed to replace one spot and the Bengals first round pick in 2022, Dax Hill will take over the other. CB Chidobe Awuzie returns from a season ending injury last season and is highly underrated since signing with them in 2021. If Cam Taylor-Britt takes control of the other cornerback position, this unit might not miss Bates and Bell as much as folks think they will.

Key Acquisitions: OL Orlando Brown Jr. (Kansas City Chiefs), TE Irv Smith Jr. (Minnesota Vikings), DB Nick Scott (LA Rams)

Key Rookies: DE Myles Murphy, CB DJ Turner II, DB Jordan Battle

Head Coach: John Harbaugh

Key Position: Quarterback

This is it. This is the time for QB Lamar Jackson to prove he is worth the new contract he received in the offseason. Baltimore invested heavily in the receiving unit by signing Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor. Then they drafted WR Zay Flowers in the first round after they had extended Jackson. TE Mark Andrews is still Jackson’s favorite target and will be expected to continue his Pro Bowl production. If former first round pick WR Rashod Bateman stays healthy and produces, it will be a welcome bonus for the Ravens.

Key Acquisitions: WR Nelson Agholor (New England Patriots), WR Odell Beckham Jr. (LA Rams), DE/LB Jadeveon Clowney (Cleveland Browns), CB Ronald Darby (Denver Broncos), CB Rock Ya-Sin (Las Vegas Raiders)

Key Rookies: WR Zay Flowers, LB Trenton Simpson, DE/LB Tavius Robinson

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin

Key Position: Offense

There were a lot of positives from this unit even though the results weren’t ideal. QB Kenny Pickett took control of the job and showed signs of being a good-to-great one going forward. His chemistry with WR George Pickens could have both of them having breakout seasons. RB Najee Harris is the perfect complement to Pickett and is a good pass catcher out of the backfield. The offensive line is quickly becoming a strength with the signing of Isaac Seumalo from Philadelphia and the drafting of OT Broderick Jones in the first round.

Key Acquisitions: LB Kwon Alexander (NY Jets), LB Cole Holcomb (Washington Commanders), DB Keanu Neal (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), CB Patrick Peterson (Minnesota Vikings), LB Elandon Roberts (Miami Dolphins), WR Allen Robinson II (LA Rams), OL Isaac Seumalo (Philadelphia Eagles)

Key Rookies: OT Broderick Jones, CB Joey Porter Jr., DL Keeanu Benton, TE Darnell Washington, LB Nick Herbig

Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski

Key Position: Defensive Line

This unit was largely responsible for Cleveland being the 25th ranked rush defense and tied for 27th in total sacks. DE Myles Garrett had 16 of the teams 34 total sacks. That can’t happen again. Garrett is going to have another 15+ sack season, but the Browns need at least one or two others preferably to lighten the load. Za’Darius Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo were signed in free agency to do just that. Smith had 10 sacks last season and Ogbo had 5. DT Dalvin Tomlinson should do wonders for the run defense and the pass rush by occupying blockers.

Key Acquisitions: TE Jordan Akins (Houston Texans), WR Marquise Goodwin (Seattle Seahawks), DL Shelby Harris (Seattle Seahawks), DB Rodney McLeod Jr. (Indianapolis Colts), WR Elijah Moore (NY Jets), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (Houston Texans), DE Za’Darius Smith (Minnesota Vikings), DB Juan Thornhill (Kansas City Chiefs), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (Minnesota Vikings)

Key Rookies: WR Cedric Tillman, DT Siaki Ika, DE Isaiah McGuire, CB Cameron Mitchell