As we wrap our heads around a potential landmark year in offseason moves, The Undroppables will be breaking down each division team by team, highlighting the key players at each skill position for their offense, and what could change for them in 2021. This time around, Michael Duncan is back to cover the AFC North.
You can check out our previous division outlooks at the corresponding links:
Pittsburgh Steelers
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Ben Roethlisberger, QB14 (18.48 PPG)
- RB: James Conner, RB26 (11.3 PPG)
- WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR18 (11.6 PPG)
- TE: Eric Ebron, TE15 (7.6 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Ben Roethlisberger
- RB: Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland
- WR: Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool
- TE: Eric Ebron
Potential Offseason Changes
The biggest change we thought we might see from the Steelers this offseason was the retirement of Big Ben, but with him coming back for another season, the biggest question mark now lies with pending free agent WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. At only 25 years old, with the production level he’s had in his time in Pittsburgh, Smith-Schuster is typically the type of player that wouldn’t make it anywhere near free agency. However, given Pittsburgh’s current cap situation and receiving corps, this has seemed to be the expected outcome for the past year.
JuJu won’t be the only offensive playmaker hitting free agency though, as he is likely to be joined by running back James Conner, who has struggled with injuries since his breakout season in 2018. To fill out the trifecta, a name to keep an eye on as a potential cap casualty is tight end Eric Ebron, who has a cap hit of $8.5M in 2021 with a dead cap hit of only $2.5M if he is cut. Also of note is the retirement of long-time center Maurkice Pouncey.
Free Agency and the Draft
Currently, the Steelers are projected to have around $6.2M in cap space heading into the new league year. With so little space, I don’t expect them to be in a position to make any splash free agent moves. If any big changes happen to the Steelers expected offensive starters this offseason, it will most likely be through the draft. My guess would be that the 25th overall pick is put toward the offensive line or defense, where there are more holes compared to offensive skill positions, and they will most likely be out of range to pick a future franchise QB.
With two picks on Day 2 however, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them draft another RB, even after taking Anthony McFarland in the 4th round last year. Pittsburg may also be a great landing spot for one of the top TEs after Kyle Pitts, such as Brevin Jordan or Pat Freiermuth.
Baltimore Ravens
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Lamar Jackson, QB10 (22.79 PPG)
- RB: J.K. Dobbins, RB21 (10.6 PPG)
- WR: Marquise Brown, WR34 (9.6 PPG)
- TE: Mark Andrews, TE5 (10.1 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Lamar Jackson
- RB: J.K. Dobbins
- WR: Marquise Brown
- TE: Mark Andrews
Potential Offseason Changes
In an offseason as tumultuous as this one, the Ravens shouldn’t see nearly as many changes as most other teams. Their most notable free agents are on the defensive side of the ball, and although running back Mark Ingram will not be returning to the team in 2021, this likely paves the way for the emergence of second-year running back J.K. Dobbins.
Backup running back Gus Edwards is a restricted free agent as well, but even if he does return to the team, the Ravens have made it clear they can support two running backs in their run-heavy scheme. One situation to keep an eye on is that of offensive tackle Orlando Brown. Although the Ravens just recently inked Ronnie Staley to a new contract, Brown is a good player and requested a trade due to wanting to only play left tackle.
Free Agency and the Draft
Head Coach John Harbaugh has come out and said that he won’t beg top free agent WRs to come to Baltimore this offseason, but he also said that getting a big-bodied physical WR would be nice, or even another TE in a similar role. Most likely this is not somewhere we will see one of the top WRs go this offseason, based on the limited opportunity in the passing game. The Ravens have deployed multiple TEs a lot in the Lamar Jackson-led offense so we could even see a veteran like Zach Ertz join Mark Andrews in the TE room, even if it’s not ideal for fantasy.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the Orlando Brown situation, a smart organization like the Ravens might see right tackle as a possible need to address late in the 1st round, while possibly drafting depth at the wide receiver or tight end position later in the draft. There’s also the possibility that an organization that has historically valued its defense spends their late-first round pick on a possible difference maker in the secondary, a year after drafting their linebacker of the future in Patrick Queen.
Cleveland Browns
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Baker Mayfield, QB17 (15.98 PPG)
- RB: Nick Chubb, RB9 (16.6 PPG)
- WR: Jarvis Landry, WR36 (10.1 PPG)
- TE: Austin Hooper, TE21 (7.0 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Baker Mayfield
- RB: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt
- WR: Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr.
- TE: Austin Hooper
Potential Offseason Changes
Another year, another “OBJ is on the move” rumor. According to reports, the Browns are open to trading Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason, so once again we will spend the next few months wondering if he’ll be suiting up for his current team in the upcoming season. For now though, I’ll assume that Beckham will be playing for the Browns in 2021. Outside of OBJ, Rashard Higgins is an unrestricted free agent, but wants to return to Cleveland. If the Browns decide they’d rather move on, we could see an open opportunity for second-year wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
The other question mark for the Browns this offseason is most likely the tight end position, with no shortage of options on their current roster. Austin Hooper should be locked in for this upcoming season, as is second-year TE Harrison Bryant, with many wondering if we will finally see David Njoku be moved this offseason given the depth they already have at the position.
Free Agency and the Draft
Thanks to a good amount of rollover cap from 2020, the Browns are well positioned this offseason to spend money when many other teams may struggle. The majority of their big free agents are on the defensive side of the ball, and that’s where I assume they will keep their focus during the free agency period. While competing for the services of a talent like Kenny Golladay is certainly on the table, I’m not sure that that is something this regime would see as a huge priority, especially with OBJ still under contract for this season.
This thought process rolls right into the draft where, for the first time in forever, they have a pick in the latter half of the first round. I would expect the Browns to focus not only on the defensive side of the ball, but continuing to shore up the offensive line, which was a priority last year. While I don’t expect a WR in the first round, it won’t be off the table given OBJ’s injury history and contract situation combined with the depth of the 2021 WR class. I would also expect them to add a well-rounded running back on day 3 to compete for touches behind the duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Cincinnati Bengals
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Joe Burrow, QB25 (17.87 PPG)
- RB: Giovani Bernard, RB31 (8.4 PPG)
- WR: Tee Higgins, WR30 (10.1 PPG)
- TE: Drew Sample, TE33 (3.7 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Joe Burrow
- RB: Joe Mixon
- WR: Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd
- TE: Drew Sample
Potential Offseason Changes
With Joe Burrow as their franchise quarterback in hand, the real question going into this offseason is how the Bengals plan to support him. Joe Mixon is under contract, and second-year receiver Tee Higgins certainly looks to be a running mate with Burrow for many years down the road, with Tyler Boyd being a legitimate threat from the slot. Longtime Bengal A.J. Green will hit free agency this offseason, and there are a few other notable names that could end up being cap casualties, even with the Bengals having plenty of spending room.
On the offense, two of these names may be Giovanni Bernard with a dead cap hit of less than $1M, and C.J. Uzomah, whom would save the Bengals over $5M if cut this offseason. While these have been notable names in the past, overall it seems as though the core of the offensive skill position players are in no danger of changing this offseason.
Free Agency and the Draft
With money to spend, draft capital aplenty and holes to fill, this will most likely be an exciting offseason for Bengals fans. Their top priority should be the protection of Joe Burrow by investing in the offensive line. Whether that be through free agency or the draft, they need to shore it up in order to get the most out of Burrow and Mixon this season. Along with that idea is investing in the guys who will be catching Burrow’s throws. While Higgins looks legit and Boyd is a great safety valve, their receiving corps doesn’t go much deeper than that. With another deep class of incoming rookies, I fully expect the Bengals to add to their receiving room this April.
There have been a lot of rumors of reuniting Burrow with his college running mate Ja’Marr Chase, but I’m not sure if WR is something they address that early. We could see them add a premium talent on the offensive line in Penei Sewell, or perhaps even the top TE in the draft in Kyle Pitts. My vote would be for Pitts, as he seems to be a generational talent at a position where the Bengals have very little talent under contract. They could always add a WR later in the draft and probably get a great talent due to the depth of the class. One way or another, the Bengals need to address their offensive line in a meaningful way this offseason.
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