With the Position Breakdown series in full swing, the next division under the microscope is the AFC North. Here’s a defensive position-by-position breakdown of the AFC North, with “the best” at each position followed by “the rest” in descending order.
Check out the offensive breakdown here.
AFC North Breakdown by Position: The Defense
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Best: CIN The Rest: BAL, CLE, PIT
Some fans may be wondering how I could have the Bengals ranked first in the division in terms of defense lines. Last season Cincinnati’s defense tallied a meager 20 sacks over the entire season, a statistic in which they ranked dead last. Both J.J. Watt and Justin Houston had more sacks by themselves. But no AFC North team’s defensive line was really all that good last season. Plus Cinci added defensive end Michael Johnson this offseason, and while he might not be elite anymore (if 2014 is any indication), he will certainly be an upgrade. The Bengals line now has all four starters from their 2012 and 2013 seasons, and in those two seasons their line was incredibly formidable. Also keep in mind that defensive tackle Geno Atkins seems to be 100% healthy now, and that could help elevate their entire defensive line.
The Ravens traded tackle Haloti Ngata this offseason, mainly because they love what they have in defensive end Timmy Jernigan. Ngata may no longer be the elite player he once was, but his absence will be missed in Baltimore. That being said, Jernigan can play, and he, and the rest of the Ravens defensive line, proved last season, during a four game stretch, that they can play well without Ngata. Jernigan is entering his third season, and in 2014 he tallied four sacks, despite starting just three games, and missing four games. Baltimore’s line should be really good against the run this season. They will need to prove they can also be effective against the pass. But the pieces are there for the Ravens line to make life very difficult for opposing offenses.
The Browns defensive line was atrocious against the run last season, as they allowed 2,265 total rushing yards, and gave up a league worst 4.5 yards per carry. But the Browns drafted tackle Danny Shelton in the first round of this year’s draft, and while it is way too soon to know just what kind of an impact he’ll have on Cleveland’s defense, there is reason for Browns fans to be optimistic. The former Washington Husky may have had a slow 40 time at the Combine, but there is the potential for him to make a real difference on the Browns line. Besides the young talent, the Browns also have veteran tackle Phil Taylor and veteran defensive end Randy Starks. There certainly is reason to believe that the Browns defensive line will be much better in 2015, but they are young, and Shelton is unproven in the NFL, so I can only rank them third in the division right now.
The Steelers have long been known for their defense, but their defense has been less than stellar in the recent seasons. Former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is no longer in Pittsburgh, and Keith Butler has taken over. LeBeau has been largely successful during his career in the NFL, but Butler’s presence should help make an immediate impact on the Steelers defensive line. He certainly has some potential to work with in defensive ends Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward. After recording five sacks in 2013, and 7.5 sacks in 2014, don’t be surprised if Heyward gets double digit sacks in 2015. Pittsburgh’s defensive line can only be ranked as OK right now, and therefore last in the division, but there is a lot of potential.
LINEBACKER
The Best: BAL The Rest: CLE, PIT, CIN
Ravens linebacker Daryl Smith is not a household name, and he’s not flashy, but he gets the job done. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket spent his first nine seasons in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since 2013 Smith has been in Baltimore, and in those two seasons he has recorded 251 tackles, six sacks and four interceptions. Then there’s guys like C.J. Mosley (possibly the best linebacker in the AFC North), Terrell Suggs, and Elvis Dumervil, who combined to tally 231 tackles, 32 sacks, and two interceptions last season. John Harbaugh’s team has a seriously good group of linebackers.
The Browns have some talent at linebacker, including Paul Kruger, who had 11 sacks last season. The former Ravens linebacker also led the Browns defense in forced fumbles in 2014, with four. Cleveland also has Karlos Dansby, who is entering his 12th season in the league. While Dansby may not be as quick, or agile as he once was, he can certainly play an important part in the Browns defense this season. The Browns will especially need him to help Cleveland’s defense against the run, which was dreadful last season. Craig Robertson, who had 99 tackles and two interceptions in 2014, could also make an impact this season.
The Steelers are impressive at linebacker as well, with players like Lawrence Timmons (although it remains to be seen how he plays with turf toe) and Ryan Shazier. Timmons is absolutely one the leaders of the Steelers defense, and in 2014 he amassed 132 tackles and two sacks. If Timmons is limited at all, that will hurt the Steelers, but there is some young talent at linebacker, including Jarvis Jones and Bud Dupree. Shazier had to deal with injuries during his rookie season, but he is now fully healthy. Look for him to show off both his speed and athleticism. He posted 27 tackles in just five games last season. If he can stay healthy, Shazier should prove just how talented he is this season. I probably would have ranked the Steelers second, but the turf toe injury to Timmons made me rank them third.
The Bengals also have some linebackers who can play. Vontaze Burfict is talented, but he is coming back from microfracture surgery, and it is uncertain as to how he’ll be able to perform in 2015. A.J. Hawk had 90 tackles, 0.5 sacks and defensed two passes last season, while with the Green Bay Packers. The former Ohio State Buckeye won a Super Bowl with the Packers, and hopefully that rubs off on the other members of the Bengals, who can’t win a single playoff game. Rey Maualuga had 59 tackles and one interception last season, along with four passes defensed. The Bengals have some good linebackers, but one team had to be ranked last, and Cincinnati doesn’t seem as talented as the other three teams.
CORNERBACK
The Best: CLE The Rest: CIN, BAL, PIT
The Browns have one of the best cornerbacks in the league in Joe Haden. The former Florida Gator is the very definition of a shutdown corner. He’s not afraid to cover an opposing team’s number one receiver, and in 2014 he tallied 73 tackles and three interceptions. In five seasons in the NFL Haden has 307 tackles and 16 interceptions. Cleveland also has Tramon Williams, who played his first eight seasons in Green Bay. Williams had 71 tackles, three interceptions, and 13 passes defended in 2014. The Browns are talented at corner going into the season.
Cincinnati cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick and Leon Hall aren’t slouches at corner. Kirkpatrick had three interceptions and seven passes defended while starting only five games last season. Hall, entering his ninth season, had 67 tackles, one interception and eight passes defended in 2014. Even if Hall has lost a step or two, he is still a dependable, physical corner. Adam Jones has been a knucklehead, but he did have 63 tackles, three interceptions, and 11 passes defensed last season.
Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith is athletic and talented. The former Colorado Buffalo also has the size to cover the bigger wide receivers in the league. Smith’s issue is he needs to stay healthy. If he can, he could be instrumental in the success Baltimore has a chance to enjoy this season. Lardarius Webb is another talented corner who has battled injuries during this career, including a torn ACL. He’s still really good against the run, but he may never be the same player he was before the injuries. He’s also currently struggling with a hamstring issue. The Ravens have talent at cornerback, but health is a concern, so I can only rank them third.
The Steelers have William Gay who had 69 tackles and three interceptions, along with 12 passes defended, in 2014. Gay has the talent to be a playmaker, and the Steelers are hoping he really steps up in 2015. Cortez Allen had 41 tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defended last season. Gay and Allen are good, but the Steelers are probably the weakest at corner in the division.
SAFETY
The Best: CLE The Rest: CIN, BAL, PIT
The Browns have one of the better safeties in the NFL, and the best safety in the division, in Tashaun Gipson. He had 52 tackles, six interceptions, and forced a fumble, and made the Pro Bowl as a result. Gipson is a great cover guy, and he proved it last season. When quarterbacks targeted him, they had a rating of just 41.9. He may have been undrafted out of Wyoming, but Gipson has proven he belongs in the NFL. Donte Whitner had 106 tackles and an interception last season. The Browns have some talent at safety.
The Bengals have a couple of safeties who can play as well, in George Iloka and Reggie Nelson. Iloka had 74 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defended last season. Iloka may not be the best in coverage, but his size and strength, and knack for finding the football allow him to excel at stopping the run. Nelson tallied 94 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes defended. The former Florida Gator is an intelligent player, with a high football IQ. At 5-foot-11, 201 pounds he may not be the biggest guy, but he knows how to make plays.
Ravens safety Will Hill missed some time last season due to a suspension, but when he was on the field he proved he was one of the better safeties in the AFC North. He is incredibly athletic and really strong. He’s a good tackler, and he’s shown great range when he’s dropped back in pass coverage. In 2014 Hill had 41 tackles and an interception, despite his six game suspension. Hill just needs to make sure he stays out of trouble so he can stay on the field. Baltimore also has Matt Elam (50 tackles in 2014) and Kendrick Lewis (84 tackles and two interceptions last season).
The Steelers ranked last based on their cornerbacks, and it is more of the same with their safeties. The Steelers defensive ends and linebackers had better get some pressure on opposing quarterbacks, because Pittsburgh’s secondary could struggle. Mike Tomlin’s team does have Shamarko Thomas and Mike Mitchell (71 tackles in 2014), but on paper, the Steelers have the weakest group of safeties in the division.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Best: BAL The Rest: PIT, CIN, CLE
Baltimore is probably the best in the division overall. I think they have the best kicking and coverage units in the division, but they are probably in the middle of the pack when it comes to kick/punt returns.
The Steelers might not be the best in any single aspect of special teams, but they’ll be near the top when it comes to kicking and returns. And they will probably be in the middle when it comes to coverage.
The Bengals should have the strongest return game in the division, but they might be the weakest in coverage. If Mike Nugent can pick up where he left off last season (made of 16 of his last 17 attempts), their kicking game should be good. But if Nugent falters like he did earlier last season that could be a problem.
The Browns rank the lowest because they may end up having the weakest kicking and return units in the division. They’ll probably be pretty good in coverage, but that’s not enough to move them up in the rankings.
COACHING
The Best: PIT The Rest: BAL, CIN, CLE
This is a two horse race. Yes, Marvin Lewis has led the Bengals to the playoffs the last four seasons, but Cincinnati hasn’t won a single playoff game. The race for the top spot came down to Mike Tomlin (Steelers) and John Harbaugh (Ravens). They both have roughly the same winning percentage (.641 in eight seasons for Tomlin and .643 in seven seasons for Harbaugh), and each has won a Super Bowl.
I ranked Tomlin ahead of Harbaugh because he has two conference championships (one more than Harbaugh) and four division championships (two more than Harbaugh). But Harbaugh is a great coach too, and you’d trust either him or Tomlin at the helm of your favorite team.
Lewis has a .526 winning percentage in 12 years with the Bengals, and he’s taken the Bengals to the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. But Cincinnati has not won a playoff game during Lewis’ tenure. No one would rank Lewis ahead of Tomlin or Harbaugh right now.
The fact that Mike Pettine is ranked last is not really an indictment of his coaching ability. It’s simply because this year will be his second as a head coach, and he’s facing an uphill battle in Cleveland. His team has some pieces, but he needs a proven quarterback. Pettine needs to show what we can do as a head coach before he moves up this list. Those ahead of him are established coaches, and two of them have Super Bowl rings.
Check out the offensive breakdown here.
