In this series, the Last Word on Sports NFL department will be selecting the best players in each division by position. Taking a look at the AFC North offense, let’s take a look at the best of the best in the division…
READ MORE: AFC North All-Defense Team | AFC East All-Offense Team
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2022 AFC North All-Division Team: The Offense
Quarterback: Joe Burrow, Bengals
Joe Burrow starts us off as QB1 for the AFC North. Burrow had a stellar campaign leading the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl LVI and winning Comeback Player of the Year. The Bengals signal caller threw for 4611 yards with 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions with a QBR of 100.8 in his sophomore season. Cincinnati has found its franchise leader for the next 15 years and the best seems yet to come.
Running Back: Nick Chubb, Browns
The Cleveland Browns, Nick Chubb is the obvious choice at running back for the division. Chubb is a fantastic back with excellent speed, agility, and power to finish off defenders trying to tackle him. The Browns rely heavily on their running backs on offense and Chubb had 1259 yards rushing, 1433 yards from scrimmage, with nine total touchdowns. Cleveland’s bell cow has proven he’s not only the best at his position in the division but in the top echelon in the entire NFL.
Wide Receiver: Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
The NFL Rookie of the Year is the pick as the best receiver in the division. The Bengals took a chance on drafting Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell and the gamble led them to a place they haven’t been in over 30 years. The Chase and Burrow connection was just as lethal in the NFL as it was in college. The star wideout is such a special player, and like Burrow, he elevates not only the Bengals offense but the entire team. Chase finished his magnificent rookie campaign with 1455 receiving yards with 13 touchdowns and an absurd 18 yards a reception.
Wide Receiver: Diontae Johnson, Steelers
In a very close race with Tee Higgins, Diontae Johnson gets the nod as WR2 in the AFC North. The Steelers used Johnson in a multitude of ways last season and this trend should continue to help the Pittsburgh offense be more efficient. Johnson is a playmaker that can stretch the field, is dangerous in space, and is also a capable runner on jet sweeps in some formations. The Steelers main threat had 1161 receiving yards with eight touchdowns at 10.9 yards a reception.
Slot Receiver: Tyler Boyd, Bengals
One of the most underrated wide receivers and players in the NFL. Tyler Boyd has been a consistent staple in the slot for the Bengals since his rookie season in 2016. The hallmarks that make Boyd so productive are he runs precise routes and has great hands. He also has the physicality you’d want in a wide receiver and is an extremely unselfish player. The Bengals star had 828 receiving yards last year with five touchdowns and was a key cog in their Super Bowl run.
Tight End: Mark Andrews, Ravens
Mark Andrews is the prototypical tight end in every sense. The Ravens move Andrews at the line of scrimmage to maximize his matchups, which he often dominates. His calling card is a very good blocking and catching tight end that plays with great effort for the entire game. Andrews finished his best NFL season with 1361 yards receiving with nine touchdowns at a clip of 13 yards a reception.
Left Tackle: Ronnie Stanley, Ravens
Ronnie Stanley leads us off as the best left tackle in the division. Stanley has battled injuries the past two seasons but we still have him in high regard and at the top spot. The Ravens struggled mightily in 2021 to protect Lamar Jackson and missing Stanley was a major reason. Stanley has great feet for a man his size and often smothers defenders at the point of attack. His initial first step and lateral quickness are so vital in pass protection and he can also finish defenders in the run game.
Left Guard: Joel Bitonio, Browns
Joel Bitonio has been solid for the Browns along their offensive line since his rookie season in 2014. The four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro is one of the best left guards in the NFL and has remained remarkably durable for some very poor Cleveland offenses. Bitonio excels in pass protection and in the run game where he’s a road grader in helping to open wide lanes for runners to hit.
Center: Ted Karras, Bengals
Ted Karras is one of the Bengals biggest acquisitions to bolster their offensive line to aid in protecting Burrow. Karras has spent most of his career at guard but will play center in the Bengals offense. The two-time Super Bowl champion is an extremely smart and consistent player. Karras will also bring that winning mindset that can help an already strong locker room in Cincinnati.
Right Guard: Wyatt Teller, Browns
Wyatt Teller truly shines brightest in the run game and is the perfect fit for Browns offense. Play action is more effective because of the work he and Bitonio consistently perform in the run game.
Right Tackle: Jack Conklin, Browns
Another member of the Browns great offensive line makes the list at right tackle. Jack Conklin has all the traits you love from a right tackle, he’s big, agile, smart, and physical at the line of scrimmage. The two-time All-Pro has been in Cleveland since 2020 and helped produce one of the most lethal and balanced running attacks in the NFL.
