This week, Last Word On Pro Football will be selecting starting lineups consisting of the best players from each division. In this article, the AFC North offense is the focus.<\/p>\n
Since his 2004 Rookie of the Year season,\u00a0Ben Roethlisberger<\/strong><\/a> has been consistently great. Unlike Baltimore’s\u00a0Joe Flacco<\/a><\/strong>, there’s no question that Big Ben is elite. Truthfully, there’s no other quarterback in the North that even comes close. Although Cincinnati’s\u00a0Andy Dalton<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is<\/em> good, he’s nowhere near Roethlisberger. And the Browns…well, their\u00a0quarterback situation is intriguing, I suppose. In any case, Big Ben is still the best in the division. Another Steeler making the list,\u00a0Le’Veon Bell<\/strong><\/a> is the premier AFC North running back. Really though, he might be one of, if not\u00a0the<\/em> best running back in the NFL. Bell’s talent is unmatched, and his speed and power mix is the best in the NFL by far. Only\u00a0David Johnson<\/a><\/strong> really comes close, but playing for the Cardinals, he’s nowhere near the AFC North. Even if 2017 is Bell’s last year in Pittsburgh, he’ll definitely make it a great one.<\/p>\n Rounding out Pittsburgh’s “Killer B’s” is (possibly) the NFL’s best receiver,\u00a0Antonio Brown<\/strong><\/a>. If you disregard\u00a0Julio Jones<\/a><\/strong> in Atlanta, he is\u00a0absolutely<\/em> the best receiver in the league. In 2016, Brown collected a beastly 1,284 yards. On his career, he has 8,377 yards and exactly 50 touchdowns. Clearly, Brown is the best in the division at catching passes. But who lines up on the other side of him?<\/p>\n Take a moment to imagine what could be if Antonio Brown lined up next to A.J. Green<\/strong>.\u00a0Wow<\/em>. Despite having a down year in 2016, Green is still the division’s penultimate best receiver. While only grabbing four touchdowns last season, he has 49 on his career since Cincinnati drafted him in 2011. Fans should absolutely expect Green to rebound from his mediocre 2016 and have a stellar campaign this season.<\/p>\n Ah, a glimmer of hope in the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver room. After Steve Smith<\/a> <\/strong> decided to hang up his cleats at the end of last season, Flacco’s target options looked bare. But have no fear, Raven faithful;\u00a0Jeremy Maclin<\/strong><\/a> is here to save the day. Although Maclin is already 29, that doesn’t change what his abilities can do for the Ravens. Maybe, just maybe, Flacco can pull some true magic out of Maclin in 2017.<\/p>\n When he’s not sidelined with an injury,\u00a0Tyler Eifert<\/strong><\/a> is one of the most fearsome tight ends in the NFL. However, he’s a bit like New England’s\u00a0Rob Gronkowski<\/a><\/strong>. Gronk, although great when he’s healthy, just so happens to see the injury bug a\u00a0lot<\/em>. But that doesn’t change the fact that normally, both Eifert and Gronk are the best in their division. Hopefully for Eifert and his next contract, he can stay healthy throughout 2017.<\/p>\n There was no doubt about this one. No doubt at all.\u00a0Joe Thomas<\/strong><\/a> is one of the NFL’s all-time great offensive line talents. Having not missed a snap in basically a decade, Thomas is incredibly durable and resilient. Additionally, he just so happens to be the best left tackle in the league while doing that. That combination of durability and talent absolutely warrants a spot on this list.<\/p>\n There’s a serious case for\u00a0Marshal Yanda<\/strong><\/a> being the best guard in the entire NFL. In a division based on the running game and the offensive line, Yanda might be the best interior lineman talent. At the very least, he’s the best left guard in the AFC North. He’s been in six Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl. Those accolades definitely count for something.<\/p>\n This one was almost a tie with Cleveland’s\u00a0J.C. Tretter<\/a><\/strong>, but\u00a0Maurkice Pouncey<\/strong><\/a> ultimately won out. Pouncey and his brother, Mike, are among the best centers in the NFL. Although there aren’t really any flashy stats in the way of centers, the tape tells the story. Even as a center, Pouncey jumps off the page with his ferocious run blocking and pass protection. The Steelers have built one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, and Pouncey is (quite literally) at the center.<\/p>\n When the Browns signed\u00a0Kevin Zeitler<\/strong><\/a> in the off-season, fans were right to be excited. One of the league’s top right guards, coming to the lowly Cleveland Browns? Truly amazing. With Zeitler, Thomas, and Tretter, Cleveland is becoming very interesting in the trenches. Hopefully for the Browns offense as a whole, these pieces really do fit together.<\/p>\n This one is pretty simple. In the absence of\u00a0Mike Wright<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Marcus Gilbert<\/strong><\/a> is absolutely the best right tackle in the NFL. How good is he? Well, a couple years ago, he completely shut down eventual\u00a0Super Bowl MVP\u00a0Von Miller<\/a><\/strong> for an entire game. Case closed.<\/p>\n Be sure to check out the AFC North All-Division Team for defense and special teams<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nRunning Back: Le’Veon Bell<\/h3>\n
Wide Receiver: Antonio Brown<\/h3>\n
Wide Receiver: A.J. Green<\/h3>\n
Slot Receiver: Jeremy Maclin<\/h3>\n
Tight End: Tyler Eifert<\/h3>\n
Left Tackle: Joe Thomas<\/h3>\n
Left Guard: Marshal Yanda<\/h3>\n
Center: Maurkice Pouncey<\/h3>\n
Right Guard: Kevin Zeitler<\/h3>\n
Right Tackle: Marcus Gilbert<\/h3>\n