2022 AFC North Free Agency Preview

Embed from Getty Images
The 2022 NFL league year officially opens five days from today. Before we know it, teams will be filling holes on their rosters with new faces. There are some teams with less spots to fix than others. And in the AFC North, one team will have a newer target on their back, after appearing in the Super Bowl just one month ago.

Yesterday, I looked into some potential free agent targets and fits for teams in the AFC South. To read that click here. We will be doing the exact same for the AFC North. Who could quickly become a new member of either the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cleveland Browns or the Pittsburgh Steelers? I will list two possible additions at three different areas of need. At the same time, current salary cap space for each team will be listed. Let’s kick it off.

Baltimore Ravens

Current Salary Cap Space (via OverTheCap): $15.6 million, 17th Most In NFL

Need: Defensive Tackle

The Baltimore Ravens have long been known to have stout and commanding presences upfront at defensive tackle. They can set a tone and do the dirty work. Meanwhile, Baltimore is set to lose three veteran defensive tackles to free agency next week. This includes the long-tenured Brandon Williams, Calais Campbell and Justin Ellis. With those, the Ravens could lose size and power at the position.

Potential Fits: Larry Ogunjobi and Quinton Jefferson

Larry Ogunjobi has already played for two AFC North teams (Browns, Bengals). So, why not play for another? Ogunjobi is a bit more athletic and quicker, compared to what some may realize. On top of that, the Ravens know they could largely receive tremendous durability with him. The same could be said for Quinton Jefferson, who can control gaps and penetrate urgently into the backfield.

Need: Cornerback

The Ravens have already released Tavon Young earlier this week. Elsewhere, Chris Westry is reportedly not going to be tendered a contract for 2022, allowing him to hit the free agent market. Veterans Anthony Averett and Jimmy Smith are due for free agency as well. We also do not know what to completely expect from Marcus Peters in 2022. He is coming off of a torn ACL and enters the final year of his contract.

Potential Fits: Darious Williams and Casey Hayward

Darious Williams has been highly productive for the Rams over the last couple of seasons. Over the last two years with LA, he produced 23 pass deflections, four interceptions and had a completion percentage against of roughly 58 percent. He can play physical and bigger than his size suggests. Moreover, Casey Hayward is another player who has always been a bit underappreciated. He is coming off arguably his best season in a few years. His man coverage ability and sneaky quickness could suit Baltimore well.

Need: Center

Center Bradley Bozeman is set for free agency. Reportedly, the former sixth-round pick has a pretty strong market from outside teams awaiting him. Baltimore may need to make multiple offensive line adjustments. However, replacing Bozeman may be the tallest task early on during free agency.

Potential Fits: Matt Paradis and Nick Martin

Matt Paradis has been around for a long time. Nonetheless, he has continued to remain reliable upfront. Most recently with the Carolina Panthers, Paradis is steady with his hand technique and adequate with his footwork. Nick Martin may not have played as much as Paradis has lately. Though, the physical presence and power that he could infuse may gel well with the Ravens heavy-run approach.

Cincinnati Bengals

Current Salary Cap Space (via OverTheCap): $34.6 million, 6th Most In NFL

Need: Guard

What a season it was for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. They downed the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs to reach Super Bowl LVI. For some of that contest, it looked like they were going to go all the way and get the job done. Too much pressure on Joe Burrow led to a frustrating finish, however. Fixing both the guard and offensive tackle spots must be at the top of the Bengals list.

Potential Fits: Brandon Scherff and Trai Turner

Two veterans here who are not only leaders upfront, but also in the locker room. They would take great pride in protecting a young star like Burrow. Brandon Scherff has an injury history that is a little worrisome. Yet, the former Washington blocker has the makeup of what Cincinnati needs at guard. Trai Turner has bounced around teams the last few years. Most recently with Pittsburgh, Turner has the play style and nasty temperament that Cincinnati lacked last season.

Need: Offensive Tackle

Jonah Williams was serviceable last season at left tackle. Though, he was nowhere near perfect. The Bengals are also set to lose veteran Riley Reiff to free agency. I would not rule out a possible fit for either tackle spot. And that goes for both free agency and April’s 2022 NFL Draft.

Potential Fits: Terron Armstead and Morgan Moses

Terron Armstead is the big fish among the offensive tackle free agents. Orlando Brown Jr. got franchise tagged, so teams will have to turn to the veteran, when it comes to big-money signings. Armstead has dealt with some ailments recently. However, the power and hand technique is undeniable with him. Morgan Moses could also be a fit at right tackle. We have seen him steadily improve, especially when it comes to handling speed rushers. That would be something he could see plenty of within the AFC North.

Need: Cornerback

The Bengals are set to lose four outside cornerbacks to free agency. This includes Eli Apple, Tre Flowers, Vernon Hargreaves and Darius Phillips. Despite not a ton of superior talent, Cincinnati had many snaps distributed within this group.

Potential Fits: Xavier Rhodes and Charvarius Ward

The Bengals do not necessarily need to add a number one, lockdown cornerback. Adding a defender with length and ball skills could be beneficial. That is exactly what you could be getting with either Xavier Rhodes or Charvarius Ward. Rhodes had a bit of a low stretch during the end of his run in Minnesota. But overall, he bounced back effectively with Indianapolis. And Charvarius Ward? He has continually improved on the little details while with Kansas City.

Cleveland Browns

Current Salary Cap Space (via OverTheCap): $17.9 million, 13th Most In NFL

Need: Wide Receiver

Baker Mayfield is entering a make-or-break 2022 season. It feels like there is already one foot out the door with him, to be completely honest. Getting players that can create explosive plays with Mayfield is paramount for Cleveland this offseason. There are two potential fits in that regard.

Potential Fits: Christian Kirk and Russell Gage

Christian Kirk will likely have a hot market after being with the Arizona Cardinals. Kirk can win underneath, fool defenders and stack them vertically and create extra yards after the catch. His versatility is a cherry on top. Russell Gage may not appear to be a massive addition. But for a team like this, the Browns are looking for more speed to pair with their size and toughness. Gage’s stats won’t wow you on paper. But, he was routinely one of the more durable pass catchers among a weaker Atlanta Falcons group.

Need: Defensive End

Jadeveon Clowney and Takk McKinley are both due for free agency. Both provided spurts of production last year. Additionally, neither finished the season relatively healthy. There are not many exciting options to pair as a running mate with Myles Garrett on the current roster.

Potential Fits: Derek Barnett and Jason Pierre-Paul

Derek Barnett is a mean and nasty defensive end coming out of the Philadelphia Eagles system. Everything he does is with power, purpose and precision. There are moments where he knows he is wearing down an opposing blocker. Afterwards, Barnett does not hold back with his ability to explode at the point of attack. Jason Pierre-Paul has dealt with a few ailments in recent years. Nevertheless, he played through most of those and appears to be playing near the best football of his career.

Need: Defensive Tackle

Veteran Malik Jackson is due for free agency. Whereas with the remaining defensive tackles on the depth chart, the Browns are not filled with much experience or promising names. The Browns could also help out the aforementioned Garrett by providing a more stable and commanding force at defensive tackle. A couple of buy-low candidates come to mind.

Potential Fits: BJ Hill and Maliek Collins

BJ Hill stepped in for the Bengals this season and was quite the handful for opposing offensive linemen to have to face. His playoff run was ultra-disruptive and spectacular. Hill is also someone who can produce against both the run and the pass. Maliek Collins has been a fine depth piece with the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. While not someone who will command a great load of the snaps, Collins knows how to control gaps and disrupt the opposing passer.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Current Salary Cap Space (via OverTheCap): $28.8 million, 8th Most In NFL

Need: Cornerback

Both Joe Haden and Ahkello Witherspoon are due for free agency. The Steelers have truly lacked consistent dominance at cornerback for quite some time. Will they be able to land one of the big-ticket cornerbacks? Possibly. That is less of a guarantee, given the greater cap space availability for other cornerback needy teams.

Potential Fits: Kyle Fuller and Donte Jackson

Both Kyle Fuller and Donte Jackson could sign for less than what some may expect. We also know that either of these two defenders are capable of handling a heavy dose of man coverage reps. In Pittsburgh, they could also flash quickness and add length to the perimeter of the defense.

Need: Offensive Linemen

A few younger blockers came through in a meaningful way for the Steelers last season. There still stands the opportunity to add reinforcements, nonetheless. The aforementioned Trai Turner is due for free agency at right guard. Plus, right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor is also set to become available on the open market next week.

Potential Fits: Mark Glowinski and Kendall Lamm

Neither of these names will command top of the line money. There is a lot of signs that point to these two as potential fits, however. Mark Glowinski has experience within a rugged blocking group that looked to lean on the run during his time with Indianapolis. He has the ability to step in and provide a forceful style at right guard. Kendall Lamm was most recently with the Titans. He has not consistently held down a starting role. But, he has the size and length to hang on the outside.

Need: Wide Receiver

This is nowhere near a major need for the Steelers. They still have the young duo of Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool returning for 2022. On the flip side, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ray-Ray McCloud and James Washington are scheduled for free agency. That leaves the remaining depth pretty bare behind Johnson and Claypool.

Potential Fits: Tre’Quan Smith and Damiere Byrd

Tre’Quan Smith would provide a couple of items that has fit the recent trends of Pittsburgh at this position. He has a rare size and speed combination. On top of that, Smith has proven that he can win from either the slot or on the outside. Damiere Byrd could play a somewhat similar role to that of Johnson, so to speak. He may not be on Diontae’s level. Yet, Byrd can still win vertically and play a savvy role as a route runner, to boot.

Be on the lookout for more FPC 2022 NFL free agency articles in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.