The defending AFC champion resides in the AFC North. Stacked with talent, which non-quarterbacks sit atop of the division’s best?
When the Cincinnati Bengals came within a hair of winning the Super Bowl. As a result, the rest of the division saw key players, not just Joe Burrow almost secure a championship. With that, the importance of the others on a roster becomes even more pressing. The AFC North could decide the fate of the entire conference.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
In a league where other elite tight ends garner all of the attention, Andrews should stand amongst the best in the NFL. Andrews gives Lamar Jackson the perfect target: a sure-handed tight end with the athleticism to beat linebackers and burst the seam. During his career, Andrews brings the ball in at a 67.6 clip. In 2021, he shattered all of his previous career highs. With the departure of Hollywood Brown, Andrews steps up even further. The Ravens, heavy on defense and the run game, need to keep opponents from sitting on the run. Andrews is teh key.
Logan Wilson, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
If you watched the Super Bowl, you witnessed the former Wyoming standout flying around and making tackles. More importantly, 2021 wasn’t an anomaly. In fact, you could see Wilson growing into his job and role as an elite linebacker. With instincts that rivals any ‘backer in the NFL. During his first year as a full-time starter, Wilson tallied a hundred tackles and four interceptions. In a division where mostly balanced teams exist. the need for Wilson to continue his upward path intensifies.
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Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
One stat stands out: 1000 touches, six fumbles. Chubb gives the Dawg Pound their proverbial bite. Blessed with power, contact balance, and breakaway speed, Chubb will give Deshaun Watson a fierce running game. In the strong Lake Erie winters, the Browns need to batter teams. Twenty-two of Chubb’s thirty-nine career touchdowns occurred after the first of November. However, health needs to factor in, with Chubb missing fourteen games over his four seasons.
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Cameron Heyward
Granted, we all understand the impact of T.J. Watt. Yet, look at the player that absorbs the punishment from guards and still fights through. Despite playing in his eleventh season, Heyward tallied the most tackles in his career and the second-most sacks. When most defensive tackles get to Heyward’s advanced football age, they begin to slow down. Instead, he elevated his game, beating linemen, and wreaking havoc in the backfield. With Watt headed down the Canton path, Cameron Hayward will beat him there.
No Clear Favorite
While the AFC West appears to be the most contentious division, the AFC North doesn’t have a clear favorite. With every team seemingly huddled together, the divisional games become all-out brawls and the stakes are even higher. With only three wildcard spots available, the division crown and a possible playoff bye increased the need to win out.