Divisions to Watch in The 2017 Season Part 3 AFC North

Divisions to Watch in The 2017 Season Part 3 AFC North

Robert Knuckles

“This Might Surprise People"

Time for another Division to watch article. I hope you guys enjoy reading these articles as much as I did writing them. Now this article might surprise people a couple mainly due to the fact of a certain team that’s going to be on there. So let’s dive right into it and talk about the AFC North.

1. Cleveland Browns

So let's start with the team that had the most first round picks and that's the Cleveland Browns. Like i said before this pick might surprise some people but I really believe Cleveland has something special coming up. In the draft the Browns got defensive end Myles Garrett from Texas A&M, safety Jabrill Peppers from Michigan and tight end David Njoku from University of Miami, all of this in the first round. They have all this young talent that coach Jackson hopes to make into big time players. Garrett was the first person drafted whom people argue is the best person in the draft. Now people have been questioning Garrett’s work ethic so now he’s pretty much playing with a chip on his shoulders.

One questionable pick is Jabrill Peppers. Now no one knows what position he’ll play. Peppers only got one interception as a safety. He’s going to need more than that to play safety in the NFL and he’s going to learn how to cover. Peppers also played linebacker but he’s pretty small for a linebacker. All we do know that Peppers is an athlete. Jackson is going to have a position for him. From what I heard there were rumors that they might put Peppers as a wide receiver.

In the second round they drafted DeShone Kizer from Notre Dame who can possibly be their franchise quarterback. He might be red shirted but don’t be surprised if he does play. Jackson see’s something special in Kizer so time will tell.

Now I don’t see the Browns winning the division but I can see them being very competitive and having all this young talent can show a bright future.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Next we have the division winners the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the 2016 the Steelers had a high power offense with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown who many people argue is the best receiver and running back Le'veon Bell who many people also argue is the best running back in football. The only problem with the Steelers is their defense. In the draft they got inside linebacker T.J. Watt from Wisconsin to help with the front seven. They also drafted running back James Conner from Pitt. Bell will sometimes get injured or get suspended so they'll need depth with the running back position. Deangelo Williams is a pretty good back up but having three headed is extremely helpful.

Martavis Bryant will be coming back from missing a full year for violating League’s substance abuse policy. With Bryant coming back takes the pressure off of Brown. My only concern is Pittsburgh defense. That’s really the biggest kryptonite with this team.

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens playoff hopes were gone when they lost to the Steelers on Christmas Day. Ravens had one of the best defenses in the league. Their front seven was number one in the league with stopping the run but their secondary needed some help and getting cornerback Marlon Humphrey to go opposite of Jimmy Smith will help out. Humphrey can play man to man and can tackle. They also got inside linebacker Tim Williams who can possibly be Terrell Suggs replacement in the future.

Now my concern is that they didn’t draft any receivers. Steve Smith is retired and he was their best weapon on offense. The Ravens  defense set the tone this past season and I believe it will again in the 2017 season but can Joe Flacco and the offense get it done?

4. Cincinnati Bengals

Last but not least The Bengals. The Bengals seem to have a curse not getting a playoff win in over 10 years. They hope to end this curse this season. In the draft they got speed demon wide receiver in John Ross. Pairing Ross with wide receiver A.J. Green can mean trouble for a lot of secondaries. The Bengals also drafted running back Joe Mixon in the second round. In my opinion was the best running back in this draft but due to his altercation with the young woman Amelia Molitor made Mixon drop in the draft. Mixon and Molitor have resolved their issues which is good because if they haven’t it was going to be a long year for Mixon.

Mixon plans on redeeming himself this 2017 season. This offense on paper looks really good. Now their offensive line still needs help but getting Mixon will help out just a bit. If quarterback Andy Dalton can play like he did in 2015 watch out for the Bengals and maybe just maybe they’ll win the division and might finally get a playoff win.

In the end I believe that the division will come down between the Bengals and Steelers. Ravens defense will still be good but the offense has question marks and the Browns are a young team potential on the rise. It’s still going to be a fun division to watch.