The AFC North is all the time a massacre, however this upcoming season feels just like the depth has ratcheted up a notch. Outdoors of Baltimore, each group within the division is determined to show others flawed and put to mattress quite a lot of narratives from the skin. The Steelers are going all in on the Aaron Rodgers expertise, loading the group with veteran expertise in hopes of creating it previous the Wild Card spherical. The Bengals have so many questions on the defensive facet of the ball, however an offense with probably the most harmful QB-WR combo within the sport could make something work. Then there’s Cleveland, who has one foot in 2025 and one other within the 2026 draft class.
How can these breakout gamers assist every group hit their targets? Test it out under.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: CB Nate Wiggins
This train is making an attempt to keep away from former first rounders, however this one is apparent. Wiggins confirmed flashes in his rookie marketing campaign, main the Ravens in passes defended and ending seventeenth amongst all defenders in EPA per goal (min. 30 targets). Wiggins is sticky in protection but when he can flip these PBUs into interceptions, he might take a giant leap in 2025. He solely had one interception final 12 months, however outdoors of that manufacturing he has all of the instruments to win on the skin in Baltimore.
Cincinnati Bengals: CB DJ Turner
Selecting a breakout participant for a Bengals group that wants SOMEONE on protection to step up could be a bit tough, however I can’t assist watching their protection and pondering that Turner may be very near turning into one thing particular. He was second on the Bengals in PBUs, however was first amongst all excessive quantity defenders in EPA per goal. His athleticism actually stands out in protection, however in Al Golden’s man-heavy scheme it might get highlighted much more.
Cleveland Browns: WR Cedric Tillman
The Browns want anybody to step up at receiver subsequent to Jerry Jeudy, and it looks like Tillman has the within observe for that. His work has been restricted at instances as a consequence of the truth that there hasn’t been a soul with a stay arm again there throwing him the ball (you may make the argument that there STILL isn’t a soul with a stay arm at QB), however Tillman is a distinct fashion of receiver than what the Browns have on the roster, being extra of a contested catch man on the skin. If he can present any consistency on the boundary WR spot, it ought to assist all the offense out.
Pittsburgh Steelers: RG Mason McCormick
I virtually went with the person subsequent to McCormick on that offensive line, heart Zach Frazier. Nonetheless, I really feel like he’s already damaged out and is on observe to be probably the greatest facilities within the sport. McCormick nonetheless is below the radar, however whenever you watch him play his sport is something however quiet. He’s the definition of ‘taking part in to the whistle’, ending each rep with energy and a imply streak that simply matches the Pittsburgh Steelers. I additionally assume he does properly on zone runs, slicing off defensive tackles or getting throughout the face of defenders. He’ll have to iron out some inconsistencies in go safety, however his enchancment might see him develop into a breakout star on this offense.
