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AFC North check-in: Most, least improved position groups post-draft
The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, meaning teams have mostly completed their most significant roster moves for the season. With that in mind, here's a look at the most and least upgraded position groups for each AFC North team.
Baltimore Ravens
Most improved position group: Cornerback
The Ravens watched several key players in their secondary go down with injuries last season. So, they smartly added to the room with Clemson's Nate Wiggins in the first round (No. 30) and Iowa State's T.J. Tampa in the fourth round (No. 130).
Baltimore needed to upgrade its No. 2 outside corner opposite Marlon Humphrey, and it did just that. Now the team has high-upside starters and great depth in veterans Brandon Stephens and Arthur Maulet.
Least improved position group: Offensive line
This offseason, the Ravens lost both of their starting guards, John Simpson (Jets) and Kevin Zeitler (Lions), in free agency and traded right tackle Morgan Moses.
However, in the first two days of the draft, Baltimore only drafted one offensive lineman (OT Roger Rosengarten). The team will have three new starters along its offensive line from the unproven talents of Rosengarten, Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland, Daniel Faalele and Patrick Mekari.
Cincinnati Bengals
Most improved position group: Defensive line
The Lions snatched DT D.J. Reader away from the Bengals in free agency. It was a big blow to the defense, but they quickly responded by signing veteran DT Sheldon Rankins.
Cincinnati didn't stop there either, investing a second and third-round pick in Michigan's Kris Jenkins (No. 44) and Texas A&M's McKinnley Jackson (No. 97) on Day 2 of the draft. Veteran B.J. Hill also provides quality depth to the newly bolstered room.
Least improved position group: Running back
One of the Bengals' most head-scratching moves this offseason was trading running back Joe Mixon to the Texans and filling his void with former Bills and Colts RB Zack Moss.
This year's running back class wasn't highly regarded, but Cincinnati opted not to add to the room through the draft. So, now the team will likely roll with Moss and Chase Brown (a fifth-round pick in 2023) as its running back duo in 2024.
Cleveland Browns
Most improved position group: Wide receiver
The Browns didn't have a wide receiver, outside of Amari Cooper, eclipse 650 receiving yards in 2023. In fact, their second-leading receiver was tight end David Njoku (882 yards).
So, Cleveland made it a point to continue surrounding QB Deshaun Watson with more talent this offseason, acquiring WR Jerry Jeudy from the Broncos and selecting Louisville WR Jamari Thrash in the fifth round (No. 156).
The team traded for WR Elijah Moore last offseason, but he underwhelmed with just 640 receiving yards and two touchdown catches in 2023. If he continues to struggle in 2024, it isn't forced to stick with him.
Least improved position group: Inside linebacker
The Browns lost linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. (Dolphins) and Sione Takitaki (Patriots) in free agency. They responded by signing veteran linebackers Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush. However, neither is the future of the position.
Cleveland added to the room in the draft, but not until the sixth round (No. 206) in Mississippi State's Nathaniel Watson. As a result, the team will have to start Bush, who many view as a bust or a young and unproven player like Watson.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Most improved position group: Offensive line
The Steelers have completely rebuilt their offensive line over the past two years. Last year, they signed guard Isaac Seumalo in free agency and drafted offensive tackle Broderick Jones in the first round.
This year, Pittsburgh drafted three offensive linemen in its first five picks: offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round (No. 20), center Zach Frazier in the second round (No. 51) and guard Mason McCormick in the fourth round (No. 119).
The offensive line now has a ton of upside and great depth with offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. and guard Nate Herbig in the room.
Least improved position group: Wide receiver
The Steelers surprised everyone by trading wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Panthers earlier this offseason. They also didn't do much in free agency, signing veterans Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins.
Pittsburgh did add some upside to the room with third-round selection Roman Wilson (No. 84), but he will ideally play in the slot his rookie year.
The team is still reportedly in the trade market for a better No. 2 option, but if it fails to land one, its receiving corps will have taken a step back from a year ago.
More must-reads:
- Insider says Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s job could be in jeopardy
- Ravens sign first-round pick CB Nate Wiggins
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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Notes from Cowboys' second training camp practice: Schottenheimer threatens to kick out players, Pickens injury scare
Dallas Cowboys' training camp practice No. 2 is in the books so let's cut to the chase on this one and get right into the biggest moments. From head coach Brian Schottenheimer cutting a fight short and threatening to kick out players to a tough injury scare, there's a lot to get to. A lot of Kenneth Murray with the starting lineup In many of the clips coming from Oxnard, California, free agent signing Kenneth Murray keeps popping up with the first-team defense. He certainly looks like a potential starter at linebacker, where Jack Sanborn and Marist Liufau are also competing for starting roles. Though Sanborn has been talked about as the middle linebacker, Brian Schottenheimer said Murray has also worn the green dot denoting a player with comms with the coaching staff. "What I’m finding, now that I’m getting to know (Murray. . .) is the leadership he possesses," Schottenheimer said Wednesday. "He’s a grown-ass man out there. He takes charge. He makes a lot of the checks, he’s very smart, and he’s wearing the green dot for us in a lot of the things we’re doing." Brian Schottenheimer threatens to kick out players from practice Safety Markquese Bell, cornerback Troy Pride, and tight end Tyler Neville got into a scrap early during team periods, and the Cowboys head coach took the opportunity to send a message to his players. According to ESPN's Todd Archer, "Brian Schottenheimer called the team together and read them the riot act, threatening to kick player out of practice with the next fight." In the clip below from Nick Harris (Forth Worth Star-Telegram), Schottenheimer is heard saying: "I don't know what happened, I don't give a (expletive)." George Pickens' injury scare George Pickens went down as he attempted to catch a target during practice. Reports from Oxnard indicated it was a cramp. Fortunately, Pickens appeared fine after practice as he finished the day on the catching machines and jogged off the field. Joe Milton's 'touch pass' to Brevyn Spann-Ford Everyone knows about Joe Milton's bazooka arm but what to stay around the NFL for a long while, he'll have to show better accuracy and touch than what he showed with the Tennessee Vols. Though he needs to do it many more times, one play turned heads at camp: A play-action shot to TE Brevyn Spann-Ford that flew over linebacker Buddy Johnson. Later in practice, Milton fired a deep shot that missed WR Jonathan Mingo. The arm talent is there—and it's one of the best in the league—he just needs the touch to come consistently.
Maple Leafs continue to play moneyball: Three big names in play
With Mitch Marner’s move to the Vegas Golden Knights closing a major chapter in Toronto, GM Brad Treliving made a series of moves to replace his production. He might not be done. Three may be even bolder moves on the horizon. We’ve heard the names Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf before. However, the Maple Leafs are actively fielding and exploring trade scenarios as they look to reshape their roster — and according to Nick Kypreos, a handful of intriguing names are emerging in trade chatter: Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, and former Leafs fan-favorite Nazem Kadri. The most surprising name still generating buzz is Rielly. Despite being a longtime cornerstone on Toronto’s blue line, his $7.5 million cap hit and no-move clause complicate matters. Yet with the team needing help up front, and possible interest in offensive defensemen like Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Rielly could become part of a larger plan if he’s open to waiving. Also surprising is the talk surrounding Carlo. A recent addition to the Leafs’ defense corps, he is already being talked about behind the scenes as a potential trade piece. If he were made available, there is interest around the league, as the 6-foot-6 shutdown defender has a team-friendly cap hit and strong penalty-killing ability. Trading Carlo could get the Leafs a top-six forward. Finally, reports on the availability of Kadri remain conflicting. Some say he’s not available, while others suggest that the Calgary Flames would consider the idea. The former Maple Leaf would be a welcome addition back to Toronto, but there isn’t much of a reason for the Flames to trade him unless the return is outstanding. Kadri reportedly would consider waiving his no-move clause for a reunion. That said, getting a deal done won’t be easy, especially with Montreal also rumored to be on his short list. Whether any of these deals come to pass or are just pure speculation, one thing’s sure: the Maple Leafs aren’t standing still. Treliving is trying to get his roster to score more goals. He seems willing to entertain any idea and play Moneyball with the roster if it will help.
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ties franchise record with HR vs. Twins
MLB's midseason break was kind to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani. On Wednesday, the three-time MVP tied a Dodgers franchise record with a home run in his fifth consecutive game, taking Minnesota Twins right-handed starting pitcher Chris Paddack 441 feet to centerfield on an 0-2 79 mph curveball in the bottom of the first inning. Ohtani entered the All-Star break with 32 home runs but had just two in his 12 previous games before beginning his current streak. He's appeared in 101 of L.A.'s 103 games, putting him on pace for 159 games this season. If Ohtani continues at his home run trajectory, he'll set a personal record for single-season home runs, breaking the record he established last season, his first with the Dodgers. Per ESPN Bet, Ohtani (-1800) is an overwhelming favorite to be named NL MVP for the second consecutive season. With every home run hit, his odds of receiving a fourth overall MVP award likely increase. Also helping Ohtani's case is his return to the mound after not pitching a season ago while rehabbing from 2023 surgery. The Dodgers have slowly eased him back, with Ohtani throwing 12 innings in six starts, allowing nine hits and two earned runs with 13 strikeouts. Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the top six percent in average fastball velocity (97.8 mph), a promising sign as he continues his progression. While the Dodgers keep him on a pitch count, Ohtani didn't need much warming up at the plate following the in-season break to find his swing. Some might argue he's already in postseason form.
Maple Leafs get unfortunate news about acquiring Flames veteran
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to explore ways to upgrade the roster following Mitch Marner's departure in free agency. The Leafs front office has been trying to fill in the gaps along the roster, and they have been searching on the trade front. One name that has been heavily connected to the Maple Leafs in recent weeks is Calgary Flames star Nazem Kadri. Kadri could replace Marner very well in the lineup, but it seems that a deal could be complicated to complete. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos of SportsNet, Toronto has tried to land Kadri multiple times this summer, only to be rebuffed each time. Kypreos believes that a deal involving Kadri returning to the Maple Leafs could be unlikely at this point in the summer. Last season, Kadri posted 35 goals and 32 assists for the Flames. His presence has been steady on the ice for years, and Calgary could probably get a lot on the trade market for him. The Maple Leafs will likely continue to explore ways to pry Kadri from the Flames. But Calgary likely won't trade him unless it receives an offer that it deems too good to be true. But Kadri is the leader of this team, and he was the best player for them last season. Toronto doesn't have a lot of tradable assets to work with, which could be what is holding things up between the two sides. The veteran could give Toronto a nice boost, but unless the Maple Leafs up the offer, he isn't returning to town.
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