Eight AFC North players with the most to prove in 2023

Whether it's a young player who has yet to live up to expectations or a veteran who hasn't matched the level of his contract, several players every year have much more to prove than others.

Here are the players with the most to prove on offense and defense for each team in the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens

Offense: Lamar Jackson, quarterback | The Ravens have surrounded Jackson with the most talent he's had since entering the league in 2018. Baltimore signed wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor in free agency and drafted WR Zay Flowers with its first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The offense, which once lacked playmakers, can be one of the best in the NFL with its newest weapons.

However, more importantly, Jackson — the 2019 NFL MVP — has yet to lead the Ravens past the divisional round of the playoffs. His 1-3 postseason record is underwhelming. The league's highest-paid quarterback shouldn't have any excuses this season.

Defense: Odafe Oweh, edge-rusher | Baltimore selected Oweh with its first-round pick in 2021. He showed promise as a rookie, totaling five sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, but he seemed to take a step backward in his second season with just three sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Oweh, a projected starter, is entering the third year of his rookie contract and must prove the Ravens right in 2023. If he can't put it together, Baltimore may have to look elsewhere as the team continues to build its young defense.

Cincinnati Bengals

Offense: Joe Mixon, running back | Running backs have never been valued less, and Mixon is coming off a down year. In 2022, he rushed for 814 yards and seven touchdowns after posting three 1,000-yard-plus rushing seasons in four years. Mixon signed a four-year, $48M deal with the Bengals in 2020, but he isn't playing up to his $12M-per-year average.

Workhorse running backs Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott — both 27 — were cut this offseason. Mixon, who turns 27 in July, could see a similar scenario play out for himself next offseason if he has another down year.

Defense: Chidobe Awuzie, cornerback | Cincinnati thought it found one of its starting corners for the foreseeable future in 2021, signing Awuzie to a three-year, $21.75M contract. However, the team has yet to see the investment it made in the six-year veteran pay dividends. In Awuzie's first two injury-riddled seasons with the Bengals, he had two interceptions and one forced fumble.

Entering the final year of his deal in 2023, Awuzie must stay healthy in hopes of receiving a contract extension. If the 28-year-old doesn't, he could be a goner.

Cleveland Browns

Offense: Deshaun Watson, quarterback | The Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230M fully guaranteed contract last offseason, but he certainly didn't look the part. He led Cleveland to an underwhelming 3-3 record after returning from suspension, throwing for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

Watson's $46M-per-year salary ranks sixth among all quarterbacks, so he must play like one of the top players at his position in 2023. The Browns traded for WR Elijah Moore and drafted WR Cedric Tillman to help him knock off the rest of his rust. If he doesn't, the Browns will regret their all-in decision on the controversial 27-year-old.

Defense: Greg Newsome II, cornerback | Cleveland drafted Newsome II in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but he has yet to break out like his counterpart, Denzel Ward. Newsome II hasn't forced a turnover and has missed multiple games through his first two seasons.

The 23-year-old has a chance to have his best season yet, which wouldn't be difficult to do following an offseason in which the team invested heavily on defense. However, if Newsome's play underwhelms,  the team will likely replace him next offseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Offense: Najee Harris, running back | Some may argue that second-year QB Kenny Pickett should be the choice here, but the Steelers don't need Pickett to play hero ball to have a successful 2023 season. Pittsburgh wants to run early and often, and that's why Harris is more important this season.

Harris hasn't played badly since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2021, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. However, his numbers have been more of a product of workload than productivity, as he has yet to reach four or more yards per carry in a season. Harris has a good opportunity to prove his worth with an improved offensive line in front of him, but if he doesn't, the Steelers could add him to the league's growing list of failed first-round running backs.

Defense: Larry Ogunjobi, defensive line | Pittsburgh gave Ogunjobi a three-year, $28.75M contract this offseason. It was quite the deal for a player who had just 1.5 sacks in 2022. The 29-year-old spent his first season with the Steelers rehabbing a foot injury, but Pittsburgh clearly has more faith in him than anyone else.

Ogunjobi was supposed to sign a three-year contract with the Bears last offseason, but he failed his physical coming off surgery. If he is finally fully healthy, he has proved his ability to make a difference on defense, but that's a big if for the six-year veteran who must prove Pittsburgh right for giving him the multiyear deal he was seeking.