2021 NFL Draft: Team-by-team storylines to watch this fall

AFC North

The Ravens are a regular season power but can they win when it matters?

Any doubts about Lamar Jackson’s ability to be an impact player in the NFL after a 6-1 rookie year were quickly written off last season. After finishing the regular season with the best record at 14-2, the Ravens were poised to ride the MVP-led offense to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, the Ravens were once again knocked out of the playoffs after just one game.

The Ravens had one of the stronger draft classes, bringing in LSU linebacker Patrick Queen in the first round and added an instant impact running back in J.K. Dobbins. The Ravens added defensive lineman Calais Campbell to their pass rush and retained Matt Judon on the franchise tag. The Ravens’ biggest offseason impact occurred near the end of August with the team cutting Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas after an on-field altercation with teammate Chuck Clark.

Prediction: The Ravens will be impacted by the Thomas departure but remain the clear favorites in the AFC North. While Steelers, Browns and Bengals should all see improvement in 2020, the Ravens should once again post double-digit wins and contend for a first-round bye. Jackson’s next step will be getting a playoff win if the Ravens are to threaten the Chiefs. Expect another late-round pick to be used on a departing veteran defender. 

The Bengals went 2-14 last year. Burrow’s looking to add an edge in Cincy.

Andy Dalton has been the Bengals starting quarterback since he was drafted in 2011. After finishing the 2019 season with the first overall pick, the Bengals have moved on from Dalton and will be led by first overall pick, Joe Burrow. After a 2-14 finish under first-year head coach, Zac Taylor, the Bengals should be expected to see improvement beginning with their rookie quarterback.

Despite rookie quarterbacks both starting and performing at a higher level of performance year over year, the 2020 season should be met with mild expectations. Between A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon, the Bengals will have talent around Burrow but lack the offensive line to make the offensive unit a legitimate threat.

Prediction: The Bengals should improve from a dismal 2019 season but will once again finish at the bottom of the AFC North. The Bengals will likely pick somewhere in the top 5-10 range and should have plenty of options come draft day. Protecting Burrow with a top-end lineman like Penei Sewell would be ideal with another deep class at receiver. 

Another year, another new regime. Can Baker rebound under Stefanski?

Kevin Stefanski will be the Browns third-year coach in as many years for Baker Mayfield and the Browns’ success will hinge on their franchise quarterback. Cleveland moved on from General Manager Jon Dorsey and Freddie Kitchens this offseason but continued to pump more money into their offense. The Browns were able to resign Kareem Hunt, signed tackle Jack Conklin from Tennessee, Austin Hooper from Atlanta, and drafted left tackle Jedrick Wills.

Lack of talent on the offensive end can’t be an excuse in Cleveland and with former Vikings offensive coordinator, Stefanski at the helm the Browns and Mayfield should see a jump in production this fall. Case Keenum’s presence and sizzled expectations could be the best thing to happen to the Browns if they are to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Prediction: The preseason hype around the Browns entering the 2019 season was entirely unwarranted, that said, a 6-10 record should have been seen as a disappointment and the Browns did take the appropriate steps this offseason to turn the franchise around. A playoff appearance should be the expectation this season and if the Browns do find themselves with an early pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, more changes could be on the horizon with a new front-office. 

Big Ben’s back. Is Pittsburgh this season’s San Francisco?

The deciding factor in the Steelers 2020 season will rest on the health of Ben Roethlisberger’s elbow and if the 38-year-old can continue to perform at a Hall of Fame level after 12 months away from contact. The Steelers return the majority of their 2019 team which led the NFL in takeaways and sacks and finished sixth in points allowed. The Steelers defense kept Pittsburgh in the playoff race during the 2019 season with the Pittsburgh offense struggling to get anything going between backup quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges.

Roethlisberger’s return should be the shot in the arm the Steelers need to return to the playoffs in 2020 and provide the greatest threat to Baltimore in the AFC North. The Steelers don’t need the 2014 Big Ben to get back to the playoffs with what may be the best defense in the league. The unit was good enough to take Pittsburgh to an 8-8 record last fall. If Roethlisberger can do enough and limit turnover to improve upon a unit that finished 30th in yardage and 27th in points, the Steelers very well could produce a turnaround season similar to last season’s 49ers.

Prediction: Pittsburgh hasn’t been in the postseason since the 2017 Divisional Round loss to the Jaguars. With no more distractions and a healthy team, there is no reason the Steelers cannot push the 10-win mark and a Wild Card spot at minimum, especially considering the Steelers finally have a defense again. Expect Pittsburgh to go best available come the 2021 NFL Draft as they push for one final Super Bowl with Roethlisberger.