Day 2 AFC North Free Agency Grades

The AFC North stepped on the gas on day two of free agency. Each team took leaps forward and are proving that this division is the best in football

There is no rest in the AFC North. After a slower day to open free agency, each team in the AFC North made at least one blockbuster deal that will set them up for the 2024 season. 

Coming off a year where each team finished above .500 for the first time since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970, each franchise is pushing the chips to the middle to go after the Lombardi now.

Pittsburgh Steelers: A+

Key Additions

• Patrick Queen: Linebacker, Baltimore
• Cameron Johnston: Punter, Houston
• Russell Wilson: Quarterback, Denver

Key Departures

• Mitchell Trubisky: Quarterback, Buffalo
• Diontae Johnson: Wide Receiver, Carolina
• Chukwuma Okorafor: Defensive Back, New England

The Steelers started the offseason by signing Russell Wilson to a $1.2M deal that gets you a top-20 quarterback for free and they buttressed that deal by having the steal of free agency in day two. In a shock across the league, they came to terms with division rival Patrick Queen and convinced him to join the Steeler defense.

Queen is one of the best linebackers in the NFL and will fit so perfectly in Pittsburgh. This is worst-case scenario for everyone in the North. Everyone was expecting Queen to leave the AFC North but he stays and he goes to the perfect team for his abilities. A homerun signing for the Steelers.

Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) runs with the ball as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) defends during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports   / © Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns: A

Key Additions

• Jameis Winston: Quarterback, New Orleans
• Za'Darius Smith: Defensive End, Cleveland
• Maurice Hurst: Defensive Tackle, Cleveland
• Shelby Harris: Defensive Tackle, Cleveland
• Jordan Hicks: Linebacker, Minnesota
• Nyheim Hines: Running Back, Buffalo
• Michael Dunn: Tackle, Cleveland

Key Departures

• Sione Takitaki: Linebacker, New England
• Anthony Walker Jr.: Linebacker, Miami
• Jordan Elliot: Defensive Tackle, San Francisco
• Mike Ford: Defensive Back, Houston

Cleveland had a great day two of free agency. They were active at every single position that they needed to be. The splash of the day for the Browns was signing Jameis Winston to a one-year, $8M deal to backup Deshaun Watson. The best way to see Jameis is a younger Joe Flacco. He has the gunslinger mentality and when called upon, he will be ready to go.

On the defensive side, Cleveland solidified their defensive line with another massive re-signing of Shelby Harris. With Harris agreeing to remain in Cleveland, the Browns will return all of the key members of their defensive line which was one of the best in football in 2023.

Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens: B

Key Additions

• Derrick Henry: Running Back, Tennessee
• Malik Harris: Linebacker, Baltimore

Key Departures

• Patrick Queen: Linebacker, Pittsburgh 
• Geno Stone: Defensive Back, Cincinnati
• Ronald Darby: Defensive Back, Jacksonville
• Devin Duverney: Wide Receiver, Jacksonville
• Gus Edwards: Running Back, Los Angeles Chargers
• Del'Shawn Phillips: Defensive Back, Houston
• John Simpson: Guard, New York Jets

Baltimore continues to get gutted on both sides of the ball. Losing Patrick Queen is a massive blow to their defense but it was one they saw coming at the start of free agency. While not so shocking, it is still a blow to that defense.

However, Baltimore came to terms with Derrick Henry, former running back of the Tennessee Titans who was second in the NFL last year in yards. If Henry even has a little tread left on the tires he is going to be the perfect Baltimore Raven. This could turn out to be one of the better signings of the offseason.

Oct 15, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs in for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.  / Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals: B

Key Additions

• Geno Stone: Defensive Back, Baltimore
• Zach Moss: Running Back, Indianapolis
• Mike Gesicki: Tight End, New England

Key Departures

• Joe Mixon: Running Back, Houston
• Chidobe Awuzie: Defensive Back, Tennessee
• Irv Smith: Tight End, Kansas City

From a free-agency perspective, the Bengals stayed put on day two. The rumors coming out of southern Ohio, however, are enough to give the Bengals an A+ off-season. If they can trade Tee Higgins and a draft pick to Minnesota for Justin Jefferson there will be serious issues in the AFC North.

Until then, the Bengals are having a good start to the offseason.