Identifying the biggest need for every AFC North team

theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering free agency.

AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST

Pittsburgh Steelers

Biggest need: Tight end

Other needs: Cornerback, linebacker

The Steelers ranked as a top-10 offense last season but failed to get valuable contributions at tight end. Jesse James and Xavier Grimble are capable options, but an upgrade at tight end would catapult the offense to another tier.

Pittsburgh upgraded its secondary during last year's draft, but still need reinforcements alongside Artie Burns and Sean Davis. Five-defensive back sets are becoming the norm, and Pittsburgh would do well to get another quality cornerback.

James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons are both slated to become unrestricted free agents. In the event the Steelers can't retain both players, there will be a glaring vacancy at both inside and outside linebacker.

Potential free-agent targets: Pittsburgh should heavily target Martellus Bennett, provided that he doesn't re-up with the Patriots on another team-friendly deal. Bennett would add another layer of complexity to the Steelers' offense and provide Ben Roethlisberger with a prominent red-zone target.

The Steelers need depth at cornerback, and Sam Shields, Marcus Cooper, and Dre Kirkpatrick all represent low-risk, high-upside options for the AFC finalists.

Retaining Harrison and Timmons should be a top priority, but in the event the duo leaves, Karlos Dansby and Manti Te'o both serve as stop-gap pieces.

Baltimore Ravens

Biggest need: Wide receiver

Other needs: Defensive end, cornerback

Steve Smith's retirement created a real void at wide receiver for the Ravens, who were already bereft of depth at the position. Kamar Aiken is a free agent, and few would bet that Mike Wallace tops the 1,000-yard mark again in 2017. If the Ravens are riding or dying with Joe Flacco, they need to put their quarterback in a real position to succeed.

The Ravens finished tied for 24th in sacks as the team failed to get production from their nominal defensive ends in 2016. An improved front three could vault the Ravens back into the category of elite defenses.

Jimmy Smith's best days are behind him, while Shareece Wright inspires little faith as a starter. Tavon Young played well during his rookie year, but the Ravens could be in a perilous spot if they don't improve at cornerback this spring.

Potential free-agent targets: Baltimore could quickly sign Brandon LaFell and Pierre Garcon to its roster, giving the club both depth and quality from two proven veteran presences. Robert Woods and Michael Floyd are also two high-reward players, and both should be entering their primes after disappointing 2016 campaigns.

Paul Kruger may be open for a second stint with the club after winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2012. Chris Long also represents a low-risk veteran option at defensive end, and he'd certainly be within the team's price range.

Cincinnati Bengals

Biggest need: Cornerback

Other needs: Offensive tackle, linebacker

The Bengals ranked fourth in the NFL with 17 interceptions, but don't be fooled by the gaudy numbers. Cincinnati invested first-round picks on Dre Kirkpatrick and Darqueze Dennard, neither of whom panned out, and the former is set to become an unrestricted free agent this spring. Pro Football Focus didn't rank a single Bengals corner in the top 30 of its positional rankings, and it's a glaring weakness for a once-balanced defense.

Cincinnati surrendered 41 sacks last season and needs to do a better job of protecting Andy Dalton. Andrew Whitworth, who did not allow a sack in 2016, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent, and it's eminently possible that he won't be back.

With the exception of Vontaze Burfict, the Bengals' linebacker corps is aging and features several players out of their primes. The team desperately needs to fortify the middle of the defense if it's to compete in the AFC North.

Potential free-agent targets: The Bengals should break the bank in pursuing A.J. Bouye, Prince Amukamara, and Logan Ryan. While it's unlikely they'll be able to sign all three, the Bengals should come away with one of the marquee cornerbacks on the market, especially if they opt to let Kirkpatrick walk.

Whitworth's been a staple of the offensive line since being drafted by the Bengals in 2006, and the team ought to offer him a player-friendly deal. If Whitworth leaves, however, the Bengals should present Riley Reiff with a lofty contract.

If Karlos Dansby isn't retained, the Bengals could find solace in Malcolm Smith, who's been wildly inconsistent, but is a game-breaking talent at his best. Manti Te'o is also a tenable option.

Cleveland Browns

Biggest need: Edge rusher

Other needs: Quarterback, cornerback, running back,

Simply put, the Browns need help at every position with the exception of left tackle, where Joe Thomas is firmly entrenched.

It's likely the Browns will use the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft to select Myles Garrett, but if they don't, they'll need to pursue another edge rusher. Emmanuel Ogbah will be a steady starter next season and Carl Nassib will see increased snaps, but entering the season with Jamie Meder as a starter is an unacceptable proposition.

The Browns desperately need an upgrade at quarterback, but it's unlikely they'll find a long-term solution during free agency. Nevertheless, Cleveland can improve at the position by taking a flier on a host of veteran options.

Joe Haden devolved into one of the NFL's worst starting cornerbacks over the past two seasons and is no longer the player that his reputation would suggest. Jamar Taylor, Marcus Burley, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun comprise a replacement-level group, and the Browns need significant help.

Potential free-agent targets: Cleveland is projected to hold $108 million in cap space this summer, and while no one is advising the organization to spend it all at once, they can address any need they deem necessary.

Nick Perry will likely be the top available edge rusher with Jason Pierre-Paul and Melvin Ingram heading back to their respective teams on franchise tags. The 2012 first-round pick, who posted a career best 11 sacks in Green Bay last season, would be a major addition for a thin Cleveland defensive front.

It's unlikely the Browns find their quarterback of the future, but there's no harm in offering Mike Glennon a one-year prove-it deal. Geno Smith also fits this billing as the Browns search for short-term stability.

Cleveland should offer A.J. Bouye and Stephon Gilmore gargantuan deals in order to entice a top-caliber cornerback to join the moribund franchise.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)