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 the 2017 draft, which will be held from April 27-29.

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

Baltimore Ravens

Biggest need: Wide receiver

Other needs: Defensive tackle, pass-rusher

The Ravens are in equal need of a wide receiver and a pass-rusher, but the former is slightly more pressing thanks to the presence of Terrell Suggs at outside linebacker, though he'll turn 35 during the 2017 season.

Joe Flacco's regression as a deep thrower over the past few years can be largely attributed to the Ravens' lack of a vertical threat. Mike Wallace has been solid in Baltimore, but the team is desperate for a game-wrecker after finishing 26th in pass plays of 20 yards or more in 2016.

Baltimore was only marginally better at rushing the passer than challenging teams deep, ranking 24th in sacks last season, and is now even weaker after cutting Elvis Dumervil this offseason. While the pass rush can be improved by adding interior lineman who collapse the pocket - another significant need after the Ravens traded Timmy Jernigan to the Eagles - infusing the outside linebacker position with some youth is a must.

Potential draft targets: John Ross, the speedy wide receiver who broke the 40-yard dash record, is the obvious choice. He'd instantly transform the Ravens' offense, as defenses would be forced to respect his speed, opening up the running attack and the underneath passing game.

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In terms of adding a pass-rusher, the Ravens are in luck - this draft class boasts both blue-chip talents and impressive depth. Derek Barnett would be a solid option in the first round, or the Ravens could hope someone like Tim Williams or Taco Charlton is available in the second.

Cincinnati Bengals

Biggest need: Defensive end

Other needs: Offensive line, cornerback

Like the Ravens, the Bengals' top priority is a toss-up between two areas: the pass rush and the offensive line.

Cincinnati's defensive line has two great pieces in Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins, but there's a glaring lack of playmakers beyond them, especially at defense end. Michael Johnson isn't a starting-caliber player, and the Bengals have limited Dunlap's effectiveness by pairing him with others who opponents don't have to worry about. The Bengals recorded 33 sacks in 2016 (23rd in the league), with 17 of those coming from Dunlap and Atkins, which perfectly illustrates how overly reliant the team is on its star duo.

The Bengals also sat back and watched both left tackle Andrew Whitworth and guard Kevin Zeitler - two of the best players at their respective positions - leave in free agency. Overnight, one of Cincinnati's biggest strengths became one of its main weaknesses. The team could be relying on a lot of young talent in 2017, with disappointing high draft picks like Jake Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi penciled in at the tackle spots. While the 2017 draft will only make the unit younger, the Bengals have to find more talent to at least breed some competition within the unit.

Potential draft targets: Former Western Kentucky standout Forrest Lamp would be the ideal pick to fix the offensive line. He's ready to start Day 1, can play at guard or tackle - though the former suits him better - and is equally proficient in pass and run blocking, something that suits the Bengals' balanced offense well.

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As mentioned in the Ravens section, this pass-rushing class is stacked. Barnett would be a great fit in Cincinnati, as would Jonathan Allen. Both would need to be taken in the first, however, so if the Bengals instead look to address the position in later rounds, Tanoh Kpassagnon possesses the blend of size and speed they usually covet.

Cleveland Browns

Biggest need: Defensive end

Other needs: Quarterback, cornerback

Honestly, the "other needs" section could have just read "everything except the offensive line." Despite having a ton of cap room, the Browns basically strengthened their best unit in free agency by signing Zeitler and center J.C. Tretter, while swapping out Terrelle Pryor for Kenny Britt at wide receiver.

The Browns have made it clear they intend to build through the draft, and they emphasized that philosophy by essentially standing pat in free agency.

While Cleveland obviously needs to draft its quarterback of the future soon, Cody Kessler is a decent stop-gap until one can be found. But there isn't much point in adding a quarterback if the defense isn't able to pressure the opponent's pivot, so defensive end is a huge area of need. Emmanuel Ogbah had 5.5 sacks in his rookie season, but struggled mightily in run defense. The Browns simply need more impact players on the edge after ranking 31st in sacks last season.

Back to back poor seasons from Joe Haden also means the Browns must find his successor. The veteran corner will likely perform better when the task of handling the top receiver is given to another player, so Cleveland should prioritize drafting a guy capable of excelling in that role.

Potential draft targets: Hey, Cleveland, are you listening? Draft. Myles. Garrett. First. Overall. The former Texas A&M standout is an elite edge prospect and would immediately fill the team's biggest need. Garrett might not become a superstar overnight, as the rest of the defense needs significant work, but Cleveland shouldn't pass on the perfect combination of value, fit, and need.

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While the Browns are reportedly torn between Garrett and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky at No. 1, they have more than enough ammunition (22 picks in 2017 and 2018 combined) to come out of the first round with both. If a quarterback is a no-go at No. 12, both Marshon Lattimore or Gareon Conley - the draft's two top cornerbacks - could be available, and would present immediate upgrades for the Browns' poor secondary.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Biggest need: Outside linebacker

Other needs: Cornerback, tight end

James Harrison continues to defy Father Time, but at 39 years old, the Steelers cannot go into 2017 with just him, Bud Dupree, and Arthur Moats as their primary pass-rushing options.

Those three combined for 13 of the Steelers' 38 sacks last season, which proves Pittsburgh is capable of producing pressure from multiple different positions, but also shows how much better the unit would be with an edge rusher capable of consistent 10-sack seasons.

Beyond outside linebacker, the Steelers also need a No. 1 option at cornerback. The combination of Ross Cockrell, William Gay, and Artie Burns is solid, but a true shutdown corner capable of holding up in press-man coverage against the league's top receivers would likely push the defense to a whole new level.

Finally, while Ben Roethlisberger says he hasn't lobbied the front office to select a tight end, it would be a smart move. Ladarius Green can't be relied upon to stay healthy, and the veteran quarterback sorely missed the reliable presence of Heath Miller in 2016.

Potential draft targets: At the end of the first round, there should still be some edge rushers capable of making an immediate impact. Tim Williams could be the perfect pass-rushing specialist to groom behind Harrison, and the likes of T.J. Watt and Charles Walker would also be nice additions.

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If a pass-rusher isn't there in the first, there will likely be a corner worth taking a shot at. Gareon Conley will likely be gone, but he'd be ideal for Pittsburgh if he drops, while Chidobe Awuzie or Tre’Davious White might be more realistic options. The tight end class is stacked, and the Steelers could get a star as late as the third round. Evan Engram, Gerald Everett, or Jake Butt would all be great second- or third-round picks, and would elevate an already scary Pittsburgh offense.