Best and Worst 2017 offseason moves by every team: AFC North
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Baltimore Ravens
Best: Drafting Timmy Williams in 3rd round
The Ravens looked as if they had produced the worst defense in football in 2016 as they stuck with that side of the ball through the first three rounds of the draft. Their prized pick was Alabama pass-rusher Williams at the 78th overall position, who had been projected as a possible first-rounder. Williams, and fellow draft pick Tyus Bowser, give the Ravens much needed youth on the edge at a great value.
Worst: Not replacing Steve Smith or Kamar Aiken
Baltimore seems awfully calm for a team whose receiver depth wasn't all that special with Smith and Aiken considering they don't even have those two anymore. In the one season Joe Flacco had decent weapons, the team won the Super Bowl, so it's a bit of a confusing decision to stay satisfied with Mike Wallace and a group of unproven targets.
Cincinnati Bengals
Best: Re-stocking Dalton's weapons
It's about damn time the Bengals put the pressure on Dalton to be their actual franchise quarterback. As the 29-year-old enters the last year of his contract with substantial guaranteed money, the Bengals took speedster John Ross and controversial running back Joe Mixon at the draft to give the quarterback a more complete set of weapons. Now it's on him to do or die.
Worst: Letting Andrew Whitworth, Kevin Zeitler leave in free agency
The weapons have improved, but the big boys took a step back this offseason in Cincy. The Bengals lost their two best offensive linemen in Whitworth and Zeitler, putting a damper on their offense and more emphasis on their weapons to make space for themselves. With $22 million in cap space still left over, the Bengals should have offered more to keep the o-line somewhat intact.
Cleveland Browns
Best: Drafting Myles Garrett 1st overall
Good job, fellas. You didn't mess it up. The Browns went 1-15 last season in order to secure the first overall pick and were able to stay out of their own way long enough to take the best prospect available.
Worst: Signing Kenny Britt to long-term deal
Making 28-year-old Britt the 20th highest paid receiver in the league after one semi-breakout season doesn't really fit the Browns' new "Moneyball" strategy. After eight seasons, the former first-round pick finally notched his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2016 as he was potentially inspired by his expiring contract. Britt will be expected to fill Terrelle Pryor's No. 1 receiver role, but his track record says he may lose motivation if Cleveland gets off to a poor start, as expected.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Best: Drafting backup plans
If it weren't for the Patriots dwarfing the rest of the AFC, the Steelers would be considered a championship-ready contender in the conference - so it was smart to add some depth when immediate needs were not prevalent. The team found backup for James Harrison, Martavis Bryant, William Gay, Le'Veon Bell, and Ben Roethlisberger in the first four rounds as they prepare for a younger era.
Worst: Keeping receiver clutter
Six receivers were called upon to start at some point for the Steelers last season and three more expected contributors were added this offseason. Only Antonio Brown can claim he actually knows where he will sit on the depth chart. With Bryant provisionally reinstated and JuJu Smith-Schuster drafted in the second round, the waters have only been increasingly muddied in the Pittsburgh receivers line.
HEADLINES
- Capture the Flagg: Where No. 1 pick might land, and how he could fit
- Maurice expects league will 'do their job' after late Domi hit on Barkov
- Nylander tees up Game 5 as series heats up: 'Going to be a fun one'
- Pacers' Mathurin ejected in Game 4 win for striking Hunter
- Pacers demolish Cavs to snatch 3-1 series lead