AFC North check-in: Most, least improved position groups post-draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, meaning teams have mostly completed their most significant roster moves for the season. With that in mind, here's a look at the most and least upgraded position groups for each AFC North team.

Baltimore Ravens

Most improved position group: Cornerback

The Ravens watched several key players in their secondary go down with injuries last season. So, they smartly added to the room with Clemson's Nate Wiggins in the first round (No. 30) and Iowa State's T.J. Tampa in the fourth round (No. 130).

Baltimore needed to upgrade its No. 2 outside corner opposite Marlon Humphrey, and it did just that. Now the team has high-upside starters and great depth in veterans Brandon Stephens and Arthur Maulet.

Least improved position group: Offensive line

This offseason, the Ravens lost both of their starting guards, John Simpson (Jets) and Kevin Zeitler (Lions), in free agency and traded right tackle Morgan Moses.

However, in the first two days of the draft, Baltimore only drafted one offensive lineman (OT Roger Rosengarten). The team will have three new starters along its offensive line from the unproven talents of Rosengarten, Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland, Daniel Faalele and Patrick Mekari.

Cincinnati Bengals

Most improved position group: Defensive line

The Lions snatched DT D.J. Reader away from the Bengals in free agency. It was a big blow to the defense, but they quickly responded by signing veteran DT Sheldon Rankins.

Cincinnati didn't stop there either, investing a second and third-round pick in Michigan's Kris Jenkins (No. 44) and Texas A&M's McKinnley Jackson (No. 97) on Day 2 of the draft. Veteran B.J. Hill also provides quality depth to the newly bolstered room.

Least improved position group: Running back

One of the Bengals' most head-scratching moves this offseason was trading running back Joe Mixon to the Texans and filling his void with former Bills and Colts RB Zack Moss.

This year's running back class wasn't highly regarded, but Cincinnati opted not to add to the room through the draft. So, now the team will likely roll with Moss and Chase Brown (a fifth-round pick in 2023) as its running back duo in 2024.

Cleveland Browns

Most improved position group: Wide receiver

The Browns didn't have a wide receiver, outside of Amari Cooper, eclipse 650 receiving yards in 2023. In fact, their second-leading receiver was tight end David Njoku (882 yards).

So, Cleveland made it a point to continue surrounding QB Deshaun Watson with more talent this offseason, acquiring WR Jerry Jeudy from the Broncos and selecting Louisville WR Jamari Thrash in the fifth round (No. 156).

The team traded for WR Elijah Moore last offseason, but he underwhelmed with just 640 receiving yards and two touchdown catches in 2023. If he continues to struggle in 2024, it isn't forced to stick with him.

Least improved position group: Inside linebacker

The Browns lost linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. (Dolphins) and Sione Takitaki (Patriots) in free agency. They responded by signing veteran linebackers Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush. However, neither is the future of the position.

Cleveland added to the room in the draft, but not until the sixth round (No. 206) in Mississippi State's Nathaniel Watson. As a result, the team will have to start Bush, who many view as a bust or a young and unproven player like Watson.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Most improved position group: Offensive line

The Steelers have completely rebuilt their offensive line over the past two years. Last year, they signed guard Isaac Seumalo in free agency and drafted offensive tackle Broderick Jones in the first round.

This year, Pittsburgh drafted three offensive linemen in its first five picks: offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round (No. 20), center Zach Frazier in the second round (No. 51) and guard Mason McCormick in the fourth round (No. 119).

The offensive line now has a ton of upside and great depth with offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. and guard Nate Herbig in the room.

Least improved position group: Wide receiver

The Steelers surprised everyone by trading wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Panthers earlier this offseason. They also didn't do much in free agency, signing veterans Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins.

Pittsburgh did add some upside to the room with third-round selection Roman Wilson (No. 84), but he will ideally play in the slot his rookie year.

The team is still reportedly in the trade market for a better No. 2 option, but if it fails to land one, its receiving corps will have taken a step back from a year ago.