What We Learned in 2021: AFC North

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Baltimore Ravens

• Lamar Jackson showed that he can be a top-notch passer in terms of productivity and even without much of an offensive line, conjuring up images of an even higher ceiling in the future than we had contemplated, as he’s the best pure runner in the league at quarterback.
• Jackson suffered an ankle surgery that led to the first extended absence of his career, opening the door for Tyler Huntley to show that he’s a very good backup quarterback, possible starter, and QB1 for fantasy when he gets on the field. Huntley made himself a lot of millions last year.
• The Ravens lost their top three backs before the season started. Combine that with offensive line issues and you got a running game that couldn’t get out of neutral gear even though it was supposed to be the foundation of the offense.
• Mark Andrews was the star of the passing game no matter who was quarterback, elevating himself into the top three fantasy tight ends for 2022 drafts.
• Marquise Brown was a fantasy WR1 when Lamar Jackson and will likely be underrated since his production tailed off when Huntley took over.
• Rashod Bateman’s arrival was delayed by injury, but he looked like the strong future #2, if not #1A, once he got up to speed.

Heroes: Lamar Jackson (until injury), Marquise Brown (until Jackson injury), Mark Andrews, Tyler Huntley
Zeroes: Latavius Murray, TySon Williams

You Might Have Missed: Devonta Freeman had 20 PPR points twice in a three-week span between Weeks 11 and 13.

Biggest Offseason Questions: How does Ja’Wuan James look coming back from Achilles surgery? How does J.K. Dobbins look coming back from ACL surgery? How healthy is Ronnie Stanley?

Bottom Line: Andrews arrived and Jackson flashed a return to fantasy QB1 overall form.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Joe Burrow to JaMarr Chase was as dreamy as we could have hoped despite a rough camp for Chase, following the same path as their former teammate Justin Jefferson’s 2020.
• Tee Higgins didn’t make quite the leap some hoped after a very good rookie year, but his arrow is still pointing up, while possession receiver Tyler Boyd was the odd man out.
• Joe Mixon only missed one game and posted 16 total touchdowns after putting up only 25 in his first four years in the league. He should be right around his usual cost in the late first even though his value is up from previous years

Heroes: Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, JaMarr Chase, Tee Higgins
Zeroes: Tyler Boyd

You Might Have Missed: Mixon’s highest two reception totals of the regular season came in Weeks 16 and 17.

Biggest Offseason Questions: How will the team upgrade the offensive line? Will they bring back C.J. Uzomah in free agency?

Bottom Line: Penei Sewell might have helped in the Super Bowl, but would they have gotten there without him?

Cleveland Browns

• The Odell Beckham chapter in the Browns' history was closed with his release. He was much more productive after leaving Baker Mayfield before tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl, which could slow down his trip to free agency.
• Baker Mayfield didn’t lock up a lucrative extension and might have foreclosed the possibility of the team committing to him long-term if he doesn’t improve after an injury-riddled season.
• Nick Chubb continued to get no respect nationally while toiling in an offense that didn’t have much else to hang its hat on. His ADP will drop in 2022 despite producing at his typical level.
• DErnest Johnson showed mastery of the zone blocking running game in a limited opportunity. He’s a restricted free agency, so it will be telling to see where the Browns set his tender level to protect their 2022 rights.

Heroes: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt (when healthy)
Zeroes: Odell Beckham, Kareem Hunt (when hurt), Jarvis Landry

You Might Have Missed: David Njoku posted a 36-475-4 line with only 53 targets as he enters free agency.

Biggest Offseason Questions: Does the team even consider an extension for Mayfield? Do they move on from Landry or rework his deal? Is Donovan Peoples-Jones ready to be the #1 downfield receiver in year three?

Bottom Line: Mayfield doesn’t look like a #1 overall pick, and he might not be a franchise quarterback

Pittsburgh Steelers

• The Steelers offense was putrid, but they got a keeper in Najee Harris, who should be a huge part of a limited passing game going forward. He’ll reside in the first round of 2022 fantasy drafts.
• The pass offense could only support Diontae Johnson, who put his drops issues behind him for the most part. Chase Claypool seemed to rub the team the wrong way at times on his way to a disappointing second season with no quarterback to get him the ball downfield or offensive line to give a quarterback time to throw downfield.
• Pat Freiermuth scored seven times and caught 60 balls - one more than Claypool - on the way to a successful rookie season that will get him on 2022 draft boards.

Heroes: Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth
Zeroes: Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster

You Might Have Missed: Zach Gentry had more games played, yards, and catches than Eric Ebron.

Biggest Offseason Questions: Who will the team bring in to compete with Mason Rudolph? Will the team attempt to bring back Smith-Schuster or James Washington?

Bottom Line: The Steelers' failure to put a succession plan in place behind Roethlisberger is coming back to haunt them.