AFC North Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

  • ESPN’s Dianna Russini points out that Bengals QB Andy Dalton was a rookie in 2011 which was the last time the NFL went through a shortened offseason, so that experience could be useful if Cincinnati keeps him around behind No. 1 overall QB Joe Burrow
  • Russini adds the Cincinnati front office sees Dalton as a historic player for the franchise and all decisions with him are handled with a high level of mutual respect. 
  • The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. thinks there’s a better than 50 percent chance the Bengals trade down in the second round. 
  • NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports Wyoming LB Logan Wilson, who got an early jump on the pre-draft process prior to COVID-19 regulations, had in-person meetings with the Bengals among other teams.

Browns

  • Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson says while the Browns have been pegged as a team targeting an offensive tackle, they’re positioning themselves to try and play the board if the right guy doesn’t fall to them. 
  • CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports the Falcons are still trying to get into the top-10 after being rebuffed by Washington. Atlanta is eyeing Arizona’s pick at No. 8 but a trade with the Browns at No. 10 might be more likely, with Florida CB C.J. Henderson and LSU DE K’Lavon Chaisson possible targets. 

Ravens

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson said he “doubts” that he will be running the ball a lot moving forward, considering the playmakers they have on offense. 

“I doubt if I’m going to be carrying the ball a lot going on in the future,” Jackson said, via Clifton Brown of the team’s official site. “We’ve got dynamic running backs. We’re going to have even more receivers. We’ve got Hollywood, Mark Andrews, Nick (Boyle), Willie Snead, Miles (Boykin). We’re going to be pretty good. I don’t think I’ll be running a lot.”

Jackson mentioned that he is focusing on the mental aspect of the game during shelter-in-place orders. 

“If anything, I just want my mind to grow even more, just learning the ins and outs of the game even more – Tom Brady stuff.” Jackson said. “That’s all I want to do right now, focus more.”

  • Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says the Ravens have been calling around about linebackers and could try to trade up for either Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray, LSU LB Patrick Queen or Texas Tech LB Jordyn Brooks
  • If Baltimore strikes out, Breer mentions they could move down with eyes on Wyoming LB Logan Wilson
  • Mike Silver reports that the Ravens were among the teams that made a run at trading for DeAndre Hopkins. Silver wouldn’t be surprised if they drafted a receiver in round one. 

Steelers

  • Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Steelers won’t do an extension for franchise-tagged LB Bud Dupree until they lock up fellow LB T.J. Watt long-term — a fact Dulac says Dupree is aware of. 
  • ESPN’s Brooke Pryor points out both Watt and Dupree are represented by CAA. 
  • CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones says he’s been told the Steelers are content to start their draft on Friday and won’t try to trade back into the first round. 

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