AFC North Notes: Browns, Steelers, Antonio Brown

Browns

• Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot writes the chances of the Browns re-signing LB Joe Schobert are higher now that former GM John Dorsey is gone, though it will still depend on if the Browns feel the younger linebackers on the roster are ready to step up. 
• Despite pursuing Redskins LT Trent Williams hard via trade last year, Cabot writes he might not be an option for the Browns now that new HC Ron Rivera is trying to smooth things over with Williams. 
• Cabot expects QB coach for Baker Mayfield to be a significant part of new Browns OC Alex Van Pelt‘s duties. 
• BrownsZone.com’s Scott Petrak says Cleveland will also evaluate DE Olivier Vernon, LB Christian Kirksey and OT Chris Hubbard to see if they’re worth keeping at their salaries. 

Steelers

• The Athletic’s Ed Bouchette mentions Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor, Florida LB Jonathan Greenard, Clemson WR Tee Higgins, Auburn OT Prince Tega Wanogho and Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet as possibilities with the Steelers’ first pick. 
• Pittsburgh doesn’t pick until No. 49 overall in the second round after trading away its first-round pick this past year. 
• According to Mike Gillespie, the Steelers are expected to hire Bryan McClendon as their new WRs coach.

Antonio Brown 

Former Steelers WR Antonio Brown apologized to the team for the distractions he caused during his time in Pittsburgh. 

“I apologize to those guys for the distractions, the unwanted attention that I probably caused those guys,” Brown told 93.7 The Fan when asked if he had anything to say to Ben Roethlisberger, HC Mike Tomlin and owner Art Rooney II. “To the organization. Obviously you want to clear out any baggage or any disrespect or unintended attention that was brought on to the organization.

“These guys gave me an opportunity when I was 21 years old. I’m forever grateful to those guys, to have the opportunity to not only play with those guys but to be in so many amazing moments. We’ve been through so much. I’m forever grateful and indebted to this organization.“