AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Steelers

Bengals

Bengals rookie DE Khalid Kareem says that he emulates the game of veteran pass rushers Everson Griffen and Chandler Jones. He also spoke about the type of player he is and the impact he can make on the team’s defense this season.

“He just plays the game the right way, always hustling to the ball,” Kareem told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.“Same thing with Everson Griffen. “They never lay down on the field. They’re always around the ball. They’re always in the picture. I think I’m a balanced player. I can stop the run, but I can cause some havoc on third down. I think I’m a good guy in the locker room. A good team guy. Do whatever my role is and excel at it.”

• Jake Trotter of ESPN says that QB Case Keenum could be one of the Browns’ most important signings, as he will serve as a mentor to QB Baker Mayfield as he enters a crucial third year in the league.
• According to Trotter, former rushing champ RB Kareem Hunt could be the top backup running back in the league behind Nick Chubb, who fell just 46 yards short of the league lead in rushing yards himself last season
• Trotter writes that rookie WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is the X-Factor at wide receiver, despite an underwhelming career at Michigan.
• John Mackey Award winner TE Harrison Bryant could see several targets this season, especially if the Browns decide to move on from TE David Njoku who has requested a trade.
• Trotter surmises that this offensive line group may be the most improved in the league, with the additions of tackles Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin. The question is at right guard where Wyatt Teller could possibly be the weak link.
• The biggest unknown on the Browns will be their pair of second-year linebackers in Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki.
• Trotter says that two rookies to watch in the defensive backfield include S Grant Delpit who could earn a starting job and undrafted rookie CB A.J. Green who received a franchise-record signing bonus for a UDFA.

• Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com mentions that QB Baker Mayfield and rookie T Jedrick Wills will be among the players reporting for testing on Friday despite the fact that the NFL and NFLPA still continue to negotiate.

Steelers

• Brooke Pryor of ESPN picks Devlin Hodges to edge out Paxton Lynch for the backup quarterback role in 2020.
• Due to his chemistry with QB Ben Roethlisberger, veteran WR Ryan Switzer has the ability to save his spot on the roster over some of the other receivers with less experience, according to Pryor.
• With Matt Feiler moving to play left guard to replace Ramon Foster, Pryor expects Zach Banner and Chukwuma Okorafor battle for the right tackle position, as well as veteran interior lineman Stefen Wisniewski.
• On the defensive line, Tyson Alualu is poised to play a crucial role following the loss of Javon Hargrave to the Eagles.