Looking Ahead: AFC North

Projecting what positions an NFL franchise will look to draft players at is difficult work at the best of times and before the new season has even kicked off is certainly not that. However I have taken a look at all 32 NFL teams� rosters and come up with areas where I think they may look to strengthen themselves in the 2011 NFL Draft. In the 1st of 8 articles on this topic I look at the AFC North teams.

Baltimore Ravens
Wide Receiver � The Ravens added Anquan Boldin to their offense in the offseason but with Derrick Mason close to retiring and none of their other receivers ever looking like a starter, they may need to look at this position again in 2011.
Center � Matt Birk may only have a couple of years left in the tank and allowing a young guy to learn from one of the league�s best wouldn�t be a bad thing. Plus 2011 looks like being a good year for centers in the draft.
Cornerback � The NFL is quickly becoming a pass-happy league so you can never have too many corners. I�m also not that high on Dominique Foxworth who may well start for them this year.

Cincinnati Bengals
Running Back � Call me a cynic but I�m still not sure about Cedric Benson as a starting running back and the Bengals need to keep Carson Palmer healthy by developing their run game.
Strongside Linebacker � I�m not sure if USC have a �Sam� coming out this year but if they do they could have a trio of Trojans at linebacker. Either way, adding a guy alongside Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers would give the Bengals one of the best young linebacker groups in the league.
Safety � The Bengals have Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph entrenched at corner but adding some help in the secondary would give those two a big boost.

Cleveland Browns
Quarterback � Eric Mangini says the Browns� quarterback job in Jake Delhomme�s to lose � and that�s a problem. This team needs a franchise QB to help them get over the LeBron fiasco.
Wide Receiver � Browns fans will recall the days of Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius and Donte Stallworth with some fondness, at least in comparison to Mohammed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs anyway.
Inside Linebacker � Do you know what the most impressive thing about the Browns inside linebackers is? That they all still have NFL jobs. This group needs quality.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Offensive Line � I�ve been crying out for at least two years for the Steelers to do something about their offensive line. Now with injuries hitting them before the season even starts they might finally see how bad their depth is.
Defensive Line � The Steelers front three have all been exceptional players at their positions but none of them have very much left in the tank. The Steelers need to find heirs for these guys.
Wide Receiver � After trading the Super Bowl-winning Santonio Holmes and with Hines Ward on the decline, this team needs to find at least one starter going forward.