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NFL Free Agency: Thoughts On The Moves In The AFC North

By Chris Schisler

Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) against Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams (98) during the third quarter of a game at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) against Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams (98) during the third quarter of a game at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick (72) blocks against Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams (98) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick (72) blocks against Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams (98) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Defense Defense Defense:

The Ravens added Woodhead to the offense but the defense is really getting all the love so far. The Ravens could have justified getting wide receivers in free agency and they didn’t. They could have justified getting offensive linemen in free agency, and thus far they have not done it. It’s a little like the famous line from the Brady Bunch, “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha.” I wonder if Marty Mornhinweg is going “Defense, Defense, Defense.”

The Ravens defense is going to be pretty beastly moving forward. Ozzie and company don’t really need to do much more to make the defense great. They now have a great defensive line, two great safeties and Brandon Williams and C.J. Mosley in the middle of their defense. The defense has a ton of stars. The offense has little help around Joe Flacco, a quarterback who isn’t living up to his contract.

Next: Dominant Defense Is the Ravens' Best Path Forward

The Ravens and the Browns are both winners in NFL Free Agency. The difference here is that the Browns are in it for the long haul. The Ravens are making a legitimate effort to actually push towards the playoffs. With the Bengals potentially going backwards from a bad year, the Browns trying to build up their team and the Steelers staying in a very familiar spot, the Ravens have a shot. They need to draft well, but they got the first half of their to do list done in free agency.

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