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AFC North Free Agency: Day One Round Up

By Joe Serpico

Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis talks to Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh before the game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis talks to Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh before the game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taking a look at how the rest of the AFC North has done during the first day of NFL Free Agency.

The AFC North has become one of the better division in the NFL in recent years. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have been the class of the division since its inception, but the Cincinnati Bengals have been the leader in recent years. Then, there are the Cleveland Browns. We will leave it at that.

The Ravens started off free agency by signing tight end Benjamin Watson, and have shown interest in wide receiver Mike Wallace. They have reworked a few deals with some of their own to clear some cap room, including new contracts for Marshal Yanda and Kyle Arrington. Not all is going well, however, as they have lost out on Kelechi Osemele to the Oakland Raiders.

While the Ravens look to improve their team, so is the rest of the AFC North. Here is what the rest of the division is doing on the opening day of free agency:

Browns:

Cleveland is not having a great first day of free agency as several of their free agent hopefuls are moving on. Center Alex Mack is signing with the Atlanta Falcons, while wide receiver Travis Benjamin is headed to the San Diego Chargers.

The team has also pulled their offer on right tackle Mitchell Schwartz. It was reported that he was offered a contract worth nearly $7.5 million per season, which would have made him the second-highest paid right tackle in the NFL.

The Browns should be players in free agency as they have a little more than $48 million in cap space.

Bengals:

Marvin Jones was the first former Bengal to leave The Jungle as he signed an agreement with the Detroit Lions. The Lions needed a WR with the retirement of Calvin Johnson. The Bengals have some questions at receiver as well with Jones out and Mohamed Sanu also a free agent. 

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Cincinnati was able to keep a few of their own by coming to terms with safety George Iloka on a five-year, $30 million deal with $18 million over the first three years. It’s a huge signing for the Bengals as Iloka is arguably one of the best safeties in the game. They also re-upped with tackle and president of the NFL Players Association Eric Winston on a one-year contract.

Adam Jones is drawing a lot of interest around the league, including from the Ravens.

Steelers:

With Heath Miller retiring this offseason, Pittsburgh desperately needed a tight end, and got their man by signing Lardarius Green. Green has split opportunities with Antonio Gates while in San Diego, but will finally gets a chance to start in the Steel City.

Pittsburgh has reached a new deal with guard Ramon Foster. Keeping Foster was important as the team is expected to lose tackle Kelvin Beachum. The Ravens have been linked to Beachum as well.

Next: Ravens Free Agent Rumors: Ben Watson, Mike Wallace

The Ravens have cleared cap space so it is only a matter of time until the news starts coming in about new deals. You can search The Baltimore Wire for our continuous coverage during free agency.

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