Over the next two weeks, we’ll be unveiling our pre-season all-division teams, as is our annual tradition at this time of year. As always, the lists were compiled largely by a panel of just one, although there was significant input from CBSSports.com’s writing and editorial staff after taking a first race on the lists by myself.
We started on Tuesday with the AFC East. Today is AFC North, then we’ll move on to the rest of the conference this week. Next week, place at the NFC. Without delay…
Offensive Skill Stations
QB: Joe Burrow (CIN)
AR: Nick Chubb (CLE)
WR: Ja’Marr Chase (CIN), Tee Higgins (CIN), Diontae Johnson (PIT)
TE: Mark Andrews (BAL)
FLEX: Chase Claypool (PIT)
It was a two-way battle between Burrow and Lamar Jackson for the quarterback spot in this division. While Jackson’s ceiling is as high or higher than any NFL quarterback (as evidenced by his winning MVP and league dominance in 2019), Burrow is likely better positioned to succeed in 2022 by due to the plethora of pass-catching options the Bengals have provided him, as well as an improved offensive line in front of him. It’s like splitting hairs when choosing between two of the best in the game, but it’s what you have to do when you can only choose one for a roster like this.
You can make an argument for Najee Harris, Joe Mixon or even JK Dobbins to run here. But Pittsburgh’s offensive line and likely poor overall quality of offense kept us away from Harris; Mixon’s somewhat limited role in Cincinnati’s offense has kept us away from him (he probably won’t play on obvious passes anymore); and Dobbins’ torn ACL kept us away from him. That leaves Chubb, who, while likely in a limited role, is still arguably the best pure runner in the league. We’ll take that on our team.
Choosing a tight end was easy. While Pat Freiermuth and David Njoku have a chance to shine in bigger roles, Andrews is already among the most productive players in his position. After hitting career highs in catching and receiving yards (and playing time), he should remain Jackson’s best passing game option and have a chance at another All-Pro season. It was also easy to put Chase and Higgins on this team. The two best options for Burrow, they’re going to be really good for a long time. Chase is coming off of one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history, and Higgins, in Year 2, topped 70 catches and 1,000 yards in just 14 games. After those two, it was a matter of choosing between Johnson, Claypool, Rashod Bateman, Amari Cooper and another running back. We went with the Steelers’ two receivers because of the catch ceilings and big plays they’ve shown so far in their careers.
offensive line
OT: Ronnie Stanley (BAL), Jedrick Wills (CLE)
G: Joel Bitonio (CLE), Alex Cappa (CIN)
C: Ted Karras (CIN)
Stanley has missed most of the past two seasons, but last healthy he was an All-Pro caliber player. The bet here is on a healthy season. There are a number of other good tackles to choose from, including Jack Conklin, La’el Collins and Jonah Williams, but we’ll go with Wills continuing to emerge as a quality starter on the left side of the offensive line of Cleveland.
Speaking of quality starters on the left side of Cleveland’s line: Bitonio was an absolute no-brainer here. And then we went with a pair of Cincinnati offensive line imports from this offseason in Cappa and Karras, who should solidify the inside and right side past Burrow. However, Baltimore’s Tyler Linderbaum could take the center spot before long.
defensive front
EDGE: TJ Watt (PIT), Myles Garrett (CLE)
IDL: Cameron Heyward (PIT), Calais Campbell (BAL)
GM: Logan Wilson (CIN), Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (CLE)
Watt and Garrett might be the two best edge rushers in the NFL. It was extremely easy to select them for this list. Heyward remains a hugely effective — and underrated — game-breaker from inside the defensive line. He’s made five consecutive Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams (three first, one second) during that streak, picking up at least eight sacks in four of those five seasons. Even at 33, he should have another great year. Campbell rises in his late 30s and is no longer playing 80-90% of snaps defensively, but he can still wreak havoc as a heavy rotation player. He is one of the most versatile defensive linemen in the league with the ability to rush inside and out, and play passing and running at an extremely high level. As long as he stays healthy, he will produce a lot.
Wilson played a bigger role in his second season in the NFL and was a very solid piece in the middle of a Cincinnati defense that played at a much higher level than expected. He should continue to improve now that he has even more experience. Owusu-Koramoah is one of the most versatile linebackers in the NFL, capable of doing everything from rushing the passer to covering wide receivers in the slot. He’s going to be a huge chess piece for the defense of Joe Woods, who has one of the best back-seven groups in the league.
Defensive backfield
CB: Marlon Humphrey (BAL), Denzel Ward (CLE), Greg Newsome II (CLE)
SAF: Minkah Fitzpatrick (PIT), Marcus Williams (BAL)
FLEX: Jessie Bates III (CIN)
The defensive backs in this division are really good. Humphrey missed a bit of time last year, but when healthy he’s among the NFL’s best covering corners. He will be a fundamental element for the new defensive coordinator Mike McDonald. Ward and Newsome, meanwhile, are already one of the best corner punches in the league. Ward has already received his big payday, and if Newsome’s rookie season was any indication, he’ll be getting his own before long.
When it comes to safety, there’s so much top talent here that players like Grant Delpit, John Johnson III, Chuck Clark and Vonn Bell were barely considered. Fitzpatrick and Williams have already been paid, and Bates is on the franchise tag, as they are all among the small handful of the most effective safeties in the league. Fitzpatrick remains elite cover and is one of the best defensive backs in the league at forcing turnovers. Williams is the prototype of center field safety, being dropped into a loaded secondary. And Bates, even in a somewhat down season last year, was very effective. In what is essentially a contract year, he should be at his best this season.
Specialists
K: Justin Tucker (BAL)
P: Corey Bojorquez (CLE)
RET: Gunner Olszewski (PIT)
I won’t lie…I asked our resident kicking expert (John Breech) who he thinks are the best kickers and punters in each division, and I copy/pasted those names on each team of all divisions. Olszewski was an All-Pro in 2020 and didn’t drop too much last season. It’s reasonable to expect another good season in the second leg, even in a new team.
