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There's no question that the Cincinnati Bengals were the big winners in the Carson Palmer trade with the Oakland Raiders. The Bengals received first- and second-round selections for Palmer, who lasted two seasons and won a total of eight games.

But did the Bengals get maximum value out of those picks? Steve Muench of Scouts Inc. isn't sure about that.

Cincinnati drafted cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick with the 17th overall pick in 2012 and went with running back Giovani Bernard with the 37th overall selection last week.

Muench believes you can criticize the drafting of Kirkpatrick for a couple of reasons.

"The first is he didn’t project as a playmaker and the next pass he intercepts will be his first NFL pick," he said. "The second is he had problems staying healthy at Alabama and he’s had problem staying healthy since they drafted him. That opens the door for Janoris Jenkins argument, so they may not have gotten the max value for the pick but it’s way too early to say it wasn’t a good pick. I still think he has good fluidity, speed and instincts for a corner with his size."

The Bengals used their second pick in the Palmer trade on taking the first running back of this year's draft.

"Only time will tell but I’m not as high on the Bernard pick," Meunch said. "I like Bernard’s vision, determination and ability to contribute on third down. He’s not a great fit because of his average size and below average power. Wisconsin’s Montee Ball or Alabama’s Eddie Lacy are better overall prospects and better fits. Plus, it’s not like they need help with punt returns."

Kirkpatrick will get a chance to start this season, but he'll have to be out Terence Newman. He only played in five games last season, making a total of four tackles, because of injuries.

Bernard is expected to be the change-of-pace back behind starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The Bengals were looking for an explosive, big-play back who can impact the passing game. On a side note, I did get a chuckle out of the Bengals using one of the Palmer picks on a running back. The Bengals' running backs coach is Hue Jackson, who helped orchestrate the trade for Palmer in October 2011 when he was the head coach of the Raiders at the time.

It'll likely take another two to three years before the Bengals can determine whether they got the most out of those two gift picks from the Raiders.

Two days into what had been an impressive draft for the Cincinnati Bengals, ESPN's Tedy Bruschi said, "If there was a year they can win the division, it's this year." Herm Edwards raised expectations even higher, predicting the Bengals would win the AFC North by two games.

Did the Bengals do enough this offseason to surpass the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens? The answer lies with quarterback Andy Dalton.

The Bengals can take the next step only if Dalton does. Over the course of three days in the NFL draft, Cincinnati did everything it could to help the offense and its third-year starting quarterback. In turn, it increased the pressure on Dalton to deliver in the red zone, on third downs and in the playoffs.

It started in the first round when the Bengals passed on drafting a strong safety, the team's most pressing need, in favor of taking Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert, the best tight end in the draft. Before the second round, the Bengals re-signed free-agent right tackle Andre Smith, which brought back all five starters from the NFL's second-best pass-blocking offensive line. Then, with its first pick in the second round, Cincinnati made North Carolina's speedy Giovani Bernard the first running back taken in this year's draft.

Two poor performances in the playoffs have raised questions whether Dalton is a franchise quarterback. The Bengals should be able to determine that this year after adding these playmakers.

Dalton now has another big target inside the 20-yard line with Eifert. He has an exciting checkdown option with Bernard, a luxury that Joe Flacco has enjoyed for years with Ray Rice. This is in addition to throwing to two Pro Bowl players, wide receiver A.J. Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham, and handing the ball off to grind-it-out back BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

There is no reason for this offense to rank 22nd in the NFL or flame out in the playoffs, as it did last year. I'm not the only one saying that, either.

"There shouldn’t be any excuses,” Dalton told reporters this week. “The players we already have and adding these guys is just going to make the offense better. So I expect us to take the next step. I expect us to improve from where we were last year. Time will tell, but we’ve got the right attitude going in and the way we’ve been working. I don’t expect any less.”

Right now, Dalton is a good quarterback, not a great one. He's right in the middle of the pack of NFL starters. Dalton has potential and a lot of qualities that you can't teach quarterbacks. He's smart. He has a feel for reading defenses. He has great anticipation to throw the ball even before his receiver breaks out of his route.

In his first two years, Dalton has done something that hadn't been accomplished in Cincinnati in more than three decades -- lead the Bengals to the playoffs in back-to-back years. He also has thrown 47 touchdowns in 32 career games. The only quarterbacks who have passed for more in their first two seasons in the NFL are Dan Marino (68) and Peyton Manning (52).

But in a division with Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco, two quarterbacks who have combined for 19 playoff wins and three Super Bowl titles, a quarterback is going to be judged by the postseason. Dalton is 0-2 in the playoffs and is a major reason for those defeats. He threw three interceptions in his first playoff game in the 2011 postseason (including a critical pick returned for a touchdown by J.J. Watt) and failed to complete half of his throws in his second postseason game in the 2012 playoffs.

Dalton knows he has to be better than no touchdowns and four interceptions in two playoff games. He knows he has to complete more than 47.5 percent of his passes on third down. He knows the Bengals must improve from being the NFL's 16th-best red zone offense. And he knows he can't commit 20 turnovers (16 interceptions, four fumbles) and have four of them returned for touchdowns as he did last season.

What impresses me the most about Dalton is how he handles criticism. When he was getting bashed for a lack of arm strength last season, he showed swagger that's not often seen in young quarterbacks. Dalton handled the addition of these young playmakers on offense the same way.

“I don’t feel more pressure,” Dalton said. “I expect to be better this year. Regardless if we didn’t get anybody, I would still expect to be better. The more weapons we have, the better I feel.”

I get the feeling that the Bengals want Dalton to feel pressure this year, which is a different approach. Last year, coach Marvin Lewis said he didn't want Dalton to listen to criticism because the team had no doubts in him. But in March, offensive coordinator Jay Gruden set a different tone, saying Dalton has "got a long way to go."

"He’s done some great things for a second-year quarterback, won a lot of games and thrown some good touchdown passes, but we feel like he has not come close to his potential," Gruden said.

It's time for Dalton to live up to that potential. The Bengals return a top-10 defense and added talented young weapons on offense. Everything is set up for the Bengals to go from a playoff team to a Super Bowl contender. All they need is a quarterback to take them there.

Let's break down the Cincinnati Bengals' 2013 draft:

FIRST-ROUND SPOTLIGHT: Not saying this has been bad, but the Bengals have been predictable in past drafts. Drafting tight end Jermaine Gresham (2010) and wide receiver A.J. Green (2011) in the first rounds were not surprises. Even last year, many thought the Bengals would take cornerback and a guard. But no one had the Bengals selecting Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert falling to No. 21. The Bengals didn't need a tight end. Eifert, though, will stretch the field more than Gresham and adds another target in the red zone. If Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones hadn't slipped to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they may have taken Eifert at No. 17.

IN HINDSIGHT: The Bengals' biggest need was strong safety and they didn't add one until the third round, when the selected Georgia's Shawn Williams. Cincinnati could have taken a higher-rated safety in the second round. With their second pick of the second round, the Bengals opted to draft Southern Methodist defensive end Margus Hunt over South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger. Hunt was drafted at No. 53, and Swearinger went to the Houston Texans four spots later. It will interesting to track the careers for Swearinger and Williams.

BEST VALUE: That being said, the best value was Hunt in terms of the Bengals' draft board. According to the team's website, Hunt was among the top 21 players on the Bengals' draft board and fell to No. 53. The 6-foot-8, 277 pound lineman was among the strongest and fastest defensive linemen at the NFL combine. In terms of value, some have compared this situation to 2010 when the Bengals got defensive end Carlos Dunlap at the 54th overall pick.

TOP LATE-ROUND PICKUP: Offensive tackle Reid Fragel, Ohio State. Projected to go as high as the third round, Fragel lasted until the seventh. He's developmental prospect who played three seasons at tight end in college before switching to offensive tackle last season. Fragel put on nearly 30 pounds since the end of his junior season, so he's still growing into the position. Strong and smart, Fragel could turn into a late-round success story.

SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T LIKE THIS DRAFT: Bernard Scott. He has to wonder whether he should have re-signed with Cincinnati 17 days ago. The Bengals took the first running back in the draft, selecting North Carolina's Giovani Bernard with the 37th overall pick. Bernard is a fast back who will complement BenJarvus Green-Ellis and will be critical on third downs because of his pass-catching ability. Cedric Peerman, one of the team's top special teams player, is expected to be the No. 3 back. There's a chance that the Bengals could put Scott, who tore his ACL last October, on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to keep him around in case the Bengals need a back midway through the season.

The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals had the most successful drafts in the NFL. This isn't me saying it. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. gave three teams an 'A', and two of them were last season's playoff teams from this division. Take a bow, Ravens and Bengals.

You'll need a subscription to read all about Kiper's 2013 draft grades , but I'll give you a portion of what Kiper had to say about the Ravens, Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, along with my take on each one:

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Kiper Jr.'s grade: A-minus

Kiper Jr.'s comment: "The Ravens had another excellent draft because they needed starters at some key spots and pulled it off. That's not easy to do when you're slotted in at No. 32."

Jamison Hensley's take: What stands out about the Ravens' draft is they might have found three immediate starters despite selecting at the bottom of the round for two of them. The player I like the most is Kansas State inside linebacker Arthur Brown. The Ravens aggressively traded up for him, and he should supplant Rolando McClain. Matt Elam should replace James Ihedigbo at safety, although his size is a concern. Missouri Southern State's Brandon Williams has a chance to beat out underachieving Terrence Cody at nose tackle. I would give the Ravens a grade slightly lower, because they were unable to address wide receiver and offensive tackle earlier. By just a few picks, Baltimore saw West Virginia receiver Stedman Bailey get taken before them in the third round and watched Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton go in the fourth. Excellent draft for defense, a below-average one on offense.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Kiper Jr.'s grade: A-minus

Kiper Jr.'s comment: "The Bengals somehow didn't address a pretty big need early (and they don't have many) and still really impressed me. The Bengals seem to be a groove with the draft, the only downside being the picks that came via the Carson Palmer deal are now spent. It was fun while it lasted."

Hensley's take: The Bengals raised expectations because of productive drafts the past couple of years, and they might have surpassed them with this group of players. Using the 21st overall pick on Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert, a player some draft experts had going as high as No. 6, is one of the best values in the first round even though this position wasn't a need for Cincinnati. It's true North Carolina's Giovani Bernard wasn't the top-rated running back of this draft, but his ability to break big plays and catch the ball is exactly what the Bengals coveted. Plus, it's a bonus pick from the Palmer trade. Southern Methodist defensive end Margus Hunt, an athletic freak, intrigues me more than any other pick in this division. The biggest knock is the Bengals didn't address their biggest need (safety) until the third round. Georgia's Shawn Williams isn't on the same level as an Elam or Johnathan Cyprien, both of whom were available in the first round, but he'll get a chance to start.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Kiper Jr.'s grade: B

Kiper Jr.'s comment: "The Steelers got a little bit of their bite back. I love the selection of Jarvis Jones in Round 1. I just thought Le'Veon Bell was a bit of a reach. I'll say this for him, however: Bell played behind some pretty awful blocking last year and still managed to be productive."

Hensley's take: If you read my post-draft analysis, you already know that I think taking Jones was the best move when looking at the drafts for every AFC North team. The Steelers needed a pass-rusher after cutting James Harrison, and they got the best one coming out of college this year at No. 17. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the pick I'm most skeptical about is the Michigan State running back Bell. He's a finesse back who could turn out to be another Rashard Mendenhall in terms of running style. I'm not enamored by Oregon State wide receiver Markus Wheaton or Illinois cornerback Terry Hawthorne, but it's hard to criticize given the Steelers' history with wide receivers in the third round and cornerbacks in the middle of the draft. The second-best player in Pittsburgh's draft class could turn out to be Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas, a fourth-round selection.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Kiper Jr.'s grade: C-plus

Kiper Jr.'s comment: "I don't know if it's a good thing, per se, but the guy who will impact the Browns most in 2013 might not be the player they took at No. 6 overall. The hope is (LSU linebacker Barkevious) Mingo becomes a star, and (San Diego State cornerback Leon) McFadden can perform early. The good news is, both could happen."

Hensley's take: When looking at the players the Browns drafted over these three days, I would give the Browns a C-minus. When you look at the big picture, the Browns deserve a solid B. I like the fact that the Browns took a pass-rusher with the upside of Mingo in the first round over Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner. I like how the Browns traded two picks in the middle rounds of this mediocre draft for higher ones next year. And, even though it was a move made by the old regime, I like the decision to draft wide receiver Josh Gordon in the second round of last year's supplemental draft even more when looking at the wide receivers that were available in the second round Friday night. You also have to add veteran wide receiver Davone Bess to this class after the Browns picked him up for basically nothing during this draft. My biggest criticism, and I brought it up in the post-draft analysis, was failing to sign a veteran cornerback in free agency. That would have strengthened the reason to pass on Milliner in the first round and would have taken pressure off McFadden, the 11th cornerback taken in the draft, to start right away.

» NFC draft analysis: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

It was quite apparent that every team in the AFC North had a specific plan in this year's draft, and each one differed greatly.

The defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens wanted to rebuild the defense, using their first four picks for that side of the ball. It started with Florida safety Matt Elam at the bottom of the first round.

The Cincinnati Bengals believed the key to taking the next step in the playoffs was adding more weapons on offense. There's no more excuses for quarterback Andy Dalton after the Bengals took the first tight end (Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert) and running back (North Carolina's Giovani Bernard) in this year's draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers believe bouncing back from an 8-8 season requires upgrading two of the team's weakest areas, the pass rush (Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones) and running game (Michigan State back Le'Veon Bell). The Steelers didn't take a tight end, which will be a trouble spot if Heath Miller hasn't fully recovered from knee surgery by the start of the season.

And, in the first draft under their new regime, the Cleveland Browns obviously didn't like the depth of this draft, trading twice in the middle rounds to stockpile more picks in the 2014 draft. The Browns picked only two players (LSU linebacker Barkevious Mingo and San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden) in the first five rounds.

Here are some more thoughts on how the draft unfolded for the division ...

BEST MOVE

The Steelers had a top-five talent -- Jones -- fall into their laps at No. 17. So, how is that the "best move?" Pittsburgh invested a first-round pick in Jones when other teams were scared off by medical concerns and a poor pro-day workout. His fall is reminiscent of how Terrell Suggs fell in the 2003 draft, and you remember how that turned out.

Jones has the potential to be the best defensive player in this draft. He led the nation in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (24.5) and forced fumbles (seven) despite missing two games last season. His burst, strength and athleticism coming off the edge make him a perfect fit for the Steelers defense and the heir apparent to James Harrison.

There is a risk involved because he's previously been diagnosed as having stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal column that has shortened NFL careers. But the Steelers couldn't pass on a disruptive rusher like Jones. Since leading the NFL in sacks in 2010, the Steelers ranked 17th in 2011 and 15th in 2012. Taking Jones is the first step to turning the NFL's top-ranked defense into more of a playmaking one.

Making the best move doesn't mean the Steelers had the best draft in the AFC North. That honor goes to the Bengals. The Steelers reached in the second round by taking Bell, a finesse back who will remind many of Rashard Mendenhall. Pittsburgh chose Bell over more explosive backs like Alabama's Eddie Lacy and UCLA's Johnathan Franklin.

Outside of drafting Jones, the Steelers' other great move was trading up in the fourth round to select Syracuse safety Shamarko Thomas, a high-energy and hard-hitting defensive back. Pittsburgh had to give up a 2014 third-round pick for him, but the Steelers could get a third-round compensatory pick next year for losing wide receiver Mike Wallace.

RISKIEST MOVE

The AFC North team that needs the most infusion of talent in this draft decided to play spectator. The Browns added two players in the first 174 picks of this week's draft. New general manager Mike Lombardi channeled Bill Belichick in trading picks in the fourth and fifth rounds of this draft for selections in the third and fourth rounds in 2014.

These moves make sense because next year's draft should be deeper than this one, but this offers little immediate help to a franchise that has lost 57 games in the past five seasons. Plus, there are no guarantees that Lombardi or chief executive officer Joe Banner will be making those picks next year. The federal investigation into owner Jimmy Haslam's family-run truck stop business has put a cloud of uncertainty over the franchise.

Some can argue the Browns' first pick was a risky move as well. Instead of filling the team's biggest need with Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, the Browns went with the highest-rated player on their board, Mingo, a pass-rush menace with tremendous upside, at No. 6 overall. The decision was the right one, although I would feel better about it if the Browns addressed cornerback in free agency.

Sitting with a league-high $33 million in salary-cap room entering the draft, the Browns refused to spend money on a veteran starter, whether it was Brent Grimes, Sean Smith, Aqib Talib, Keenan Lewis or Cary Williams. Instead, it looks like the Browns will start either Buster Skrine or the 68th player taken in this draft (McFadden). According to ESPN Stats & Information, Cleveland allowed 22 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers last season, tied for second-most in the NFL.

It was a quiet final day for the Browns. Cleveland used a sixth-round pick on Notre Dame free safety Jamoris Slaughter, who hasn't fully recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and a seventh-rounder on defensive end Armonty Bryant, a character risk from East Central Oklahoma.

MOST SURPRISING MOVE

The Bengals were full of surprises, and I mean that in a good way. Everyone knew the Bengals were going to take a safety, linebacker or running back in the first round. Wrong. Cincinnati went with the draft's best tight end, Eifert, with the No. 21 overall pick even though they drafted Jermaine Gresham with the No. 21 overall pick three years ago. Eifert is a matchup nightmare for defenses, from the red zone to deep downfield. The Bengals took advantage of a draft that featured a run of offensive linemen and pass-rushers in the top 20. That allowed Eifert, the best offensive playmaker in the draft behind Tavon Austin, to fall unexpectedly to Cincinnati.

The Bengals delivered a milder surprise in the second round, when they made Bernard the first running back taken. Rated as the fourth-best back in this draft by Mel Kiper Jr., Bernard has the chance to be the next Ray Rice. Later in the second round, Cincinnati added to an already deep defensive line with Southern Methodist's Margus Hunt, a world-class discus thrower. In total, the Bengals brought in three of the best athletes at their positions, which is a strong foundation for any draft.

FILE IT AWAY

The Ravens solidified the middle of their defense for years to come with their first three picks: Elam, Kansas State inside linebacker Arthur Brown and Missouri Southern State's Brandon Williams. The problem is the Ravens did nothing of significance to improve their wide receiver group. (They drafted Elon's Aaron Mellette in the seventh round.) Baltimore gave quarterback Joe Flacco a $120.6 million contract and then took away his go-to receiver in Anquan Boldin. The Ravens didn't replace him in free agency and, as of the start of the seventh round, didn't draft a wide receiver. Baltimore's first pick on an offensive player was Harvard fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

The only proven receivers on the roster are Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones, who is more of a returner than a starting wideout. Of the remaining receivers -- Tandon Doss, David Reed, Tommy Streeter, Deonte Thompson and LaQuan Williams -- none was drafted in the first three rounds and two went undrafted. It's a group that has combined for 21 receptions and one touchdown. That said, please spare me the repeated questions about the Ravens' signing Chad Johnson or Terrell Owens.

Here is a quick recap of what happened in the AFC North on Friday night:

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Second round: 37. RB Giovani Bernard, North Carolina. Bernard provides the speed and playmaking ability that the Bengals wanted to add this year. He is also an effective receiver. Bernard is a sudden change of pace compared to BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Second round: 53. DE Margus Hunt, Southern Methodist. Even though the Bengals have depth on the defensive line, they couldn't pass up this freak athlete from Estonia. He's a developmental value pick who will make an immediate impact on special teams, especially in blocking kicks.

Third round: 84. SS Shawn Williams, Georgia. The Bengals waited until the third round to address safety, and it's unknown if Williams can fill the void at strong safety. He's an in-the-box defender who is strong and durable.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Third round: 68. CB Leon McFadden, San Diego State. He lacks elite size (5-foot-9) and speed but he's experienced and has good awareness. The Browns will give him a shot to start opposite Joe Haden.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Second round: 56. ILB Arthur Brown, Kansas State. Brown is an instinctive, sideline-to-sideline linebacker. He isn't the biggest or the fastest. Brown just finds a way to get to the ball.

Third round: 94. Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern State. Athletic big man who can play anywhere along the line and break down the pocket (27 career sacks). The question is whether he can step up from Division II competition, although he held his own at the Senior Bowl.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Second round: 48. RB Le'veon Bell, Michigan State. There has been criticism that he doesn't run with the power of a back his size. Bell, though, gets yards after contact and is a weapon in the passing game. He's an every-down back.

Third round: 79. WR Markus Wheaton, Oregon State. Wheaton is a great leaper who can run after the catch. But he doesn't provide size to a wide receiver group that desperately needs it.

In the first half-hour of the second round, the Cincinnati Bengals crossed off two needs on offense.

Just before making their pick, the Bengals reached a deal to retain right tackle Andre Smith. Then, Cincinnati used the 37th overall pick (the one from the Carson Palmer trade) on North Carolina's Giovani Bernard, who becomes the first running back taken in the draft. It's the latest a running back has ever been taken in the NFL draft.

Some might be surprised that the Bengals chose Bernard over Alabama's Eddie Lacy, who had been the top-rated back by many draft experts. But there was a report last month that Bengals coach Marvin Lewis showed particular interest in Bernard's pro-day workout.

The Bengals are looking to get more catches out of their receivers, and Bernard is an effective pass catcher. He has good focus and hands, which helped him catch 92 passes over his final two seasons with the Tar Heels.

With Smith back, the Bengals return all of their starters on offense. Smith was expected to re-sign with the Bengals, but it look longer than anyone expected.

The AFC North blog continues to look at the different positions and rank each team in terms of draft need. For Tuesday, the blog is addressing running backs. Mel Kiper Jr.'s top five running backs are: Alabama's Eddie Lacy, Wisconsin's Montee Ball, UCLA's Johnathan Franklin, North Carolina's Giovani Bernard and Florida's Mike Gillislee.

Here's the rankings ...

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: It's a tough break for the Steelers because they need a featured running back and could take the top-rated one in the draft with the No. 17 overall pick. But this is an average draft class for running backs and it would be too big of a reach to use that pick on Lacy. This is why the Steelers are hoping to sign free agent Ahmad Bradshaw. Pittsburgh could take a running back as early as the second round. The Steelers had one of their worst rushing seasons with the inconsistent combination of Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman along with a banged-up Rashard Mendenhall. Pittsburgh should draft a running back at some point in the draft because Mendenhall is gone and Dwyer and Redman will be free agents next season.

2. Cincinnati Bengals: The starting job is set with BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The Bengals, though, would like to draft a speedy running back who can provide more big plays and share the workload with Green-Ellis. Cincinnati re-signed Bernard Scott, but he seems to be a fallback option at this point. The Bengals have had pre-draft visits with Lacy and Bernard.

3. Cleveland Browns: Unlike last year, running back is not a priority. Trent Richardson, last season's No. 3 overall pick, has a chance to break out this year if he can avoid injuries. The Browns have some depth with Montario Hardesty (a second-round pick in 2010), Chris Ogbonnaya and recently acquired Dion Lewis. Cleveland may be interested in a back who offers a better change of pace than Hardesty, but the Browns have more pressing needs in this draft. The Browns could take a fullback because Owen Marecic has failed to live up to expectations.

4. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens have one of the best one-two punches in the NFL with Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce. Rice remains one of the top five backs in the league, and Pierce exceeded expectations as a rookie third-round pick. Baltimore also has Anthony Allen, who has turned into a versatile special-teams player. In terms of offense, running back ranks last on the Ravens' draft needs.

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to add speed and youth to their backfield in this draft to complement BenJarvus Green-Ellis. You can add catching ability to that list as well.

The Bengals targeted running backs 50 times last year, which was third-fewest in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Green-Ellis was targeted 26 times last season, tied for 39th in the NFL.

In his five-year NFL career, Green-Ellis has never been considered much of a receiver. His 22 receptions last season for the Bengals were a career high.

The Bengals, though, obviously want to get more production out of the backfield in the passing game. That's why Cincinnati had expressed interest in a free-agent back like Reggie Bush.

There was a report last month that Bengals coach Marvin Lewis showed particular interest in the pro day workout of North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard, who is known to be an effective receiver. He has good focus and hands, which helped him catch 92 passes over his final two seasons with the Tar Heels. Bernard could be an early second-round pick.

The last Bengals running back to make more than 30 catches in a season was Kenny Watson in 2007. He had 52 receptions that season, which ranked third on the team.

I'm heading back to AFC North headquarters this morning after a productive day-long NFL summit at ESPN on Wednesday. From the discussions and feedback, I came away encouraged about the continuing evolution of the blogs. We'll talk more about that as we get closer to the season. For now, it's time for your wake-up call ...

RAVENS: Early last month, ESPN's Todd McShay had Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o falling to the Ravens at the bottom of the first round. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. doesn't see that happening. In a conference call, Kiper said there's "no way" Te'o will last until the last pick of the first round. Kiper doesn't see Te'o getting past the Giants, Bears or Vikings. He thinks LSU linebacker Kevin Minter would be a "nice pick" for the Ravens.

BENGALS: Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro and North Carolina running back back Giovani Bernard have pre-draft visits with the Bengals this week, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. Both players have been linked to the Bengals, who have three picks in the first two rounds of the draft. Cincinnati is looking for a starting strong safety and a speedy change-of-pace running back. Bernard reportedly drew the attention of head coach Marvin Lewis at his pro day and had dinner with team officials in Cincinnati on Wednesday night.

STEELERS: Running back-returner LaRod Stephens-Howling was among three unrestricted free agents to visit the cap-strapped Steelers on Wednesday, according to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Before the start of free agency, I linked Stephens-Howling to the Steelers because he can fill the role of Chris Rainey. A free agent out of Arizona, Stephens-Howling is an elusive back who can provide a big-play spark, whether it's as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. Two backups, 49ers linebacker Tavares Gooden and Texans center-guard Antoine Caldwell, also met with the Steelers.

BROWNS: Brigham Young defensive end-linebacker Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, who has been linked to the Browns with the No. 6 pick, is scheduled to go to Cleveland for a pre-draft visit. He is also visiting the Eagles and Cardinals. Ansah is a raw pass-rushing prospect who played football for only three years. Last season, he had 62 tackles, including 13 for loss and 4.5 sacks. “Ziggy Ansah is going to be a top-five guy,” Kiper said, via The Akron Beacon Journal. “At the worst, top-10.”

Here's an AFC North programming note: I will be taking the next three days off for the holiday. But there still will be posts on the blog Friday and Saturday. So, to keep updated with all of the news, please check the headlines on the ESPN.com NFL main page. I will catch up on Monday and give my take on any happenings. Have a safe weekend. Here's the wake-up call ...

RAVENS: The lack of depth on the defensive line forced Haloti Ngata to play out of position at defensive end last season. With the additions of Chris Canty and Marcus Spears, Ngata expects to go back to playing either defensive tackle or nose tackle. “All the space, I just don’t like it because they can read you that much longer,” Ngata told the team's official website. “I’m good with whatever, but if I have to go play nose or inside more, that would be awesome. I would rather stay inside than outside. That’s where I’m more comfortable.”

BENGALS: Head coach Marvin Lewis seemed to be particularly interested in the pro day workout of North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard, a source told CBS Sports. Bernard showed quickness and burst during his positional drills, the website reported. The Bengals are looking to add speed to their backfield and get a backup who complements BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Bernard ran for 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, ranked 11th nationally by averaging 122.8 yards per game and led the country by averaging 16.4 yards per punt return. He is the >fourth-ranked running back by Mel Kiper Jr. and could be targeted by the Bengals early in the second round.

STEELERS: Free-agent running back Ahmad Bradshaw left his visit in Pittsburgh without a deal but the sides will continue to talk, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. What's likely holding up an agreement is Bradshaw's health. He had surgery to replace a screw in his right foot in late January and wasn't expected to make any free-agent visits until the middle of April. It also looked like Bradshaw had either a walking boot or brace on his right leg when he posed for a photo with wide receiver Antonio Brown outside the Steelers facility. Bradshaw and the Steelers could get a deal done when the 27-year-old running back is full recovered. Unlike James Harrison, the Steelers are going to keep the door open for Bradshaw. Also, free-agent safety James Sanders, a backup last year with the Cardinals, visited the Steelers.

BROWNS: Chief executive officer Joe Banner said Brandon Weeden enters the offseason as the No. 1 quarterback but the starter for the season opener has yet to be determined. The Browns signed veteran quarterback Jason Campbell to a two-year contract earlier this week. "Brandon's the starter, and there's competition,'' Banner told ESPN Radio in Cleveland, via The Plain Dealer. "He'll have to come in and play well and work hard and prove that he deserves to maintain the position he starts in." Campbell's $1.5 million salary in 2013 nearly doubles Weeden's salary ($757,436). Banner said quarterback is "a to-be-determined position" but added that Weeden is "going to get every chance to prove he has the ability to take us to the next level.” The Browns also announced they signed free-agent punter Jake Schum.

The Pittsburgh Steelers would like to draft an outside linebacker, especially given the price tag of James Harrison, who's 34. They would do well to add a safety, considering the age of their starters.

There's no such flexibility when it comes to running back. Pittsburgh has to draft someone who can gain the tough yards, break big runs and carry the load in the ground game. Calling running back a draft need is an understatement. Finding a feature back is the priority of the Steelers' draft.

Teams talk about the necessity of having two solid running backs. Right now, the Steelers have just one running back under contract, Baron Batch, who has a healing forearm and a 2-yard average on 25 career carries. General manager Kevin Colbert should get a front-row seat when the running backs take the field for the NFL combine. The Steelers can't go into the 2013 season with championship aspirations if they don't have an answer at running back, and they don't need an anonymous player to point that out.

The challenge for the Steelers is choosing a top runner in a running back class that lacks top-tier prospects. It's not an ideal situation, but it's not as if Pittsburgh has another option.

It's time to move on from Rashard Mendenhall, an unrestricted free agent who is expected to get a better offer elsewhere. It's time to acknowledge that restricted free agents Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman are complementary backs, not starting-caliber ones. It's time to add fresh legs to a Steelers' running attack that has been losing ground the past couple of years.

The Steelers rushed for 1,537 yards in 2012, their fewest in a season since 2003 (1,488). They failed to make the playoffs both seasons, which isn't a coincidence.

"I can say collectively that group wasn't as good as we anticipated," Colbert said after the season. "Where we were in the running game last year was indicative of the talent at the position.”

That was a Bernard Pollard-type shot from Colbert. The message is that the Steelers have to upgrade the running back position, not stick with the status quo.

Even if the salary cap-strapped Steelers had the space, they shouldn't go after free agents like Steven Jackson, Ahmad Bradshaw or Reggie Bush. It's proven that you want to avoid backs who have more than five years of wear and tear. A big back like Shonn Greene is intriguing, but he is probably too pricey for Pittsburgh's cap situation.

The Steelers also shouldn't consider Mendenhall, even though it's tempting to re-sign him because of his age (25) and previous success. Mendenhall hasn't been the same runner the past two seasons. He's been using so many stutter steps and spin moves approaching the line of scrimmage that he seems to be auditioning to become the next Steeler on "Dancing With The Stars." He also has had issues with fumbling (11 in 1,006 career touches) and with leaving the stadium after being told he wasn't going to play (which led to a one-game suspension).

The easiest -- and cheapest -- way to improve the position is through the draft. The difficulty is finding the right runner. Ask a draft expert to name the top running back in this year's draft and you might get five different answers.

Alabama's Ed Lacy, who has been projected to go in the first round by Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, will reportedly not participate in workouts at this week's NFL scouting combine because of a hamstring injury. Wisconsin's Montee Ball led the nation with 1,923 rushing yards last season, but there are concerns that he was overworked in college. North Carolina's Giovani Bernard lacks ideal size, although he can produce big plays in the run and pass game. Michigan State's Le'veon Bell is a bruising back who doesn't have great vision. South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore is the most talented back, but he suffered major injuries to both knees in consecutive seasons.

The Steelers historically don't take running backs early in the draft. Since 2000, only one running back (Mendenhall) has been selected in the first four rounds by Pittsburgh. Recent NFL history shows the Steelers don't have to reach for a running back in the first round this year. Ray Rice, LeSean McCoy, Alfred Morris and DeMarco Murray were all selected No. 53 (second round) or later in the past five drafts.

Some will argue that the Steelers don't need a featured back. This is a passing league, and the offense will still be centered on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But running the ball is an indicator of success. Of the top 12 rushers in 2012, eight came from playoff teams. The Steelers have to get defenses to respect their running game so pass-rushers aren't teeing off on Roethlisberger.

"I can't say that I have the answers, but I think, again, everybody in this building agrees that that's a place we've got to get better at, and we've got to figure out what we need to do to get better," team president Art Rooney II said after the season. "It's something that I think, for the Pittsburgh Steelers to be successful, that's got to be one of the foundations and we've got to figure that out."

A few years ago, Rooney mandated that the Steelers run the ball more consistently and efficiently. They thought they could fix the running game by changing offensive coordinators. Now, it's time to make a change at running back, and the Steelers need to do so through the draft.

Baltimore Ravens

A less-than-positive review of Terrence Cody's season, from Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. Wilson: "It was a rough season by all accounts for Ravens noseguard Terrence Cody. The massive former second-round draft pick was controlled or knocked off the line of scrimmage on a consistent basis, getting shoved back into the linebackers."

NFL.com continues its offseason analysis with a look at the Super Bowl champs.

Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer takes stock of the Bengals' running back situation with the NFL combine on the horizon. Some names to keep an eye on, according to Reedy: Alabama’s Eddie Lacy, North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard, UCLA’s Johnathan Franklin and Clemson’s Andre Ellington.

Cleveland Browns

On the heels of the news that he will reassume his role as CEO of Pilot Flying J, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam reiterated Tuesday that he plans to remain involved in key decisions regarding the team. "I want to assure everybody I'm more excited today about having the opportunity to own the Cleveland Browns -- which is a very distinct and rare privilege -- as I've ever been," he said. "I still plan on being heavily involved in all key Browns decisions."

Phillip Morris of The Plain Dealer has the story of a Browns fan in Australia who has lost his battle with cancer.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Wide receiver Antonio Brown is already back at work, getting a head start on preparations for the 2013 season. “You have to do something to better yourself every day,” said Brown. “You have to take a step every day to be your best. If you want to be your best, you have to outwork your opponent. My opponent is not just someone I am competing against, but I am my biggest opponent. I know if I compete against myself every day I am working to be my best. That is something I always take pride in, working to better myself.”