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Are the Baltimore Ravens set on the offensive line?

That remains to be seen. The other teams in the division improved their offensive lines in the draft. The Steelers got the top-rated guard (David DeCastro) in the first round, the Bengals added the best run-blocking guard (Kevin Zeitler) and the Browns grabbed the best right tackle prospect (Mitchell Schwartz). The Ravens bring back four starters from a line that got better as the season progressed, but there's been a significant downgrade at one spot.

At left guard, the Ravens are going from a Pro Bowl player in Ben Grubbs to a lineman who played tackle in college (either Jah Reid or Kelechi Osemele). By looking at Baltimore's moves, it doesn't seem like the Ravens are sold on Reid, a third-round pick in 2011, starting there. After failing to keep Grubbs (who signed with New Orleans in free agency), Baltimore tried to lure free agent Evan Mathis away from the Eagles and then used a second-round pick on Osemele. The Ravens have had only one rookie start a full season on the offensive line in the previous four seasons (Michael Oher in 2009).

There are other issues on the line beyond left guard. The Ravens need left tackle Bryant McKinnie to lose weight and cut his sacks allowed (he led the team with 8.5). They need right tackle Oher to reduce his penalties (four for false starts and five for holding). And they need Matt Birk, 36, to continue his streak of 96 straight games played. While the offseason focus will remain on the contract status of Joe Flacco and Ray Rice, the real storyline on offense entering the 2012 season is the state of Baltimore's line.

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FALLING

1. Secondary play in Chicago and Minnesota: Between the two of them, the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings have maybe one or two defensive backs who should be considered 2012 starters heading into the offseason. Bears cornerback Charles Tillman qualifies, and perhaps Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield will as well if he returns healthy from a fractured collarbone. Otherwise, the Bears and Vikings need a serious overhaul to their defensive backfields. Both teams tried season-long rotations at safety, neither of which led to any personnel conclusions, and cornerback play outside of Tillman has been atrocious for both teams. It will probably be a multiyear process for these franchises to rebuild these positions. With Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler in this division, they better hurry.

2. Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings quarterback: We all remember ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer's harsh criticism of Ponder shortly after the draft. In brief, Dilfer said Ponder looks the part of an NFL quarterback but quickly falls from his comfort zone and loses accuracy under pressure. Dilfer softened some of that analysis after Ponder's relatively strong debut, but we should note that Ponder has been one of the NFL's worst quarterbacks against extra pass-rushers this season. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he is completing about 39 percent of his passes when opponents send five or more pass-rushers. The only player with less success against the blitz? Denver Broncos quarterback/running back Tim Tebow. It's not necessarily a warning sign if a rookie doesn't perform well under pressure, but to this point Ponder's performance hasn't veered much from Dilfer's original analysis.

3. Marion Barber, Bears running back: Barber's mental errors in a loss earlier this month to the Broncos, and his inability to keep his troublesome calf healthy, would seem to spell the end of his short tenure with the Bears. Kahlil Bell's hard-charging 123-yard performance Sunday night offers the Bears a much younger option for the role of backing up starter Matt Forte. It was a nice run, as they say.

RISING

1. Home-field advantage: The Packers have a quirky history when it comes to playing at home in the playoffs. In the big picture, the state of Wisconsin has provided one of the best home-field advantages in professional sports. The Packers are 15-3 all-time at home in the playoffs, including games played in Milwaukee. But those three losses have come in their past five playoff games at home: In 2003 to the Atlanta Falcons, in 2004 to the Vikings and 2007 to the New York Giants. One of the two victories, meanwhile, came in overtime to the Seattle Seahawks. Recently, at least, opponents haven't been intimidated by playing at Lambeau Field.

2. Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions tight end: A significant debate erupted in 2009 when the Lions used the No. 20 overall pick to draft Pettigrew, passing up offensive lineman Michael Oher and receiver Percy Harvin, among others. But the Lions insisted that a multi-faceted tight end was critical to their offense, and they have followed through by utilizing Pettigrew as much as any team in the NFL. The Lions have used him as an extension of their running game, and although he is averaging a modest 8.7 yards per reception, his total of 76 catches ranks third among tight ends. By all accounts, Pettigrew is an excellent blocker as well. The Lions have gotten by this far with Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus as their tackles, minimizing the need for Oher. And while Harvin would have been a nice addition, the Lions have found value by signing veteran Nate Burleson and using a second-round pick to draft Titus Young.

3. T.J. Lang, Green Bay Packers offensive lineman: When the season began, how many people would have chosen Lang as the Packers' most valuable offensive lineman? Not me. Lang had been an inconsistent starter and player who couldn't find a position and was behind a rookie on the depth chart when the season began. But Lang outplayed first-round pick Derek Sherrod in camp to win the left guard job and has provided a seamless transition from departed starter Daryn Colledge. And when the Packers needed someone to jump over to right tackle after injuries to Bryan Bulaga and Sherrod, Lang successfully made the move. On Sunday night, at least, he held his own against Bears pass-rushers Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije. Center Scott Wells might be the Packers' best offensive lineman this season, but not many left guards could jump out to right tackle as well as Lang appeared to do Sunday night.

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FALLING

1. Browns' offense: Cleveland has produced one touchdown and three 50-plus-yard field goals over the past two games. That's 13 points scored despite possessing the ball for 70 minutes. Injuries have hit every position on offense this season and knocked out the Browns' top two running backs the past couple of weeks. It's been equally painful to watch the Browns' offense getting held to 17 points or fewer in six of seven games this season.

2. Ravens' penalties: The Ravens not only have a way about playing down to the competition but they have kept one-win teams in games with penalties. Baltimore has been flagged 21 times for 184 yards in less-than-focused efforts against the Jaguars and Cardinals. Officials seem to be keeping a close eye on the Ravens, penalizing them twice for taunting against Arizona. Right tackle Michael Oher has accounted for 10 percent of the penalties this season (two for false starts and three f0r holding).

3. Injuries to Steelers linebackers: James Harrison has missed the past three games with an eye injury, James Farrior missed last Sunday's game with a calf injury and LaMarr Woodley missed a good portion of Sunday's game with a hamstring injury. The only starting linebacker who is healthy is Lawrence Timmons and he's playing out of position because of the injuries. There's a chance that the NFL's second-ranked defense could be missing three starting linebackers against Baltimore on Sunday night.

RISING

1. Bengals' fourth-quarter defense: The Cincinnati defense has become the Mariano Rivera of the NFL. The Bengals have closed out the past three wins by scoring touchdowns in the final 2 1/2 minutes of games. The latest came Sunday when Reggie Nelson returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown with 36 seconds remaining. It's the first time the Bengals' defense has reached the end zone in three straight games since October 1983.

2. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger: He's shrugged off a slow start to the season like it was another pass-rusher to become one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL. During the Steelers' four-game winning streak, Roethlisberger leads the NFL with 11 touchdown passes (while throwing just two interceptions) and ranks among the league leaders in passing yards (third with 1,154) and completion rate (sixth at 67.1), according to ESPN Stats & Information. Now, he gets ready to go against the Ravens and the top-ranked defense in the NFL.

3. Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin: It's taken longer than expected for Boldin to develop a rapport with Joe Flacco. Maybe it took removing Derrick Mason from the team for Flacco to start leaning on Boldin. Whatever the reason, Boldin has carried the Ravens at times, catching 19 passes and averaging 105.6 yards over the past three weeks. In the Ravens' comeback against Arizona, he delivered the big play in each of Baltimore's four scoring drives that led to 24 unanswered points.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 3:

Larry Fitzgerald road show resumes. The Arizona Cardinals' Pro Bowl receiver caught a combined 23 passes for 251 yards in road games against Seattle over the 2008 and 2009 seasons. His production at the former Qwest Field dropped to three catches and 30 yards without a viable quarterback last season, but Kevin Kolb's addition puts Fitzgerald in position to pick up where he left off two years ago. The key variable this time is whether the Seahawks' improved size in the secondary can help them better combat Fitzgerald. Cornerback Brandon Browner, all 6-foot-4 of him, needs to fare better against Fitzgerald than he did against Pittsburgh's speedier Mike Wallace.

Frank Gore search party targeting Ohio. If tight end Vernon Davis was not happy with his production in the San Francisco 49ers' first two games, imagine what running back Frank Gore must be thinking. Gore hasn't disappeared from the 49ers' offense, but he's not getting the usual results. Gore has now gone five consecutive games without reaching 100 yards rushing, tying his longest streak since 2007. He has failed to exceed 2.68 yards per carry in consecutive games for the first time. He has failed to exceed that average three times in his past four games, another career first. The Bengals are allowing 3.5 yards per carry.

Sam Bradford's red zone adventure. The Denver Broncos scored touchdowns on 10 of their final 11 red zone possessions under Josh McDaniels last season. The Rams have one TD in five red zone trips with McDaniels as their offensive coordinator in 2011, good for a No. 31 ranking in red zone TD percentage. Quarterback Sam Bradford is tied with McDaniels' former quarterback in Denver, Kyle Orton, for the most goal-to-go pass attempts without a completion this season. Both have four, one more than the 49ers' Alex Smith. The Rams' Week 3 opponent, Baltimore, allowed touchdowns twice in two red zone opportunities against Tennessee last week. Getting running back Steven Jackson back would help keep defenses a little more honest around the goal line, most likely.

2009 NFL draft class blues. Aaron Curry's demotion from the Seahawks' starting lineup brought renewed scrutiny upon what is shaping up as a mostly forgettable draft class. Jason Smith (Rams), Michael Crabtree (49ers) and Beanie Wells (Cardinals) rounded out a so-far-disappointing first-round group for the NFC West. The 49ers' opponent this week, Cincinnati, fared no better by taking tackle Andre Smith with the sixth overall choice. The Rams' opponent, Baltimore, found a starting tackle in Michael Oher, but overall, this will be an underwhelming 2009 first-round class on display in NFC West games.

Seeking that Kendricks connection. Bradford's rapport with rookie tight end Lance Kendricks produced immediate positive results for the Rams through training camp and the preseason. Kendricks caught an 18-yard pass in the opener and a 26-yarder in Week 2, but he hasn't emerged as the consistent go-to target the Rams were envisioning. Bradford has targeted Kendricks only twice on third down, compared to six times for Greg Salas, four for Brandon Gibson and three for Danario Alexander. Kendricks hasn't helped his cause, dropping what could have been a touchdown grab against Philadelphia. But he's too good to be a one-catch-per-game player, particularly with Danny Amendola sidelined by injury. The Ravens have allowed six receptions for 80 yards to tight ends through two games.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 2:

A focus on Chris Johnson: The Titans are semi-desperate to get their star running back going. But Mike Munchak has emphasized this week that they can’t force it. It’s hard to be patient waiting for the big play, but they can’t call 10 rush plays in a row for him. The Titans need to show some creativity on offense, and maybe turn themselves inside-out with some passes to set up the run. Matt Hasselbeck said they need to be in third-and-manageable to get off to a better start and to get the sort of possession they need to find an offensive flow. One good omen for Johnson: ESPN Stats & Info says he’s been very effective against 3-4 defenses, averaging about six yards per carry running outside against them.

Can the Colts rush? The Browns can neutralize Indianapolis’ pass rush by jumping ahead and riding Peyton Hillis. But when Colt McCoy is looking to throw, the matchups on Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will be compelling. Freeney is a speed guy, and if Joe Thomas has any weakness, it might come against a guy like that. (See Pete Prisco on the matchup here.) Tony Pashos is out, so Mathis will go against some sort of rotation of backups Oniel Cousins and Artis Hicks. Mathis came out of the opener with a neck issue, but he should have a big advantage here.

Big plays in Jaguars-Jets: The Jaguars are not necessarily a big-play team in the passing game, and if they aren’t going to find big plays they have to be sure not to give them up, either. Stats & Info says Plaxico Burress was the only Jets receiver to be targeted more than twice on throws of 15 yards or more in the air in Week 1. Last season, the Jaguars allowed the most completions and yards per attempt on throws of at least 15 yards. The offensive line will have to sort through constant blitzes to allow Luke McCown to find people, and we could see Cecil Shorts get some big opportunities along with Mike Thomas.

Reggie Bush and the run: The Texans are 5-0 against the Dolphins but the average margin of victory has been just three points. Houston may be more ready to face Miami than usual after spending a lot of camp time working against its own 3-4 defense. Reggie Bush was on the field more than any starting running back in the league, and Miami will try to spread the Texans out and create space for Bush to make plays. A big, early lead was the Texans’ best run defense in the win against the Colts. But they were run on in the preseason, and we’ll see Sunday if things have tightened up or if there is still a run defense concern.

Replenished D-line: The Titans’ revamped defense was a disappointment in the Week 1 loss at Jacksonville. Why might it be better this week? Because two guys who didn’t play against the Jaguars -- Jason Jones and Derrick Morgan -- will be in the mix. They should be the team’s top defensive ends. Baltimore’s tackles, the resurrected Bryant McKinnie and Michael Oher, started strong against the Steelers. Can the Titans young rushers find some cracks?

The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns will continue their preseason games Friday night. Baltimore will host the Kansas City Chiefs, while Cleveland hosts the Detroit Lions.

Here are a pair of storylines for each AFC North team:

Ravens

• Will the Ravens improve the offense line? Baltimore allowed six sacks last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. Three were against starting tackles Michael Oher and Oniel Cousins. The Ravens moved Cousins to right guard and will start rookie Jah Reid at right tackle against Kansas City. Reid is a raw prospect trying to learn on the fly. We will find out where he stands in his first NFL start.
• This game marks the Ravens debut of wide receiver Lee Evans. The veteran deep threat was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Evans will be the starter opposite Anquan Boldin. Evans is the speedy receiver Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has lacked the past several years. The pair will look to build chemistry in this game.

Browns

• Can Cleveland second-year quarterback Colt McCoy continue his momentum? McCoy had a near-perfect preseason debut last week against the Green Bay Packers. He was 9-of-10 for 135 yards and a touchdown. McCoy also led the offense to two touchdown drives. Detroit should offer a stern test. The Lions' defense looked stout in last week’s 34-3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Another fun matchup to watch will be Browns corner Joe Haden against Lions Pro Bowl receiver Calvin Johnson. Both are two of the best, young players at their respective positions. Johnson beat Bengals cornerback Leon Hall for a touchdown last week. Haden will try to prevent "Megatron" from having a big first half tonight.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens rookie right tackle Jah Reid is getting reps with the first team, just days after Baltimore allowed six sacks in its preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

That is a lot of pressure for a third-round pick. But the Ravens are searching for answers on their offensive line. They have less than a month to figure it out before their regular-season opener against the reigning AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers, who led the NFL in sacks in 2010.

"He's in the mix, whether he wants to be or not -- period," Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said of Reid. "In my mind he's either going to be playing or one or two plays from playing. So my mind is anything but he's playing until he's inactive. We're trying to get that point across to a lot of these guys. There is no four-year scholarships [for rookies]."

Starting offensive tackles Oniel Cousins and Michael Oher both had down moments against Philadelphia. Cousins particularly struggled and is now getting a look at right guard. Starting guard Marshal Yanda, who missed practice Monday with a back injury, also is a possibility at right tackle. But taking Yanda from guard would weaken that spot.

Look for a lot of experimenting in Baltimore's second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"We're going to try to work out the best five in some combination," Cameron said. "It may not be ideal, but it's probably our best alternative."

The Baltimore Ravens began their 2011 campaign Thursday night with a 13-6 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Here are several observations:

The Good

• Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco led the first-team offense to a field goal on the opening drive. Flacco finished 3-of-6 passing for 60 yards against Philadelphia's all-star secondary of Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Flacco's best throw of the night was to tight end Dennis Pitta for 27 yards.
• Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger played well. The former second-round pick recorded five tackles, one sack and another tackle for a loss. Kruger tried to bulk up last year to play defensive end but never looked comfortable. He is back to his natural playing weight around 265 pounds. The Ravens hope Kruger could be another pass-rushing threat to join linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs.
• Safety Bernard Pollard was active. He recorded two tackles, an interception and two pass defenses. Pollard recently signed as a free agent and is making an early impression. He is battling Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura for the strong safety job opposite Ed Reed.

The Bad

• Baltimore's pass defense didn't look good without first-round pick Jimmy Smith (groin), who was very limited and played a few plays. Philadelphia's explosive offense easily marched down the field against Baltimore's first-team defense. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick picked the Ravens' secondary apart. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive. Corners Lardarius Webb and Chris Carr remained in the game against the Eagles' second team, and Philadelphia's backups still had decent success through the air.
• Former first-round pick Michael Oher continues to struggle at left tackle. He gave up two sacks -- one to Trent Cole and the other to Darryl Tapp. The Ravens have to hope Oher just had an off night. Oher had a great rookie season at right tackle but has been inconsistent on the left side. His development is something to keep an eye on in the preseason.
• It was a mixed bag from rookie quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The sixth-round pick completed 19 of 28 passes but also made a pair of rookie mistakes and threw two interceptions. Taylor's first pick to Eagles safety (and Temple alum) Jaiquawn Jarrett sailed well above the receiver in the first half. Taylor threw another pick to Jarrad Page in the second half. The good news is Taylor showed plenty of flashes and athleticism. But he has to eliminate turnovers to gain full confidence from the coaching staff in his bid to back up Flacco.

» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: history in that spot.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals' top pick is No. 4 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: OT Trent Williams, (Redskins)

2009: LB Aaron Curry (Seahawks)

2008: RB Darren McFadden (Raiders)

2007: DE Gaines Adams (Buccaneers)

2006: OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets)

2005: RB Cedric Benson (Bears)

2004: QB Philip Rivers (Chargers)

Analysis: Draft history shows the Bengals are in a good spot at No. 4. Most players on this list have turned out to be productive pros or are getting playing time right away while trying to make a name for themselves. The last franchise quarterback taken in this spot was Rivers, who was drafted by the Giants and traded to the Chargers on draft day in 2004. That was a great pick in a strong quarterback class that included the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and the Giants' Eli Manning. Is that caliber of quarterback available this year for the Bengals, whose starter, Carson Palmer, has threatened to retire? Prospects such as Auburn's Cam Newton and Missouri's Blaine Gabbert would be much riskier picks.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns' top pick is No. 6 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: OT Russell Okung (Seahawks)

2009: OT Andre Smith (Bengals)

2008: LB Vernon Gholston (Jets)

2007: S LaRon Landry (Redskins)

2006: TE Vernon Davis (49ers)

2005: CB Adam Jones (Titans)

2004: TE Kellen Winslow Jr. (Browns)

Analysis: Recent history shows the No. 6 overall pick can be hit or miss. Smith, Gholston and Jones are all certified busts as big-money draft picks. It's too early to tell with Okung, while Landry, Davis and Winslow have all had multiple productive seasons in the NFL. The Browns went 5-11 for the second consecutive year after having a similar pick in 2010. In the first year under president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert, Cleveland took cornerback Joe Haden at No. 7 overall, and he turned out to be a solid selection. The Browns need to add another impact player from the top of this draft to close the gap with the Ravens and Steelers.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens' top pick is No. 26 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: DT Dan Williams (Cardinals)

2009: LB Clay Matthews Jr. (Packers)

2008: OT Duane Brown (Texans)

2007: LB Anthony Spencer (Cowboys)

2006: DT John McCargo (Bills)

2005: C Chris Spencer (Seahawks)

2004: RB Chris Perry (Bengals)

Analysis: Picking late in the first round is one of the toughest things to do for any franchise, but the Ravens thrive on it. General manager Ozzie Newsome is one of the best at finding late-round gems. Current Ravens such as Michael Oher, Ben Grubbs, Ed Reed, Todd Heap and Ray Lewis were all taken with picks No. 23 and higher. Matthews is the most recent gem at No. 26. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers two years ago and quickly became one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL. But Baltimore also has to be careful. Most of this recent group has failed to live up to expectations.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers' top pick is No. 31 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: DE Jerry Hughes (Colts)

2009: RB Beanie Wells (Cardinals)

2008: S Kenny Phillips (Giants)

2007: TE Greg Olsen (Bears)

2006: CB Kelly Jennings (Seahawks)

2005: DT Mike Patterson (Eagles)

2004: WR Rashaun Woods (49ers)

Analysis: The Steelers, who have six championships, are in the unfamiliar position of being Super Bowl losers. They will try to use the No. 31 overall pick to fill one of the team's needs. These players are not expected to be superstars. But they are first-round picks and the goal is to become productive starters. Pittsburgh is similar to Baltimore with its ability to find great players late in rounds. Since 2005, Pittsburgh has drafted Rashard Mendenhall, Heath Miller, Ziggy Hood and Santonio Holmes with picks No. 23 and higher. The Steelers will aim to continue their late-round success in this draft.

I've been at odds with this question all offseason: Should the Cleveland Browns consider a top wide receiver or defensive lineman with the No. 6 overall draft pick?

After weeks of debating with myself, I've finally decided the defensive line prospects are so good in this draft that it would be smarter for the Browns to snag one in the first round. It doesn't matter if it's the best defensive end or defensive tackle because Cleveland needs both.

The Browns are switching to a 4-3 defense next season under first-year head coach Pat Shurmur and new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron, and they will get run over in this physical division if they don't add monsters up front. Cleveland's pass rush also is important, and the team doesn't have anyone in the front seven whose specialty is getting to the quarterback.

Like most people, I agree that Georgia receiver A.J. Green is a tremendous prospect. But he's not better than Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald. The aforementioned players are elite NFL receivers and they all played for losing teams in 2010. My point is the receiver position is not very important in the NFL hierarchy. You need to be good in other areas first, and that's why I'm usually steadfast in not drafting a receiver in the top 10.

Meanwhile, the defensive line is very important. Games are won and lost in the trenches, and if you noticed, teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers take offensive and defensive linemen nearly every year: Haloti Ngata, Michael Oher, Terrell Suggs, Maurkice Pouncey and Ziggy Hood just to name a few. These are non-sexy draft picks that turn out to be huge when it's time to play football.

Cleveland needs to start learning from the dominant teams in its division. President Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert drafted a lot of skill players last year (Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Colt McCoy, Montario Hardesty), and it's time to add some meat to the NFL's 27th-ranked run defense. The Ravens (Ray Rice), Steelers (Rashard Mendenhall) and Cincinnati Bengals (Cedric Benson) all had 1,000-yard rushers in 2010.

The Browns still have to address their passing game. Although chances decrease after the first round, that doesn't mean the Browns cannot find good receivers. Studs such as Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace, Miami's Brandon Marshall and New Orleans’ Marques Colston were all receivers drafted in the third round or lower. The Browns just need to do their homework.

» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: biggest team needs.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore's offensive line gradually fell apart as the 2010 season progressed, and it affected both the running and passing game. That is why the Ravens' biggest need entering next month's draft is offensive tackle. The Ravens tried Marshal Yanda, Tony Moll and Oniel Cousins at right tackle and never found the right combination to pair with Michael Oher. Even Oher struggled at times on the left side. If the Ravens are fortunate enough to find a true left tackle in the draft with the No. 26 pick, they could put Oher back at right tackle, where he thrived as a rookie.

Pass rush is a concern but not nearly as pressing. Some mock drafts also have the Ravens taking a cornerback. Josh Wilson and Chris Carr are both free agents. But if one or both were re-signed, I think the Ravens would feel more comfortable with their secondary than people think. Starter Domonique Foxworth is returning from a knee injury, and Lardarius Webb still has room for growth.

Cincinnati Bengals

When you're picking so high in the draft, you have a variety of needs. The Bengals own the No. 4 overall pick -- the highest in the AFC North -- and could go several ways.

Currently, most of the attention has been put on Cincinnati's quarterback position after Carson Palmer's threat to retire. The Bengals say they're taking this situation seriously, and speculation has increased that they might be interested in Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, who reportedly will hold a private workout for Cincinnati.

But unless the Bengals are 100 percent certain they will trade Palmer or he will retire, they may want to address other needs in the first round, like the defensive line. Cincinnati needs more help with its pass rush up front. The Bengals can always come back and draft "Palmer insurance" in the second round. Prospects include Arkansas' Ryan Mallett, Florida State's Christian Ponder or TCU's Andy Dalton.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns' two biggest needs are wide receiver and defensive line, and they could really be 1A and 1B. Cleveland could have a chance to improve both positions with the No. 6 overall pick.

Cleveland's passing game needs help. Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy had no one to throw the ball to last season. That really showed in the final two games, when the stiff defenses of the Ravens and Steelers put a hurting on McCoy. A legitimate No. 1 threat like A.J. Green could be just what they need in rookie head coach Pat Shurmur's new West Coast offense.

Defensively, Cleveland is very thin on the defensive line. There are very good prospects this year at defensive end and defensive tackle in the top 10, and the Browns could have their choice of several. Cleveland is switching to a 4-3 defense, where the linemen in the trenches are very important. If the Browns don't patch up their defensive line, they could get run over this season in this physical division.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh has very few holes to fill, and its needs are clear-cut. The team could use an upgrade and depth at cornerback and the offensive line.

Although not by much, the need at cornerback is probably more pressing, especially if the Steelers can't re-sign No. 1 cornerback Ike Taylor. The lack of depth in Pittsburgh's secondary was exposed in Super Bowl XLV, as the Green Bay Packers used three- and four-receiver sets to pick apart Dick LeBeau's defense. Opponents will continue to follow that blueprint until Pittsburgh finds a counter, and it starts with getting better cornerbacks.

The offensive line has been an issue for years. Pittsburgh could use help at either guard or tackle. The Steelers hit big last year in the first round with Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey. Another blue-chip lineman could go a long way toward helping get the Steelers back in title contention.

The offseason is a time to reflect and evaluate. The NFL remains a constant proving ground. These seven AFC North players -- who face questions ranging from consistency to becoming a franchise quarterback -- have the most to prove this upcoming season:

No. 7: Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

2010 stats: 3,622 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 93.6 passer rating

Proving point: Flacco is a unique case, because he doesn't have much to prove in the regular season. The third-year quarterback has improved every year and won an average of 10.7 games per season in Baltimore. But Flacco's proving ground starts in the playoffs, and that is the next step in his maturation process. Fans in Baltimore expected better postseason play right away from Flacco and now are voicing their displeasure. Despite his putting up career highs in yards, touchdowns and passer rating last season, Baltimore's second-round loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers still stings for a Ravens team many expected to get to the Super Bowl. Flacco has a 4-3 postseason record, which isn't bad. But he's only played great football in one of his seven career playoff games. Is Flacco going through the normal growing pains of a young quarterback? Or is he simply not clutch? Next season will go a long way toward answering that question.

No. 6: Ziggy Hood, DE, Steelers

2010 stats: 20 tackles, three sacks

Proving point: Hood took advantage of a luxury not many first-round picks have in the NFL. He was a backup for about a year and a half and was allowed to learn in Pittsburgh before being forced into the starting lineup. Hood became a starter after Pittsburgh veteran defensive end Aaron Smith was lost for the season with a triceps injury. The 2009 first-round pick stepped in admirably, and the Steelers finished with the NFL's No. 2 defense and top-rated run defense. Can Hood be a full-time starter? With Smith returning, it will be interesting to see how the Steelers handle this. Smith, 34, is the prototypical 3-4 defensive end and is still a good player when healthy. But Hood also is a budding talent who looks ready to step up.

No. 5: Michael Oher, LT, Ravens

2010 stats: 16 starts

Proving point: Is Oher a left tackle or right tackle? After two seasons, the Ravens are still trying to figure that out. Oher followed up a stellar rookie campaign on the right side with a so-so 2010 season at left tackle. Baltimore had contract and health issues last offseason with Jared Gaither and decided to make the switch, which is often challenging. Oher had issues protecting Flacco's blind side (no pun intended) at times and suffered too many pre-snap penalties. But Oher remains Baltimore's best offensive lineman. So there is potential to improve on the left side in his third year. Chances are, Oher will get another shot to prove that in 2011 if the Ravens cannot find a better option via the draft or free agency.

No. 4: Jerome Simpson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

2010 stats: 20 receptions, 277 yards, three touchdowns

Proving point: After three mostly uneventful seasons, Simpson ended the final two weeks with a bang by posting back-to-back 100-yard games and three total touchdowns. Was the late surge a fluke or a sign that Simpson has finally turned the corner? Injuries to veterans Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens gave Simpson an opportunity to play. Now the Bengals have to figure out if Simpson is worthy of a larger role -- perhaps as a starter -- in 2011. Outsiders have their doubts. Most mock drafts have Cincinnati taking Georgia receiver A.J. Green with the No. 4 overall pick. If the Bengals take Green, that would show a lack of confidence in Simpson and their current group of receivers. Ochocinco also could become trade bait this offseason.

No. 3: Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns

2010 stats: 1,177 rushing yards, 61 receptions, 13 total touchdowns

Proving point: Is Hillis a one-year wonder? Following a breakout 2010 season, that is the question Browns fans want answered. Hillis exploded on the scene by leading the Browns in rushing and receiving last year. He was by far the team's MVP. But Hillis needs another great season for the Browns to have a chance in the AFC North. His numbers dipped toward the end of the season, as teams keyed on Hillis and he suffered through some nagging injuries. Expect defenses to be more aware of Hillis from the start next season. It will be interesting to see whether Hillis gets the same number of opportunities. Browns rookie head coach Pat Shurmur is changing to a West Coast offense. So Cleveland is expected to pass the ball a lot more than it did under former coach Eric Mangini. Hillis has good hands and could fit in the system. He's always been productive when given the opportunity, and posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the first time would be a solid achievement for Hillis.

No. 2: Andre Smith, RT, Bengals

2010 stats: Four starts

Proving point: After two years, many have already written Smith off as a draft bust. Cincinnati took Smith No. 6 overall, despite many red flags and have gotten little out of its investment thus far. The Bengals had high hopes for Smith in his second season but injuries and inconsistent play led to just four starts. Now Cincinnati is considering moving Smith to guard to see if his play improves. The Bengals also have to decide on Smith's contract later this offseason. Cincinnati has to decide whether to keep his contract at four years or pay him for two additional years, which included a $4.75 million option bonus. Based on the first two seasons, it would be surprising if the Bengals paid Smith the additional money.

No. 1: Colt McCoy, QB, Browns

2010 stats: 1,576 yards, six touchdowns, nine interceptions, 74.5 passer rating

Proving point: There is no player in the AFC North with more to prove next season than McCoy, who received a surprising amount of playing time as a rookie. Cleveland intended for McCoy to learn from the sidelines last season. But injuries to veterans Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace led to early playing time. McCoy then performed better than expected and secured the job after eight starts. The quarterback of the future is now the quarterback of the present. The Browns' front office and coaching staff are 100 percent behind McCoy as he tries to become Cleveland's first legitimate franchise quarterback since Bernie Kosar. There is a long list of failures at the position over the past dozen years. If the Browns have any chance of turning the franchise around and competing in the AFC North, McCoy has to be the answer.

PITTSBURGH -- Regardless of what team you root for, I encourage Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers fans to savor every moment of Saturday's divisional playoff game. This might be the last time you see important veterans from both teams compete in this rivalry with so much at stake.

Accomplished players such as Ray Lewis, Hines Ward, Ed Reed, James Farrior, Derrick Mason, Casey Hampton, Kelly Gregg and Brett Keisel will not play forever. Ward, 34, said this week that he only has "one or two years" left of football. The other aforementioned veterans, all 32 or older, are probably not far behind.

There are eight current Pro Bowlers in this game, several future Hall of Famers and a few more who will go down as some of the best players of this era. And today they will all compete with everything on the line.

Games like this don't happen often, AFC North fans. Who knows? We might not see this again for another two ... five ... or 10 years.

Rest assured, the Ravens-Steelers rivalry will go on and remain strong. Several seasons from now we'll be talking about Haloti Ngata versus Maurkice Pouncey, LaMarr Woodley versus Michael Oher, and Mike Wallace, Joe Flacco, Lawrence Timmons, Ray Rice and Rashard Mendenhall. The next generation of Steelers and Ravens will do a great job of carrying the mantle.

But battle-tested vets like Lewis, Ward, Reed, Farrior, Mason, Hampton, etc. ... will always be remembered as part of that first generation who started the Steelers-Ravens rivalry and made it what it is today. Most will be back for the 2011 regular season, but there's no guarantee any will hang around long enough to meet again in the playoffs.

So enjoy today's events, Ravens and Steelers fans. Win or lose, do not take this game for granted.

» NFC Wrap-ups: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Arrow indicates direction team is trending.

Final Power Ranking: No. 4
Preseason Power Ranking: No. 6

Biggest surprise: Kicker Billy Cundiff entered training camp battling for his job after the Ravens signed Shayne Graham. But after a competitive battle, Baltimore chose Cundiff, who had a career year and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Cundiff was solid on field goals, making 26 of 29. But he really excelled on kickoffs, where he tied an NFL record with 40 touchbacks. Cundiff's performance on kickoffs essentially became Baltimore's 12th man on defense.

Biggest disappointment: Last year Baltimore had one of the best offensive tackle combinations in the NFL in Jared Gaither and Michael Oher. But that tandem was split up this season -- Gaither never saw the field. Gaither had a poor season that probably will be his last with the Ravens. He was unhappy with his contract, then showed up well under his playing weight, which upset the organization. Then Gaither never got on track and injured his back, which eventually landed him on injured reserve. Baltimore's pass protection has been inconsistent this year -- the team has had trouble replacing Gaither at right tackle.

Biggest need: The Ravens have one of the most stacked rosters in the NFL. So there are not a lot of glaring needs. Depth on the offense line could be a place to start. Gaither is not expected to return to Baltimore, so right tackle could be a top priority in the offseason. Center Matt Birk, 34, also is getting long in the tooth and it's unknown how much longer he wants to play. Another pass-rushing linebacker to help Pro Bowler Terrell Suggs (11 sacks) would be nice. But that's more of a luxury than a major hole in Baltimore's defense.

Team MVP: This race is very close, because there are probably three or four viable candidates for team MVP. But this year we give the slight nod to quarterback Joe Flacco, who made strides in his third year and threw for 3,622 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Suggs, safety Ed Reed and defensive lineman Haloti Ngata also received strong consideration.

Free-agent watch: First and foremost, the Ravens need to take care of Ngata's contract quickly this offseason and make sure he does not get away. Baltimore is expected to make Ngata, a two-time Pro Bowler, one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive linemen, and he will be worth every penny. Fullback Le'Ron McClain is another important free agent, and the Ravens also have to decide on re-signing players such as Josh Wilson, Marshal Yanda and T.J. Houshmandzadeh for 2011.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Roethlisberger suffered a sprained foot against the Buffalo Bills. The injury also was reported this week as a broken bone in his foot, but the team has disputed it.

Roethlisberger, who missed the first game against Baltimore because of suspension, said he fully expects to play against the Ravens. Other players who are listed as questionable include Baltimore left tackle Michael Oher (knee), safety Dawan Landry (concussion) and fullback Le'Ron McClain (ankle). Both Oher and Landry expect to play, but McClain's status is more uncertain.