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Biggest remaining team needs in the AFC from the Ravens to the Titans

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With free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft in the books, most AFC teams still have at least one need remaining on their roster. Luckily, there is a solid assortment of veterans available on the open market, and clubs can also pursue trades for players who may have fallen out of favor with their incumbent franchises. Let’s run through each AFC team, identify their most obvious need, and offer a potential solution.

Biggest remaining team needs in the AFC

We’ll try to make these possible additions realistic. Teams may have readily apparent need areas, but if they seem intent on allowing young players to fill those spots, for example, we won’t force a veteran signing.

At this point in the offseason, many clubs have filled the majority of their roster holes. That not’s to say they don’t have weaknesses. But if a team has locked-in starters — or enough candidates for a competition — at most positions, we’ll turn our focus to depth.

Baltimore Ravens: Wide receiver

Solution: Sign Julio Jones

The Ravens filled most of their needs through free agency and the draft, but wide receiver remains a glaring issue. 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman will ascend to Baltimore’s No. 1 role after the club traded Marquise Brown to the Cardinals. Behind Bateman, the Ravens have a cadre of young, unproven pass catchers in Devin Duvernay, James Proche, and Tylan Wallace.

A veteran receiver makes sense for the Ravens, and Jones would give them a contested-catch threat on the outside. Julio hasn’t been able to stay healthy in recent years, missing 14 games over the past two seasons. Still, Baltimore can afford to take on that risk, given that the 33-year-old shouldn’t command a significant salary.

Buffalo Bills: Safety depth

Solution: Trade for Johnathan Abram

The Bills are probably the most complete team in the NFL, so they don’t have many apparent needs. They have the league’s best safety tandem in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, but they could use more depth behind that duo. Damar Hamlin and Jaquan Johnson are Buffalo’s current safety backups. Neither has seen much playing time, largely because Hyde and Poyer have remained healthy.

If Buffalo wants to add another body to their defensive backfield, they could send a late-round pick to the Raiders in exchange for Abram. There’s no question Abram hasn’t been productive since Las Vegas took him in the first round of the 2019 draft, and they’ve already declined his fifth-year option for 2023. However, the Bills’ coaching staff can rehabilitate distressed assets, and Abram will only cost $2.1 million this season.

Cincinnati Bengals: Pass-rushing depth

Solution: Sign Trey Flowers

After refurbishing their offensive line in free agency and sprucing up their defense in the draft, the Bengals’ biggest need is on the defensive line. They’ve been searching for a third edge rusher to play behind Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. 2021 third-rounder Joseph Ossai is penciled into that role, but he has no NFL experience after tearing his meniscus in last year’s preseason.

Cincinnati could also use help at defensive tackle, where they re-signed B.J. Hill but lost Larry Ogunjobi. If the Bengals sign Flowers, he’d spent most of his time as a rotational edge defender, but he could also slide inside on obvious passing downs. Ryan Kerrigan, who met with Cincinnati in March 2021 before signing with the Eagles, is another free agent option who could be the Bengals’ EDGE3.

Cleveland Browns: Wide receiver

Solution: Sign Will Fuller

In an offseason where wide receiver prices went through the roof, the Browns wisely acquired Amari Cooper at a discount before the market went crazy. They also added Purdue’s David Bell — a candidate to start in the slot on Day 1 — in the third round. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz, and Jakeem Grant (primarily a returner) fill out the rest of the depth chart, so there’s room for another veteran in Cleveland.

Fuller has never been able to stay on the field, but he’s still only 28 years old. Although 2021 was a lost season, he posted 16.6 yards per reception and eight touchdowns as recently as 2020. Fuller’s relationship with Deshaun Watson probably doesn’t hold much weight for the Browns, given that Watson is staring at a lengthy suspension. Yet, Fuller should be able to provide a downfield weapon for whoever is under center in Cleveland.

Denver Broncos: Linebacker

Solution: Re-sign Alexander Johnson

Denver could also use a little assistance along the offensive and defensive lines, but re-signing Johnson to start at linebacker is the most obvious move for the Broncos. General manager George Paton brought back Josey Jewell and signed Alex Singleton, but Johnson would add another physical body to the team’s linebacker room.

Jewell is the better coverage defender, so he’d still be out there in 1LB subpackages. Johnson’s run-defending abilities shouldn’t be taken for granted, and he’d likely welcome a return to Denver after generating next to no interest in free agency.

Houston Texans: Tight end

Solution: Sign Jared Cook

The Texans have holes all over their roster. They could conceivably use reinforcements at nearly any position. But we’ll focus on tight end, where 2021 fifth-round choice Brevin Jordan is projected to start. Despite their noncompetitive status, Houston hasn’t been afraid to sign veterans. Just this offseason, they’ve added A.J. Cann, Jerry Hughes, and Mario Addison, all of whom are at least 30 years old.

If the Texans are looking for more leadership, Cook would fit the bill. He’s seen it all through 13 pro seasons, and Houston would become his seventh NFL team. And it’s not like Cook wasn’t productive last year. Even in his age-34 season, he managed a 48-564-4 line in the Chargers’ high-powered offense.

Indianapolis Colts: Left tackle

Solution: Sign Duane Brown

The Colts have tried to paper over their left tackle issue by signing Dennis Kelly and Matt Pryor and drafting Bernhard Raimann. Indy could probably get by with some combination of those options, especially given how talented the rest of their offensive line is.

Still, why not go after one of the best free agents remaining on the open market? Brown will be 37 when the 2022 season begins, but there’s no question he’s still a top-50 tackle in the NFL. If his 2021 level of play is any indication, Brown is nowhere near falling off a cliff. His addition would push Kelly and Pryor into reserve roles and allow Raimann to redshirt in his rookie season.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Defensive tackle

Solution: Sign Brandon Williams

After spending $80 million more than any other team in free agency, the Jaguars don’t have a ton of room for veteran additions. Sure, they could always use another offensive lineman, and safety help might make sense. But we landed on defensive tackle, where Williams could offer support for Folorunso Fatukasi, Da’Von Hamilton, and Roy Robertson-Harris.

Williams is 33, so Jacksonville may have to convince him to sign, given that they’re probably not ready to contend just yet. He could slide right in as the Jaguars’ starting nose tackle.



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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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