The AFC North Mailbag, 2/15 Edition

Every week, I take readers' questions from Twitter and answer them in The AFC North Mailbag. Today's topics include the future at nose tackle for the Steelers, Rashard Mendenhall's injury, Bengals draft predictions, Randy Moss and more.

@FBALL_Andrea I'll spare the OL question. With Casey Hampton's age & ACL injury, should the Steelers look to move on in 2012 without him? — Scott Kacsmar (@CaptainComeback) February 15, 2012

The Steelers have a few options when it comes to Casey Hampton, but releasing him appears to be the most attractive option. General manager Kevin Colbert intimated that he could start the year on the PUP list, with a six to nine-month recovery time from his torn ACL likely not realistic for a player of Hampton's age and size.

If they keep him around, then they'll probably try to restructure his contract. Hampton is in the final year of a three-year contract and is owed nearly $5 million in base pay and ultimately counts against the cap to the tune of just over $8 million.

For a player who may not take the field until the 2012 season is nearly half over, the only way Hampton can stay on board is to rework his deal. However, releasing the 35-year-old is something the team is most likely to do.

The Steelers don't have depth at nose tackle, so look for them to take one early in the draft; no later than the third round is my guess. Ziggy Hood could also be shifted over to the position.

@FBALL_Andrea Given Rashard Mendenhall's injury, what is the best option for the #Steelers at running back? — Erik Frenz (@ErikFrenz) February 15, 2012

Easily the best option is Isaac Redman, who was effective in his role as a change-of-pace back in 2011.

Redman saw time in all 16 regular season games, rushing 110 times for 479 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged a respectable 4.4 yards per carry and displayed the kind of inherent toughness that is synonymous with a Pittsburgh back.

Luckily for the Steelers, they have adequate depth at the position and shouldn't need to look to free agency or the draft to bolster their ranks.

Behind Redman are John Clay and Jonathan Dwyer. 2011 seventh-round draft pick Baron Batch is likely to return to the team after tearing his ACL in training camp last year, and with Mendenhall's injury, they might try to extend a modest offer to impending free agent Mewelde Moore.

But, barring any additional injuries or camp surprises, it will be Redman who receives the majority of the carries in Mendenhall's absence, and should prove more than capable of making the most of the increased workload.

@FBALL_Andrea What direction will the Bengals go in the draft with their two first rounders? Both offense? Both defense? What do you think? — Tony Santorsa (@TonySantorsa) February 15, 2012

In my estimation, I see the Bengals choosing a cornerback with one of their first-round picks and a running back with another.

Foremost in the Bengals' draft needs is a running back. They aren't likely to keep Cedric Benson around, and they need someone more dynamic than Bernard Scott to take up the starting role.

I like Washington's Chris Polk for Cincinnati. He's got the high-level speed their running game lacked last year and has the potential to be a long-term impact player.

Cornerback is the team's other most glaring need. Though I think the Bengals will pursue a free-agent corner, I think they'll look to supplement their roster with a high-caliber rookie.

I think Oklahoma's Jamell Fleming would be a good fit, but there are a number of defensive backs that the Bengals could score at either pick 21 or 17.

@FBALL_Andrea What's the franchise tag situation looking like for the four AFC North teams? Ray Rice in Baltimore, but who else? — Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) February 15, 2012

I don't think the Baltimore Ravens will ultimately use the franchise tag on Ray Rice, instead preferring to sign him to a long-term deal. This might take awhile, perhaps into the summer, but I see the Ravens finding a way to get him under contract. It seems more likely that left guard Ben Grubbs gets the tag in Baltimore.

In Pittsburgh, it's looking less likely that wide receiver Mike Wallace will get franchised, considering it could run them as much as $13.7 million. The franchise tag is always an expensive tool, and it's one that the Steelers might not be able to afford to slap on anyone this year. I wouldn't be surprised if they choose not to use it at all.

The Cleveland Browns won't use the franchise tag on running back Peyton Hillis, either inking him to a new deal or letting him go. I think the Browns are most likely to franchise linebacker D'Qwell Jackson if they cannot get him a contract this year.

The Cincinnati Bengals are awash with cap space and have nine draft picks, so they might not franchise any players in the offseason. They do have an inordinate amount of impending free agents, however, so in the interests of expediency, they may use it.

@FBALL_Andrea What do you think about the prospects of Randy Moss going to the Ravens? — BrianSibila (@bfat65) February 15, 2012

Of any team in the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens would be a good fit for Moss, and I wouldn't be surprised if they're one of the three teams that have contacted his agent, Joel Segal.

The Ravens haven't had any issue bringing in veteran wide receivers in the past, from T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Anquan Boldin in 2010 to Lee Evans in 2011.

But the Ravens passing game is skewing younger, with Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss drafted last year and tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson both about to start their third seasons.

Moss, if as effective as we're used to seeing him, could be a huge weapon for the Ravens and a great way to get quarterback Joe Flacco to really air it out on a regular basis.

But Baltimore has a few cap issues that might prevent them from paying Moss what he's looking for, and he could ultimately serve as a bigger distraction than he is an asset should they bring him on.

Ultimately, if the Ravens have any interest, it will be cursory at best. I don't think Moss will be in the AFC North in 2012.

If you want to submit questions for next week's AFC North Mailbag, be sure to send me your questions via Twitter: Follow @FBALL_Andrea