Ask Andrea: The AFC North Mailbag

This week's Ask Andrea AFC North Mailbag isn't just about the draft. Yes, there are two questions about it—one for the Baltimore Ravens and one for the Cincinnati Bengals—but readers also want to know about teams that could regress this season and the ever-important fate of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace.

So let's get started. Remember, the Mailbag runs every Friday, so send in those questions via Twitter. The "Follow" button is at the bottom of the page; give it a click so you won't miss the next call for submissions.

We're getting closer to having this question being definitively answered, but I can say with almost absolute certainty that Mike Wallace isn't going anywhere.

Or, to be more clear, Wallace will remain in Pittsburgh for 2012. The restricted free agent hasn't drummed up as much interest as the Steelers first feared, with his first-round tender and reported $120 million asking price enough to scare away interested teams.

Even a receiver as talented as Wallace, who is just heading into his prime, isn't enough to tempt teams out of that much cash and a first-round pick.

Instead, Wallace will earn $2.74 million this year on the RFA tender (unless the Steelers somehow manage to get a contract worked out) and will be an unrestricted free agent next season if they don't figure out a new deal by then.

So it's at least one more season of Wallace for the Steelers.

Interesting you don't include the Cleveland Browns in there, but it also makes sense—they only can go up from where they were last season.

For the three other teams—who all made the playoffs in 2011—I don't see all that much regression. There are major question marks for each that could serve to produce a dip in wins, however.

The Baltimore Ravens have hemorrhaged free agents this year, and while none save for linebacker Jarret Johnson and guard Ben Grubbs have dealt them a significant blow when it comes to starters, it has harmed both their depth (primarily on defense) and their special teams.

Both areas will need to be addressed in the draft, as well as finding replacements for Johnson and Grubbs. At the same time, the Ravens will have to adapt somewhat to losing defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano and replacing him with Dean Pees—but the Ravens defense also somewhat runs itself, so it's less of a problem.

Despite his claims of greatness, quarterback Joe Flacco will have to have an improved season, but greater familiarity with Torrey Smith and his two tight ends should help him as well as the draft addition of another target.

Ultimately, the Ravens seem to be well-equipped to handle change, and they're still favored to win the division.

In Pittsburgh, the Steelers have a lot of replacing to do as well, but they should manage to do so in the draft. The offensive line is a perennial issue, one they'll again have to address, and they need to make additions at linebacker as well.

But otherwise, they're set. Not having running back Rashard Mendenhall shouldn't hurt them too much, considering the other backs on the roster, and it looks like Todd Haley could work out as the new offensive coordinator.

The Cincinnati Bengals are at risk of a drop off simply because no one knew they'd do so well last season with a rookie quarterback and rookie wide receiver at the helm of the offense. But they're moving to a three-headed running back committee that belies extra commitment to the run and will add another receiving target for Andy Dalton.

The main thing the Bengals need to do is build a stronger pass rush and bolster the offensive line—two things they can do in the draft. They also have cap room left to pick up any players that teams ditch after the draft.

Every winning team is subject to a falling off the following year. But I think that the Ravens and Steelers—who have been strong for seasons now—will continue on the winning path and the Bengals will remain one of the impressive improved squads in the league as well. I say all three will end the season above .500.

Wisconsin center Peter Konz is a player I believe the Ravens sorely need to add in the first round. He can play guard this year, taking up the spot left by Ben Grubbs and ultimately move to center when Matt Birk retires.

But other teams could have their eye on him, leaving the Ravens to either pick up that piece in the first round or wait until later.

Georgia's Cordy Glenn would be another first-round target, but as the Ravens pick 29th overall, he's likely to be well off the board by then. Michigan's David Molk is a player we know can start at guard and move to center, and they could land him in the second round easily.

Another second-round option would be Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele. Depending on interest in him, he could still be available into the third round, but it's hard to say he'd last as late as the Ravens' pick at No. 91.

If the Ravens wait until even later, then Mike Brewster from Ohio State is their last best bet. He's a natural center who could likely play guard, especially considering his pass blocking skills. He'd need the offseason to gain some bulk, however, to be successful moving (temporarily) to guard.

Mark Barron is the best safety in this year's draft, and I fully believe the Cincinnati Bengals have more than a passing interest in him. It's going to be a hard debate for the Bengals in the coming weeks as to whether they'd want to use one of their two first-round picks on him.

I think if Cincinnati goes defense in the first round, they will pick up a cornerback and not a safety. Releasing Chris Carter on Friday signals more that they're going forward with strong safety Taylor Mays as their starter this year.

At free safety, they're set at the starting position with Reggie Nelson, recently re-signed to a long-term deal.

I do think the Bengals will add another strong safety to their roster, but it's not a need as great as some of their others. As such, while I think they have some interest in Barron, ultimately they'll make a move at the position in a later round when Barron is very much off the board.

That's it for this week; hit the follow button below and be on the lookout for the next call for mailbag submissions next Friday.

Follow @FBALL_Andrea