Ranking the AFC North LBs, Pre-NFL Draft Edition

For two teams in the AFC North, the linebacking crew is the bread-and-butter of their respective defenses; for the other two, they're still works in progress, and the rankings reflect this.

Obviously, there were differences in each squad's productivity last year simply because two teams—the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens—have a 3-4 configuration while the Browns and the Bengals run a 4-3.

So ranking the four teams has to be done fairly despite their differences. Primarily, the Ravens and Steelers are judged on their aggressiveness, and the Browns and Bengals on their abilities to stop the run and the dump-off passing game.

1. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens boasted the top linebacking crew in the division last season and it wasn't really close. Terrell Suggs was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, with 14 sacks, two interceptions and seven forced fumbles to his name. Though it wasn't the best season for either Ray Lewis or Jameel McClain, but they were tops in tackling.

The Ravens excelled at stopping the run last year. This season, that may be more difficult, now that they don't have Jarret Johnson and will likely rely on Paul Kruger to take his spot unless they bring in someone via the draft. However, their pass rush should be as strong as ever (though a bit of drop off is to be expected from the aging Lewis).

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

In any other division, the Steelers would easily have the top linebacking corps. But this is the AFC North, the division where defense is king. Injuries held down the entire group's production last year—LaMarr Woodley missed time with a hamstring issues and James Harrison battled a broken orbital bone.

Dropping James Farrior from the roster shouldn't affect them too much this season—he was already being rotated with this year's ostensible starter Larry Foote last season. Lawrence Timmons isn't the most consistent player but did lead the linebackers in tackles last year. And there's a very good chance they draft Dont'a Hightower in the first round. They should remain solid as ever in 2012.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals relied far more heavily on their defensive line to stop the run last year than their linebacking crew, who were far more inconsistent than expected.

Rey Maualuga wasn't as effective as he should have been at middle linebacker—to the point where, depending on the draft, they may move him back outside this season—and Manny Lawson didn't produce as the pass rusher the team hoped he'd be.

First-year outside linebacker Thomas Howard led the team in tackles and should keep up or improve upon that production this year. Consistency and quality control will be major issues for the Bengals linebacking crew to work on this offseason.

4. Cleveland Browns

The Browns' linebacking corps can be broken down into two categories—D'Qwell Jackson (who was second-overall in the NFL in tackles last season) and everyone else. Aside from Jackson's stellar year, the Browns linebackers struggled mightily, helping the team give up nearly 150 yards on the ground per game.

Scott Fujita wound up on injured reserve for the second straight season and looked slower than ever when he was on the field and his replacement, Kaluka Maiava, may have the skill set to be a linebacker but lacks the size to be effective. But the Browns might have been onto something when they moved Chris Gocong from the weak side to the strong.

The Browns linebacking corps needs a pass rush specialist and players with the right size and speed to stop the run, or else it will be more of the same in 2012.

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