AFC North -- Steelers, Bengals, Browns, Ravens -- Is Dominating NFL Free Agency So Far

It's too early to know which team has won the NFL offseason championship -- although the Houston Texans might disagree – because this is only the second day of free agency and there are many talented players still unsigned. But it's easy to say what division is winning free agency.

And since I like easy, here you go:

The AFC North.

No question.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns are doing outstanding work so far and no foursome from another division has so far come close.

So why am I saying this? Well, let's do the exercise: 

Let's begin with the Bengals …

LAS VEGAS - Zack Moss speaks on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVIII on February 8, 2024. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

It might look a little worrisome because they lost right tackle Jonah Williams to the Cardinals. And anchor defensive tackle D.J. Reader was starting to make free agency recruiting visits Wednesday, with his first stop expected to be the Lions.

But the Bengals are going to be good. Maybe better than good.

They believe they have upgraded in replacing Joe Mixon with Zack Moss at running back because they just saved $6.1 million in cap costs by trading Mixon and picking up a seventh-round draft pick. The Bengals also see Moss as a bit more explosive than Mixon.

Mixon hasn't eclipsed 4.1 yards per carry since 2018, which was his second year in the league. Moss got off to a slow start in his career, but he hasn't been under 4.3 yards per carry since 2021, his second season in the NFL. And last year, Moss averaged 1.9 yards per rush after contact. Mixon averaged 1.4 yards per rush after contact. That stat suggests Moss can make more yards with less help.

The Reader loss would hurt, but the Bengals are