AFC North training camp watch: Biggest surprise, hottest seat, more

With training camps underway, it's time to preview the biggest storylines throughout the NFL. Here's what to watch for in the AFC North:

THE BIGGEST SURPRISE WILL BE ... | Najee Harris, RB, Steelers: Harris has quietly put together two solid seasons with the Steelers to start his NFL career, rushing for 1,200 and 1,034 yards. However, those numbers are more a product of workload than productivity, as he has yet to reach four or more yards per carry. 

Pittsburgh improved its offensive line this offseason with the additions of rookie left tackle Broderick Jones, a first-round pick, and veteran guard Isaac Seumalo, giving Harris the most talented front five he's had since entering the league. Harris battled through a toe/foot injury last season, so we should see his best version yet if he's fully healthy. 

Running backs have never been valued less, so Harris is among the many who have something to prove.

HOTTEST SEAT | Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns: The Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230M fully guaranteed contract last offseason, but he didn't look the part of a franchise QB. He went 3-3 after returning from an NFL suspension, throwing for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

In the offseason, the team traded for WR Elijah Moore and drafted WR Cedric Tillman to help him knock off the rest of his rust. Watson is being paid as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, so he must play like one. If he doesn't, the Browns will regret their all-in decision on the controversial 27-year-old.

MOST SURPRISING CUT | Patrick Queen, LB, Ravens: It won't come in the form of a release, but the Ravens could move on from Queen, a 2020 first-round pick. Perhaps he'll get traded during camp. Queen is productive — the 23-year-old had a career-high 117 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions in 2022. But Baltimore declined his fifth-year option and drafted his potential replacement in Trenton Simpson in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Baltimore also signed fellow LB Roquan Smith to a five-year, $100M deal. There's only so much money to go around at this position.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION | Can anyone dethrone the Bengals? Cincinnati has won the division the past two seasons and appeared in back-to-back AFC title games and a Super Bowl during the span. The Bengals have the second-best quarterback in the league in Joe Burrow and a young team that has shown no signs of slowing.

However, every other team in the AFC North seemed to get better this offseason. The Ravens have finally given QB Lamar Jackson a multitude of weapons. The Browns have built around Watson and strengthened their defensive line. And the Steelers built up their offensive line in hopes of QB Kenny Pickett taking a leap in his second season. The AFC North may be the most competitive division in the NFL. Photo finish, anyone?

BIGGEST HEADLINE COMING OUT OF CAMP | Ravens health remains biggest obstacle: Baltimore has been hit with the injury bug over the past few seasons, derailing its postseason aspirations. In 2022, Jackson missed several games to end the season, including the team's wild-card loss to the Bengals. Staying healthy must be a priority for the Ravens.