Most Underrated Player on Each AFC North Team

AFC North

J.K. Dobbins (RB – BAL) 
J.K. Dobbins left a sour taste in people’s mouths after his sluggish start last season, returning from mulitple injuries. He required another knee surgery after Week 6 and was placed on IR until Week 14. However, when Dobbins finally returned later in the year, he showed why he’s such a highly regarded talent. In his last five games, including the playoffs, he averaged an impressive 6.6 yards per carry, 92 rushing yards, and 14 carries per game. This strong finish is a promising sign for his 2023 prospects in an offense that should light the league ablaze under the QB/OC combination of Lamar Jackson/Todd Monken. – Erickson

Irv Smith Jr. (TE – CIN)
Irv Smith Jr. has still yet to turn 25, but injuries have plagued him over the last two seasons. His impressive sophomore campaign seems like a distant memory, more than an actual way to project him moving forward. At least Smith was able to return from the high-ankle sprain that placed him on IR in 2022, and he will get the chance to be fully healthy during off-season activities. Before his injury in Week 8, ISJ was the TE23 in points per game (5.7) and caught at least two passes in all but one game. The former second-round pick still has talent and could easily rebound on a high-powered Bengals offense that features tight ends plenty in the passing game. His 20% target rate per route run ranked 12th among all tight ends with at least 30 targets in 2022. – Erickson

Jerome Ford (RB – CLE)
The Browns are not expected to re-sign Kareem Hunt, and D’Ernest Johnson is gone, leaving Ford as the clear backup to Nick Chubb. Ford ran for 1,300 yards and scored 20 touchdowns in his final season at the University of Cincinnati. He has good size (5-11, 210 pounds) and 4.46 speed. This is a potentially valuable asset who can be acquired very inexpensively. – Pat Fitzmaurice

Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
Diontae Johnson remains the WR1 in the Steeler’s offense. While he had a disappointing season in 2022, the stage is set for a massive bounce-back campaign this season. Johnson was the WR20 in expected fantasy points per game last year. He had no issues earning a 27.0% target share (13th-best) thanks to his ability to get open at will. Last year Johnson ranked first in open rate (per ESPN analytics), which illuminates that his talent and supreme route-running chops haven’t fallen off at all. – Dbro

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio