--AFC North Division--
Pittsburgh Steelers
n Key additions: WR Jerricho Cotchery (Jets); TE John Gilmore (Buccaneers); CB Curtis Brown (draft).
n Key losses: OT Flozell Adams (released); WR Antwaan Randle El (released); TE Matt Spaeth (Bears);
n Outlook: The Steelers overcame injures and the loss of Ben Roethlisberger to suspension last year and still made the Super Bowl. Expect Cotchery to give Roethlisberger another reliable third-down target and the Steelers to march deep into the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens
n Key additions: WR Lee Evans (Bills); OT Jared Gaither (Chiefs); OT Kyle Calloway (Bills); RB Ricky Williams (Dolphins); TE Kris Wilson (Chargers); TE Jonathan Stupar (Bills); SS Bernard Pollard (Texans); FB Vonta Leach (Texans)
n Key losses: WR Derrick Mason (Jets); QB Marc Bulger (retired); CB Frank Walker (Titans); FB Le'Ron McClain (Chiefs); TE Todd Heap (Cardinals); C Chris Chester (Redskins); RB Willis McGahee (Broncos).
n Outlook: The Ravens and Steelers are so close, even their styles are similar: tough defense, run-first offense and two quarterbacks who love to throw the long-ball. Running back Ray Rice had a subpar season in 2010. If he returns to form, he gives the Ravens an offensive weapon that the Steelers can't match.
Cleveland Browns
n Key additions: S Brett Johnson (Seahawks); P Richmond McGee (Bears); DT Phil Taylor (draft); CB Dimitri Patterson (Eagles); OG John Greco (Rams); DT Brodrick Bunkley (Eagles); RB Brandon Jackson (Packers); S Usama Young (Saints).
n Key losses: OG/C Billy Yates (retired); DE Matt Roth (Jaguars); Blake Costanzo (49ers); DE Kenyon Coleman (Cowboys); CB Eric Wright (Lions); QB Jake Delhomme (released) .
n Outlook: If the preseason is any indication, the Browns might have found a franchise quarterback in Colt McCoy. He spent part of the offseason learning the West Coast offense from Brett Favre, and the results have been dramatic.
Cincinnati Bengals
n Key additions: TE Bo Scaife (Titans); TE John Nalbone (Eagles); LB Manny Lawson (49ers); CB Nate Clements (49ers); WR A.J. Green (draft); QB Andy Dalton (draft); OG Clint Boling (draft);
n Key losses: TE Reggie Kelly (retired); OT Isaac Sowells (Lions); CB Jonathan Joseph (Texans); WR Chad Ochocinco (Patriots); WR Terrell Owens (unsigned).
n Outlook: Incumbent starting quarterback Carson Palmer said he will never play another down for the Bengals. Add the departures of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens, and it's clear rebuilding has begun.
--AFC South Division--
Indianapolis Colts
n Key additions: DE Tyler Brayton (Panthers); TE Michael Matthews (Bills); G Josh Beekman (Bears); OT Anthony Castonzo (draft); LB Ernie Sims (Eagles); QB Dan Orlovsky (Texans); DL Jamaal Anderson (Falcons); QB Kerry Collins (Titans).
n Key losses: DT Daniel Muir (Rams); LB Clint Session (Jaguars).
n Outlook: Since 1998, the franchise has revolved around quarterback Peyton Manning. With offseason neck surgery his status for Week 1 is in doubt (that's why they lured Kerry Collins from retirement). If Manning is slow to heal, the season will drag on and give Indianapolis fans a glimpse of what life without him will be like.
Houston Texans
n Key additions: LB Tim Dobbins (Dolphins); FB Lawrence Vickers (Browns); P Brad Maynard (Bears); DE J.J. Watt (draft); S Danieal Manning (Bears); P Matt Turk (Jaguars); CB Jonathan Joseph (Bengals).
n Key losses: SS Bernard Pollard (Ravens); QB Dan Orlovsky (Colts).
n Outlook: The Texans have been on the cusp of a playoff appearance for a couple of seasons, but a lousy defense has held them back. The front office addressed some of those needs, so the time is now. Safety Danieal Manning and cornerback Jonathan Joseph should give them the best secondary in franchise history. If defensive end Mario Williams can apply enough pressure the secondary could generate some turnovers.
Jacksonville Jaguars
n Key additions: OL Tony Moll (Ravens); S Dawan Landry (Ravens); CB Drew Coleman (Jets); QB Blaine Gabbert (draft); LB Clint Session (Colts); LB Paul Posluszny (Jaguars).
n Key losses: DE Matt Roth (Browns); OG Justin Smiley (Raiders); DE Derrick Harvey (Broncos); QB Trent Edwards (Raiders); P Adam Podlesh (Bears); LB Justin Durrant (Lions); WR Mike Sims-Walker (Rams); P Matt Turk (Texans).
n Outlook: The Jaguars selected Blaine Gabbert as their franchise quarterback of the future. How soon will that future begin? If it's now, Jacksonville takes a step back for this season. Star running back Maurice Jones-Drew was hampered by a sore knee last year. They need him healthy.
Tennessee Titans
n Key additions: S Anthony Smith (Packers); LB David Thornton (retired); S Jordan Babineaux (Seahawks); CB Frank Walker (Ravens); TE Daniel Graham (Broncos); LB Barrett Ruud (Buccaneers); QB Jake Locker (draft); LB Akeem Ayers (draft); DT Shaun Smith (Chiefs); QB Matt Hasselbeck (Seahawks).
n Key losses: TE Bo Scaife (Bengals); WR Randy Moss (retired); DL Jason Babin (Eagles); QB Vince Young (Eagles).
n Outlook: The holdout of Chris Johnson puts the season in doubt, which was not promising to begin with. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was signed to give first-round pick Jake Locker time to develop. If Johnson's holdout continues, the wheels could come off in coach Mike Munchak's first season.
--NFC West--
Arizona Cardinals
n Key additions: QB Kevin Kolb (Eagles); TE Todd Heap (Ravens); DE Vonnie Holliday (Redskins); RB Ryan Williams (draft); OG Floyd Womack (Browns); CB Patrick Peterson (draft); CB Richard Marshall (Panthers); LB Stewart Bradley (Eagles); WR Chansi Stuckey (Browns).
n Key losses: QB Derek Anderson (Panthers); RB Tim Hightower (Redskins); CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Eagles); LB Gerald Hayes (free agent); WR Steve Breaston (Chiefs).
n Outlook: Kevin Kolb has looked solid in the preseason. The addition of tight end Todd Heap as a security blanket on third down could be a big help, and first-round pick Patrick Peterson should make up for the loss of Dominiqe Rogers-Cromartie. This should be enough for the Cardinals to win a weak division.
St. Louis Rams
n Key additions: LB Ben Weber (Vikings); OL Quinn Ojinnaka (Patriots); RB Cadillac Williams (Bucs); RB Jerious Norwood (Falcons); LB Brady Poppinga (Packers); DT Daniel Muir (Colts); DE Robert Quinn (draft); DT Justin Bannan (Broncos); WR Mike Sims-Walker (Jaguars); CB Al Harris (Dolphins); S Quintin Mikell (Eagles).
n Key losses: WR Laurent Robinson (Chargers).
n Outlook: Last year's No. 1 overall pick, Sam Bradford, had a strong rookie season, passing for 3,512 yards and 18 touchdowns. A healthy Mark Clayton (23 catches for 300 yards and two touchdowns in five games before he injured his knee) will help. Also, the additions of Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood will help when Steven Jackson deals with annual bumps and bruises.
San Francisco 49ers
n Key additions: WR Braylon Edwards (Jets); SS Donte Whitner (Bills); CB Carlos Rodgers (Redskins); C Jonathan Goodwin (Saints); LB Blake Costanzo (Browns); S Madieu Williams (Vikings); LB Antwan Applewhite (Chargers); K David Akers (Eagles); QB Colin Kaepernick (draft).
n Key losses: LB Thaddeus Gibson (released); NT Aubrayo Franklin (Saints); QB David Carr (Giants); CB Nate Clements (Bengals); K Joe Nedney (released); LB Takeo Spikes (Chargers).
n Outlook: The 49ers re-signed quarterback Alex Smith for new coach Jim Harbaugh. Can Harbaugh unlock the former No. 1 pick's potential or will he turn to second-round pick Colin Kaepernick?
Seattle Seahawks
n Key additions: K Jeff Reed (49ers); TE Zach Miller (Raiders); OT James Carpenter (draft); WR Sidney Rice (Vikings); OG Robert Gallery (Raiders); QB Tarvaris Jackson (Vikings).
n Key losses: OT Sean Locklear (Redskins); S Jordan Babineaux (Titans); OL Stacy Andrews (Giants); C Chris Spencer (Bears); LB Lofa Tatupu (released); OL Chris White (Giants); QB Matt Hasselbeck (Titans).
n Outlook: The Seahawks released longtime quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for the potential of Tarvaris Jackson. It could be argued they're hoping to land Stanford's Andrew Luck next season. Tight end Zack Miller and wide receiver Sidney Rice will be huge upgrades for the passing game if Jackson can get them the ball.
--NFC South--
Atlanta Falcons
n Key additions: DT Carlton Powell (Jets); DE Ray Edwards (Vikings); WR Julio Jones (draft); P Matt Bosher (draft, University of Miami).
n Key losses: RB Jerious Norwood (Rams); WR Michael Jenkins (Vikings); DE Jamaal Anderson (Colts); OG Harvey Dahl (Rams); P Michael Koenen (Buccaneers).
n Outlook: At 13-3, the Falcons finished with the best record in the NFC and wisely plugged some holes. Defensive end Ray Edwards (eight sacks with the Vikings last season) should bring a big boost to the pass rush, and rookie wide receiver Julio Jones could take some attention away from Pro Bowler Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez. For Michael Vick and the Eagles to reach the Super Bowl, they might have to go through Vick's former team.
New Orleans Saints
n Key additions: C Olin Kreutz (Bears); OT Alex Barron (Cowboys); NT Aubrayo Franklin (49ers); DE Cameron Jordan (draft); S Paul Oliver (Chargers); DE Turk McBride (Lions); RB Mark Ingram (draft); LB Martez Wilson (draft); RB Darren Sproles (Chargers).
n Key losses: T Jon Stinchcomb (released); LB K.C. Asiodu (Packers); DL Anthony Hargrove (Eagles); C Jonathan Goodwin (49ers); RB Reggie Bush (Dolphins); DT Remi Ayodele (Vikings).
n Outlook: Offense is never a problem for this team, and the addition of Mark Ingram might yield an every-down back the Saints could use. The pressure is always on the defense to keep up. The addition of nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, and linebacker Martez Wilson will have to make an impact. Darrewn Sproles replaces Reggie Bush.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
n Key additions: CB Ashton Youboty (Bills); P Michael Koenen (Falcons).
n Key losses: OL Jonathan Compas (Patriots); RB Cadillac Williams (Rams); OL Donovan Raiola (Redskins); WR Maurice Stovall (Lions); LB Barrett Ruud (Titans).
n Outlook: The Buccaneers, led by young quarterback Josh Freeman, surprised a lot of teams last year. They won't surprise anyone this year. The Bucs are young and talented, but growing pains are still on the way.
Carolina Panthers
n Key additions: QB Cam Newton (draft); TE Greg Olsen (Bears); S Sean Considine (Jaguars); OG Bryant Browning (Rams); CB Chevis Jackson (Broncos); WR Legedu Naane (Chargers); QB Derek Anderson (Cardinals); LB Omar Gaither (Eagles); DT Ron Edwards (Chiefs); K Olindo Mare (Seahawks).
n Key losses: C Chris Morris (Patriots); K John Kasay (released).
n Outlook: The Panthers may have been the worst team in the NFL last season, but the cupboard was not totally bare. DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart are a dynamic 1-2 punch at running back, and Greg Olsen should be a reliable tight end. Quarterback Cam Newton, the first overall pick in April's draft, might start.
--AFC East--
New England Patriots
n Key additions: OG Mark Wetterer (Bengals); DT Albert Haynesworth (Redskins); WR Chad Ochocinco (Bengals); DE Shaun Ellis (Jets); DE Andre Carter (Redskins); LB/DE Mark Anderson (Texans); OT Nate Solder (draft)
n Key losses: CB Tony Carter (Vikings); DL Ty Warren (Broncos).
n Outlook: Outside of the Eagles, the Patriots added the most firepower in the abbreviated offseason. They also took the biggest gambles. Albert Haynesworth could team with Vince Wilfork and make the middle of the line impenetrable, or he could test coach Bill Belichick's patience and be gone by midseason.
New York Jets
n Key additions: WR Derrick Mason (Ravens); WR Plaxico Burress (Giants); DE Muhammad Wilkerson (draft); CB Donald Strickland (Chargers).
n Key losses: WR Jerricho Cotchery (Steelers); DE Shaun Ellis (Patriots); OL Damien Woody (retired); P Steve Weatherford (Giants); WR Braylon Edwards (49ers).
n Outlook: The Jets made the AFC Championship Game the past two seasons, and with a little luck, they can do it again. The receiving corps has been upgraded, but it's old. They key could be the continued development of quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Miami Dolphins
Key additions: RB Larry Johnson (free agent); LB Marvin Mitchell (Saints); OT Ray Willis (Seahawks); DE/LB Jason Taylor (Jets); DT Ronald Fields (Broncos); LB Kevin Burnett (Chargers); QB Matt Moore (Panthers); RB Reggie Bush (Saints).
Key losses: RB Ricky Williams (Ravens); LB Channing Crowder (retired); RB Ronnie Brown (Eagles); LB Tim Dobbins (Texans); QB Tyler Thigpen (Bills); CB Al Harris (Rams)
Outlook: Nationally, the defense is underrated, but the offense is a crapshoot. Adding Reggie Bush brings a breakaway treat, but there are more questions than answers.
Buffalo Bills
Key additions: WR Buster Davis (Chargers); LB Nick Barnett (Packers); DE Lionel Dotson (Dolphins); LB Kelvin Sheppard (draft); QB Tyler Thigpen (Dolphins).
Key losses: LB Aaron Maybin (Jets); CB Ashton Youboty (Buccaneers); WR Lee Evans (Ravens); LB Paul Posluszny (Jaguars).
Outlook: Any improvement on offense will have to come from within. Unfortunately, the Bills traded deep threat Lee Evans to the Ravens. The keys to the offense have been handed to unheralded Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills will be better, but they have a long way to go before contending in the AFC East.
