AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Offensive MVP: Steve Smith, WR
Call this a hunch, but Smith is going to have a special 2015 campaign following his announcement to retire after the season is concluded. He should have plenty of opportunities to shine, as rookies Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams will also demand plenty of attention.
Defensive MVP: Terrell Suggs, OLB
“Hacksaw” is like a fine wine—he keeps getting better with age. With 22 sacks the past two seasons, following his Achilles injury, Suggs is going to continue dominating offensive tackles this upcoming season and has become the emotional leader for the Ravens since Ray Lewis retired.
Cincinnati Bengals
Offensive MVP: A.J. Green, WR
Second-year running back Jeremy Hill is definitely in the running. However, in a contract year Green could explode with his finest season as a pro, barring a meltdown of epic proportions from Andy Dalton, who could be playing for his job this season.
Defensive MVP: Geno Atkins, DT
Before injuring his knee, Atkins was as dominant as Suh, or any other defensive tackle in the NFL. This summer has been his coming-back party at Bengals camp, where he’s been praised as the best player on the field.
Cleveland Browns
Offensive MVP: Duke Johnson, RB
Provided Johnson’s rookie campaign isn’t beleaguered by injury, he’s going to be the focal point of the Browns offense. Blessed with outstanding physical attributes, he is explosive, both running and catching the ball.
Defensive MVP: Paul Kruger, OLB
Though Kruger’s sack totals were down last year, he still pressured the quarterback plenty. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) counted 51 total pressures last season, and that number should go up in 2015.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Offensive MVP: Le’Veon Bell, RB
Bell was a revelation in his second season, racking up 2,215 total yards with 11 total touchdowns. He expects much more from himself, however, and recently said 2014 “wasn’t even close” to his best effort.
Defensive MVP: Ryan Shazier, ILB
Though undersized, Shazier plays huge. His ability to cover the entire field—from sideline to sideline—while excelling at rushing the passer from anywhere, makes him a tremendous weapon for Pittsburgh’s defense.