Each Wednesday leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today’s topic: recent history.



Baltimore Ravens



With a consistently great defense in place, the Ravens have put a lot of effort recently into improving their offense. Offensive tackle Michael Oher (2009), quarterback Joe Flacco (2008) and guard Ben Grubbs (2007) — all starters — were Baltimore’s past three first-round picks. The Ravens also had major success with former second-round pick Ray Rice and former fourth-round pick Le’Ron McClain. Both running backs made the Pro Bowl this past season. Expect Baltimore to continue to search for more offense high in the draft this year, as the team attempts to take its passing game to the next level.



Cincinnati Bengals



The reigning AFC North champs helped build their defense through the draft the past three years and will now focus on improving the offense. Recent draftees such as cornerback Leon Hall (2007) and linebackers Keith Rivers (2008) and Rey Maualuga (2009) are starters for Cincinnati’s defense. If the team has similar success on offense this year, the Bengals will be in good shape. Cincinnati currently needs help at tight end, receiver and guard. The Bengals may patch some of those holes in free agency. For example, receiver Terrell Owens is visiting Cincinnati Wednesday. But it will be important to fill any remaining offensive holes in this year’s draft.



Cleveland Browns



This is the third regime drafting for Cleveland in three years. Former general manager Phil Savage was fired after the 2008 season. Former general manager George Kokinis followed but was fired in 2009, paving the way for new president Mike Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert. A major reason the Browns are in the basement in the AFC North is their inability to draft impact players. Only five players selected in the past three drafts are steady starters, and only one (Joe Thomas) has made the Pro Bowl. With the No. 7 overall pick and 11 total picks, Holmgren needs to find impact players who can help erase the talent gap and turn around the Browns.



Pittsburgh Steelers



The Steelers are a veteran-laden team, so most of their picks the past three years have provided a delayed impact. Recent high picks such as Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley and Rashard Mendenhall all had to wait at least one year before getting their turn to be productive. Receiver Mike Wallace, last year’s third-round pick, was a rare exception. Pittsburgh president Art Rooney II recently said it’s vital for the team to develop its younger players more quickly. After missing the playoffs, the Steelers have a relatively high pick at No. 18. That player could turn out to be a rookie starter, particularly if the pick addresses the cornerback position or the offensive line.

Chiefs fans had been worried that their team wouldn’t make an impact signing. Fret no more.



ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported Kansas City signed running back Thomas Jones. The former Jets, Bears, Tampa Bay and Cardinals runner will be paid $5 million over the next two years.



This is a great deal for Kansas City. Jones may be 31 and he may have worn down some in the playoffs. But he is still a player who can help. He ran for more than 1,400 yards last season.



Jones has shown he is the rare tailback who can succeed after the age of 30. He has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons after turning 30. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Jones can tie the record — held by Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and John Riggins — for having three 1,000-yard rushing season after turning 30.



Don’t worry about this guy being finished. He’s not.



He gives Kansas City a legitimate NFL running game. It is clear the Chiefs are bound and determine to try to control and win games on the ground.



Jones will team with blossoming star Jamaal Charles. He had 1,120 yards in his second NFL season in 2009 despite not becoming the primary back until November.



Expect the game-breaking Charles to be the Chiefs’ primary back. But Jones will get plenty of carries and will likely be the Chiefs’ short-yardage back. This tandem should work fine. At the combine last month, Kansas City coach Todd Haley said it was imperative Kansas City get Charles some help because he is “200 pounds soaking wet.”



The Jones signing will make Charles better because he shouldn’t wear down. The Chiefs still have to improve their offensive line this offseason, but the Kansas City offense is on its way.



New offensive coordinator Charlie Weis will have plenty to work with. The Charles-Jones rushing duo should help quarterback Matt Cassel. With the run setting up the pass, Cassel won’t have to do it alone.



Kansas City has been looking to make an impact move for a week. It was reported the Chiefs were primed to visit with San Diego running back Darren Sproles before the Chargers gave him the high tender at the deadline. The Chiefs tried to trade for receiver Anquan Boldin on Friday before he was dealt to Baltimore.



After missing out on those productive offensive players, Kansas City — which re-signed standout receiver Chris Chambers on Monday and will likely target a receiver early in the draft — got itself a fine player in Jones.



He was the team’s top choice at running back in free agency. The team had lined up visits with free agents Justin Fargas and Willie Parker. A source close to the situation said Tuesday afternoon that Parker will not visit Kansas City now that Jones signed. Fargas’ visit is likely is jeopardy now as well.



Enjoy this signing Chiefs fans. It’s significant.

After relying heavily on players from his former team (New England) last year, second-year Denver coach Josh McDaniels went back to the Patriot well Tuesday as he remakes his defensive line.



The Broncos signed New England defensive end Jarvis Green. He signed for four years in a deal that will be worth a maximum of $20 million. Denver signed Baltimore defensive tackle Justin Bannan last week.



Both Green and Bannan should play significantly. Last year, Denver’s starting defensive ends were Kenny Peterson and Ryan McBean, and the nose tackle was Ronald Fields.



The Broncos are still trying to get a deal done with former San Diego nose tackle Jamal Williams to play him in a rotation.



Green is a solid but not a spectacular player. He started 12 games and he had one sack last season. Green, a veteran in the 3-4 scheme, has 28 sacks in eight seasons.



With all of the moves Denver is making on the defensive line, it may mean the Broncos will not use an early-round pick on a defensive lineman.



Meanwhile, it is being reported Denver could make a run at Tennessee veteran center Kevin Mawae.

A new Tuesday feature on the ESPN.com NFL blog network.



Will the trade for three-time Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin make the Baltimore Ravens an elite offense next season?



Boldin brought up an interesting point this week during his introductory news conference with the Ravens.



Despite leaving former Arizona Cardinals teammate Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin believes he could see less coverage in Baltimore.



“The way they run the ball here is unbelievable. They’re just the opposite here of what we were in Arizona,” Boldin explained. “[The Ravens], they will see eight-and-nine-man fronts, and [the Cardinals] see six, seven, eight guys in the secondary. So, hopefully when guys try to stack the box, that’s when I will come into play.”



Boldin is the missing link that should take a decent Baltimore offense and make it great next season.



For the past year, Boldin to the Ravens was often talked about but never came to fruition. Last weekend that scary thought became a reality when Baltimore traded its third- and fourth-round picks in 2010 to Arizona for Boldin and a fifth-round pick.



Offensively, the Ravens have a versatile offensive line, a strong running game with Pro Bowl tailback Ray Rice, and a budding quarterback in Joe Flacco who is eager to reach his potential. After failed attempts in the past, the Ravens finally landed the guy who could tie everything together.



“We had some dialogue with Arizona, but nothing as extensive as it got to be on Friday starting at about noon our time,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. “We actually started to discuss different ways of making a trade. The other time was just a courtesy call, and every time I would make that call, ‘We love Anquan, we want to keep Anquan, he is a big part of what we are getting done,’ and I respected that. But this time the call was made there was a different answer to me, which started the dialogue.”



For Newsome, this was a rare opportunity to cover up a past mistake.



Baltimore has one of the NFL’s best front offices and doesn’t miss often. But Newsome admits not taking Boldin, a second-round pick in the 2003 draft, was one of his biggest gaffes.



According to Newsome, Boldin didn’t fit the team’s “measurables.” Boldin was previously injured in college, wasn’t the tallest receiver available and ran a slow 40 time. To this day, Boldin is not considered a blazer.



Therefore, the Ravens traded out of the second round that year to move up and take quarterback Kyle Boller with the No. 19 overall pick. Boldin was taken by the Cardinals in the second round and the rest is history.



“I think in this situation I got blinded a little bit, and didn’t appreciate the football player as much as I should have,” Newsome said. “It took me seven years, but I finally got it right.”



Boldin now comes to Baltimore with high expectations and a four-year, $28 million contract. The Ravens were one of the final eight teams in the NFL last season and lost in the divisional round to the AFC champion Indianapolis Colts.



With a stout running game and top-five defense already in tow, Baltimore’s goal this offseason is to build an offense that can also win shootouts, if necessary. Boldin, with five career 1,000-yard seasons, is a major step in that direction. But there is still work to be done.



One of the underlying advantages of the Boldin trade was the fact Baltimore retained its first- and second-round draft picks this year. That offers the Ravens flexibility to continue to add to their offense.



With the No. 25 overall pick, there should be good options at receiver and tight end. Several potential offensive targets include Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham, Notre Dame receiver Golden Tate and Illinois receiver Arrelious Benn.



Baltimore also remains open to re-signing veteran receiver Derrick Mason, who could fit as the team’s No. 2 receiver opposite Boldin. Both players recorded 1,000-yard seasons in 2009. Mark Clayton and Donte’ Stallworth, who is returning from a year-long suspension, also are options in the passing game.



With one more receiver and perhaps another tight end added to the mix, there is not much Baltimore’s offense shouldn’t be able to accomplish in 2010. But the addition of Boldin takes the unit to a new level.



“I just feel like I add a piece to this offense,” Boldin said. “I know one thing that I was really looking at when looking at a team is … I wanted to go somewhere where one, I had an opportunity to win a championship — and I feel like I have that here. Two, a place that plays defense, runs the ball well, and has a great young quarterback.



“And I think Baltimore fits that to the ‘T.’”

I know many Chiefs fans are getting antsy because the team hasn’t brought in any new big-name veterans.

Chambers

But Kansas City fans need to be happy that the team has kept receiver Chris Chambers. He was a key free agent. Chambers showed he was a difference-maker for the Chiefs in the second half of last season.



Chambers regained his form after Kansas City claimed him off waivers from San Diego. He had 35 catches in nine games. He and quarterback Matt Cassel instantly connected when Chambers came to town.



If Dwayne Bowe can bounce back from a poor 2009, Kansas City will have a good set of starting receivers. This is a good move by the Chiefs.



Last week, Kansas City tried to trade for receiver Anquan Boldin, but the Cardinals sent him to Baltimore. The Chiefs are also trying to upgrade their backfield. They are visiting with running backs Thomas Jones and Justin Fargas this week.

Despite spending his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals, new Baltimore Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin is not a stranger to the AFC North.



According to ESPN Stats & Information, Boldin played six career games against his new division rivals — the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Currently the Browns and Steelers both lack quality depth at cornerback, although the draft and free agency could change that.



Paired with former teammate Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin was the second option in Arizona’s offense, but could have more balls thrown his way next season as the top option for Baltimore and quarterback Joe Flacco. This also means Boldin will face more No. 1 cornerbacks in the AFC North like Pittsburgh’s Ike Taylor and Cincinnati’s Johnathan Joseph.



Last season, Boldin caught 84 receptions for 1,024 yards and four touchdowns with the Cardinals. It was the fifth time Boldin eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in his career.

News emerged over the weekend that Minnesota’s first free-agent visit would come from none other than … a kickoff specialist.



That’s right. Rhys Lloyd, formerly of Baltimore and Carolina, is scheduled to arrive Monday at Minnesota’s facility. Why? From this angle, it appears the Vikings are acknowledging they have an extraordinarily accurate and reliable field goal kicker who lost a bit off his kickoff fastball last season.



Ryan Longwell converted 92.8 percent of his field goal attempts last season (26-of-28) but managed only five touchbacks on kickoffs. Opponents started their average drive at the 27.5 yard line, ranking the Vikings’ kickoff team No. 23 in the NFL.



I’m not sure if the Vikings are committed to carrying a kickoff specialist on their roster next season, but it appears they’re at least considering taking part of the load off Longwell, who turns 36 in August.

Kerry Rhodes‘ addition isn’t going to offset all the Cardinals’ personnel losses this offseason, but his quick acquisition from the Jets following Antrel Rolle’s departure shows Arizona has a plan.



The Cardinals part with a fourth-round choice this year and a seventh-rounder next season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Arizona had an extra fourth-round choice in 2010 after trading Anquan Boldin and a fifth-rounder to the Ravens for third- and fourth-rounders.



“Great pickup,” Cards fan alvaden wrote in the comments of our earlier item. “It’s sweet when you can have confidence in your team’s leadership to stay on top of things, regardless of circumstances. He is a better pass defender than Rolle, and his numbers match Rolle’s even though he didn’t start all his games last year. He was outstanding in the playoffs. Now we just have to address the holes in the LB positions, improve our pass-rush, and pick up another safety in the draft. After all the moves in the last two days, I’m starting to like what I’m seeing!”



Amazing how one move can change the outlook. We shouldn’t go overboard with praise, but this move deserves some acknowledgment. The Cardinals have subsequently announced the move, indicating they gave up their own choices in the deal, not the fourth-rounder acquired from Baltimore.



“We all know that the safety position was a hole we needed to fill,” Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement released by the team. “To be able to do that so quickly and with a proven starter off the NFL’s No. 1 defense is a tremendous positive for our football team. Kerry has the experience and ability to step in right away. He fits a lot of the things that we do defensively and the prospect of having him alongside a perennial all-pro like Adrian Wilson is very exciting.”

Brandon Marshall is getting the royal treatment in Seattle as his visit there commences.



However, don’t expect a fast resolution. Just because Seattle struck quickly to arrange a visit for the restricted free agent receiver, it doesn’t mean he will sign quickly. This situation may percolate for a few days or longer.



There are going to be layers to this situation. First, Seattle has to feel comfortable with Marshall. That is the purpose of this visit. He has had several off-field issues, so Seattle has make sure it has a good feeling about Marshall. It has a good start because former Denver assistants Jeremy Bates, Jedd Fisch and Pat McPherson are on Seattle’s staff. They know Marshall and they like him.



Then, if Seattle does get a good feel for Marshall, it will start to negotiate a long-term deal. It wouldn’t make sense for Seattle to deal for Marshall and not give him an extension with just one year remaining on his contract. The contract discussions could take a while. Like any team dealing with Marshall, Seattle will likely pursue contract protection in case Marshall gets in trouble in the future.



Finally, if Seattle gets through the first two steps, it will be time to negotiate trade terms with Denver. Don’t expect Seattle to sign Marshall to a classic offer sheet for the first-round tender. Seattle very likely won’t want to surrender the No. 6 overall draft pick. Seattle also has the No. 14 pick, which was acquired from Denver last year on draft day when the Broncos traded for the chance to take cornerback Alphonso Smith at No. 37.



Seattle could be willing to trade a second draft pick. I wouldn’t be surprised if receiver Deion Branch was part of a deal. He flourished in New England when Denver coach Josh McDaniels was there and he could help in McDaniels’ system.



Still, there is a lot to hash out and it could take awhile. Seattle may not feel any urgency to finalize this deal until another team comes forward with interest. Thus far, that has not happened. Baltimore was expected to be interested, but that interest probably waned since the Ravens traded for Anquan Boldin on Friday.

We noted Friday that Detroit coach Jim Schwartz showed up on the doorstep of free agent defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch moments after the free agent market opened. As it turned out, Schwartz wasn’t the only Lions coach who made a recruiting trip.



On a last-minute whim, Schwartz sent offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to Seattle to meet and have dinner with free agent receiver Nate Burleson. Linehan had coached Burleson in Minnesota for two years, but Burleson said the visit “spoke volumes” and accelerated his decision to sign with the Lions.



“He didn’t need to sell me,” Burleson said. “It was more the effort of him coming to Seattle and showing that he really wanted to make a personal connection, even though I know Scott, it spoke volumes. For that reason, I was very appreciative.”



(Many thanks to Lions public relations for connecting me with the Lions’ media availability Saturday.)



According to Schwartz, Linehan had often used Burleson to illustrate the type of receiver he wanted to add to the Lions offense.



“He would come into my office and he would say, ‘You know, we need a guy like Nate Burleson,’” Schwartz said. “So many times, he would say, ‘We’re going to need a guy like Nate Burleson. You know, Nate Burleson had this. This is the way I used Nate Burleson.’ … I didn’t have a whole lot of experience with him, but when we were getting ready to play Seattle last year, all of a sudden I knew what Scott was talking about.”



Burleson’s instincts and natural ability to get open make him a strong complement to No. 1 receiver Calvin Johnson, much in the way Burleson once was with Randy Moss. Those skills shot Burleson’s name to the top of the Lions’ free agency wish list. Thursday morning, Schwartz watched every catch of Burleson’s 2009 season one more time before calling Linehan into his office.



“I told him I was planning to go to Nashville to [recruit Vanden Bosch],” Schwartz said. “So I said, ‘Why don’t we get you on a plane to go make a pitch to Nate?’ I think that personal touch made a big difference.”



General manager Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand signed off on the idea, which mirrored that of New York Jets coach Rex Ryan; last year, Ryan visited free agent Bart Scott — whom he once coached in Baltimore – immediately after the market opened.



Only time will tell how improved Detroit will be with Burleson and Vanden Bosch on the roster. But as the first week of March draws to a close, we can say with confidence that the Lions left nothing to chance after identifying their primary targets.