AFC Jenga Pieces

Here are the AFC Jenga Pieces. The players that are so important to their team's success that their removal would cause the whole thing to fall. Quarterbacks are not included because their selection would be too easy and less fun.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Le'Veon Bell, RB

Antonio Brown and Ryan Shazier are options but Le'Veon Bell gets the nod. Even though the Steelers have managed to navigate successfully through Bell's injuries and suspensions he takes the offense to a whole other level.

Baltimore Ravens
Marshall Yanda, G

Marshall Yanda's the best guard in the league and solidifies their line. The Ravens line continues to be solid despite the losses of fine players like Kelechi Osemele and Ricky Wagner.

Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green, WR

The Bengals have added a lot of young offensive talent recently. Until those players step up A.J. Green makes the offense an explosive one.

Cleveland Browns
Joe Thomas, T

Joe Thomas has been the best tackle in the league pretty much since the day he was drafted in 2007.

New England Patriots
Devin McCourty, S

As long as Bill Belichick is directing things on the sideline and Tom Brady is directing things on the field it doesn't seem to matter who the Patriots put on the field. They just keep churning the roster and winning games. They won a Super Bowl without Rob Gronkowski. Devin McCourty and Dont'a Hightower are the only other players that they made significant commitments to retain. So, I'll go with McCourty.

Miami Dolphins
Jay Ajayi, RB

The Dolphins started winning last year when Jay Ajayi started getting significant carries.

New York Jets
Leonard Williams, DL

Who knows what's going on with the Jets. They committed heavily to defensive linemen in recent drafts. Of Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, and Leonard Williams it's easiest to see Williams still on the team in four years.

Buffalo Bills
LeSean McCoy, RB

The Bills offense goes as LeSean McCoy goes.

Indianapolis Colts
T.Y. Hilton, WR

Rookie safety Malik Hooker could be the pick in a couple of years. Until then the explosive T.Y. Hilton's the pick.

Tennessee Titans
Taylor Lewan, T

If I had to pick a left tackle to succeed Joe Thomas as the annual best in the game, Taylor Lewan's the pick.

Houston Texans
J.J. Watt, DE

J.J. Watt missed most of the 2016 season and the Texans defense was still really good. A lot of that had to do with emergence of Jadeveon Clowney. When healthy, Watt is still the most disruptive defensive player in the league. Watt and Clowney on the field together will be a nightmare for offenses.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Jalen Ramsey, CB

Jalen Ramsey would be a real easy choice if he wasn't such a knucklehead on the field at times. As it is he's still an easy choice. He's only played a single NFL season and he's already shown Defensive Player of the Year potential. That's not often seen from a cornerback.

Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry, S

After making quick work of cancer Eric Berry returned to his dominant football ways. Justin Houston deserves a lot of consideration.

Oakland Raiders
Khalil Mack, DE

On a team with offensive playmakers like Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, and now Marshawn Lynch, Khalil Mack is still the face of the team for me. He wrecks offenses.

Denver Broncos
Von Miller, LB

Football's most sought after difference-makers are quarterbacks and pass rushers. Von Miller is one of the best, if not the best, pass rusher in the league.

San Diego Chargers
Joey Bosa, DE

Again, it's all about the pass rusher and the AFC West is loaded with quality pass rushers. As with Jalen Ramsey, it only took a rookie season to see the disrupting potential of Joey Bosa. If he builds on his tremendous rookie season he'll approach the likes of division peers Mack and Miller.