The AFC North looks to regain their title of the most competitive division after a down year. A plethora of moves have been made throughout the division, including new coaches for the Steelers, Ravens, and Browns. Multiple blockbuster trades and deals have been made, including the Bengals trading for Dexter Lawrence, a Cincinnati to Baltimore move by Trey Hendrickson, and the Browns trading away reigning NFL DPOY Myles Garrett. However, those are just the headlines; many smaller but crucial moves and changes have been made this offseason.
Here’s how each team’s roster stacks up position-by-position!
Quarterback
1. Cincinnati Bengals (Joe Burrow): When Joe Burrow is fully healthy, he is arguably the best QB in the league. Especially with the WR corps he is surrounded by, the lethal Bengals offense will have a fitting leader.
2. Baltimore Ravens (Lamar Jackson): Lamar Jackson is in a similar situation to Burrow. They are both top level QBs who can put their team on their backs. However, I gave Burrow the edge as I believe Joe is a bit better overall and is a bit more precise in the pocket.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (Aaron Rodgers): The NFL legend is taking one last ride this season. He is certainly a step below Burrow and Jackson, but he can still produce some decent numbers for a Pittsburgh team with limited expectations this year. Drew Allar is a rookie who comes in off an injury at Penn State last year. A developmental year under Rodgers is nearly priceless for the young QB.
4. Cleveland Browns (Undetermined): The Browns clearly have the worst starter in the division, no matter who it is. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are currently in a QB battle and are splitting first string reps this offseason. Either way, this QB room has the most to prove, be it Watson off his ruptured Achilles or a second year Sanders.
Running Back
1. Baltimore Ravens (Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, and Keaton Mitchell): Derrick Henry is certainly the most talented RB in the AFC North, and he will continue to be a dominant force. Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell bring in some extra value in certain situations.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle): Warren and Dowdle run in extremely different ways. Warren finds the gaps and powers his way through the line of scrimmage, while Dowdle is a speedy back who breaks loose for long runs. The contrasting styles of these two RBs should make a dangerous combo.
3. Cleveland Browns (Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson): Judkins had a promising rookie year, and is looking to make a jump to an elite level this year. Dylan Sampson is looking to improve upon his rookie season and continue to provide a backbone for Judkins.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (Chase Brown and Samaje Perine): Chase Brown was primed for a massive jump last season, however, he didn’t quite get there. This year, he is looking to give it another go. If the offense stays healthy around him, it’ll help open up opportunities for Brown. Perine remaining in Cincy does provide some great depth for the roster.
Wide Receivers
1. Cincinnati Bengals (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas): Cincinnati has arguably the best WR duo in the league. Everyone should know the pure skill of Ja’Marr Chase, shown by his Triple Crown win. Tee Higgins is a freak athlete who will win almost any 50/50 ball. Iosivas and the rest of the corps are always a threat to catch a deep ball, especially when defenses pay so much attention to the core 2.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr, and Germie Bernard): The Steelers made a massive move this offseason in trading for Michael Pittman in order to bolster their offensive firepower. DK Metcalf is an athletic freak and will always be a dangerous playmaker. This is a solid corps for Pittsburgh.
3. Cleveland Browns (Jerry Jeudy, KC Concepcion, and Denzel Boston): Jerry Jeudy is extremely dangerous and is a threat to put up large numbers on any given Sunday. However, the QB play could limit his production. KC Concepcion is heading into his first season in the league, and he has some serious potential.
4. Baltimore Ravens (Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Devontez Walker): The Ravens are a really good football team. However, their receiving corps is a weak point. Zay Flowers is a speedy threat, and will look to build off of a strong 2025 (86/1211/5TD), after that, depth is a massive concern.
Tight Ends
1. Baltimore Ravens (Mark Andrews): Mark Andrews is the best TE in the AFC North, nothing else needs to be said. Andrews is getting older, but the TE is not a strong position in this division.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington): Both Washington and Freiermuth are solid TEs. Pat is the go-to guy for Pittsburgh, while Washington’s 6’7″, 264 pound frame can go on big runs when he gets moving.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Erick All Jr, and Tanner Hudson): Yes, I included all four TEs on the Bengals’ depth chart. Gesicki is the main guy, but all four of these TEs should see at least some sort of action this season.
4. Cleveland Browns (Harold Fannin Jr.): Fannin is looking to improve off a solid rookie year. He is now the main man in Cleveland with the departure of David Njoku.
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O-Line
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: The young Steelers line had a great season last year and is looking to maintain their high levels of protection for QB Aaron Rodgers.
2. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens have a very solid line, specializing in run protection. Their entire offensive identity is run-first, so this works well.
Baltimore and Pittsburgh are the clear front runners in this category, and there is a massive gap below spot number two.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals have a relatively weak line, as shown by the amount of times Joe Burrow has been sacked in his career. However, there is some young potential with this group.
4. Cleveland Browns: The Browns are in a similar spot as the Bengals, they struggle and let up a lot of sacks.
Defense
1. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens defense is ALWAYS good, every single year without fail. Their high-pressure schemes and elite secondary play always makes a big impact in games.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers pass rush is deadly every year. Whenever you have TJ Watt and Cam Heyward on the D-Line, there is gonna be some real chaos.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals went to town this offseason, making a blockbuster trade for Dexter Lawrence and adding seasoned veteran Bryan Cook. Cincinnati did exactly what they needed to bolster their defense and get their explosive offense the support they need.
4. Cleveland Browns: No, the Browns do not have a terrible defense. The AFC North is known for its elite defense. The loss of Myles Garrett will hurt greatly, and without their X-factor, they may struggle.
Special Teams
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Boswell is clearly the best kicker in the AFC North and Cameron Johnston is an experienced veteran at punter.
2. Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Rehkow was a top-five punter on average yardage last season. When Evan McPherson is on, he is elite.
3. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens core on special teams is very young. Tyler Loop was a solid replacement for Justin Tucker in his rookie season and Ryan Eckley is a brand new punter out of Michigan State.
4. Cleveland Browns: Unfortunately, the Browns once again find themselves in last. Andre Szmyt was a bottom half kicker and Corey Bojorquez punted the most in the entire league.
Head Coach
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Mike McCarthy): Mike McCarthy is looking to continue the consistency of Mike Tomlin, and improve on it. As it is year one, no one is sure what to expect from him.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (Zac Taylor): Zac Taylor isn’t exactly liked in Cincinnati, but he has had some past success. When his team is healthy, they win a lot of games.
3. Baltimore Ravens (Jesse Minter): Jesse Minter’s first season as a head coach is here, he was the Chargers’ defensive coordinator before this. I’d expect a very defensive-minded approach.
4. Cleveland Browns (Todd Monken): This is Monken’s second stint with the Browns, as he was their OC a few years ago. Opposite from Minter, I would expect an offensive-minded approach.
Record Prediction
1. Cincinnati Bengals (13-4): This could be controversial but when the Bengals are healthy, they are one of the best teams in the league. I am banking on Burrow to have an MVP caliber season. We will have a schedule preview for the Bengals in the next few days.
2. Baltimore Ravens (12-5): The AFC North will be a two-team race this year. Baltimore is always a solid team and Cincy’s duel with them on New Year’s Eve will be absolutely crucial in the race.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-9): Pittsburgh will remain around that .500 mark for yet another year, and they will have to make some serious moves to compete again.
4. Cleveland Browns (3-14): The Browns will have a rough year, trading away Myles Garrett showed that they are in a clear rebuild mode.
The AFC North will certainly be a fun watch this season, with a huge two-team race and stars thriving all around. Thanks for reading!