A Look at the AFC North: Pre-Draft Analysis

Baltimore Ravens:

This team was perhaps the biggest disappointment of the 2026 season. With an AFC Championship appearance and even higher expectations, missing the playoffs was simply unacceptable.

Reasons for optimism:

Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are still the scariest running duo in the NFL. Zay Flowers is a very good WR and Mark Andrews still has some gas left in the tank. On paper, there are elite defenders on this roster; they just need to show up on the field.

Reasons for pessimism:

A dual-threat QB who missed time on and off last year due to nagging injuries is a concern. Henry is 32. How long can Lamar stay an elite scrambler and Henry remain an elite RB? I can’t explain the defense absolutely falling apart game after game. Perhaps the new HC Jesse Minter can turn things around.

Draft:

The Ravens have the 14th pick this year, and I believe the offensive line is a top need for them. They lost a top-tier center last year in Linderbaum and need to do whatever they can to protect Lamar. Spencer Fano looks like a great option here.

Projected Record: 11-6

Cincinnati Bengals:

Missing the playoffs wasn’t a surprise when your franchise QB misses significant time and you have the worst defense in the NFL. The Bengals gave up 492 points last year—roughly 100 more than all other defenses in the division. That is close to giving up a full extra TD per game compared to division rivals.

Reasons for optimism:

Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins can light up any defense. If they can score 30+ every game, they might make the playoffs. That’s not too much to ask…

Reasons for pessimism:

As a Saints fan, Joe Burrow and the Bengals remind me of Drew Brees and the Saints when Brees torched defenses and routinely threw for 4,500+ yards a season. The issue was that the defense was terrible. I don’t see the defense making much of a leap this year, even with a top-10 draft pick.

Draft:

Needing significant defensive help, I think the Bengals should trade down into the mid-to-late teens and get another 2nd rounder. Spend the 1st and both 2nd-round picks on the best available defensive players.

Projected Record: 10-7

Cleveland Browns:

The Browns are the Browns. Myles Garrett breaks the sack record, and the team wins five games. It doesn’t get more "Browns" than that.

Reasons for optimism:

There isn’t much optimism this year, but with three early picks in this year’s draft, 2027 could be a sneaky good year for them.

Reasons for pessimism:

This roster is bad. Sanders isn’t even worth a backup spot on most NFL rosters. Tank and get an actual franchise QB in next year’s draft.

Draft:

With the 6th pick, the Browns have to take Sonny Styles. He looks like an elite linebacker; why not give Myles Garrett a stud to help on defense? With the 24th pick, either an offensive lineman or a wide receiver makes sense.

Projected Record: 4-13

Pittsburgh Steelers:

Somehow the Steelers returned to the playoffs. I’m not sure how they always stay slightly above average but that streak has to be coming to an end…right?

Reasons for optimism:

I’m just not optimistic about this team. Is Rodgers coming back? Should he? Big Ben’s last season was 2021, and they haven’t addressed a long-term solution for his replacement. Nothing about this team is elite.

Reasons for pessimism:

The endless cycle of being a fringe playoff team with no real chance of advancing must end. The team is old; they should sell what they can and commit to a proper down year. Send T.J. Watt to the Bills. They can figure out how to make the money work.

Draft:

The Steelers should go to the offensive line with the 21st pick. Olaivavega Ioane should be available here.

Projected Record: 6-11