AFC North Power Rankings: Where the Ravens Stand After the 2026 NFL Draft
The setting couldn’t have been more fitting. In hostile territory, surrounded by black and gold, the Baltimore Ravens handled their business. Draft cards were read, new names were called, and yes—Baltimore leaned into the villain role along the way. The 2026 NFL Draft, held in Pittsburgh, was never going to be a quiet affair for the Ravens. But with former Raven Mark Ingram crushing it as a guest pick announcer, the purple and black made sure their presence was felt.
Now comes the real question: Did anything actually change in the AFC North? After three days of roster building, the answer is surprisingly simple: not much. While the division’s other three teams made moves, the hierarchy remains firmly intact. Now that we have time to catch our breath, let’s look at how these long-time rivals stand when stacked against one another.
1. Baltimore Ravens: Still the Kings of the North
Call it confidence, not bias. Baltimore still sits at the top of the division because they possess what every contender needs: a difference-maker at quarterback in Lamar Jackson. Until that changes, the Ravens maintain their edge.
The 2026 draft class only reinforced this reality. General Manager Eric DeCosta focused on protecting his franchise QB and adding explosive weapons. The first-round selection of Olaivavega Ioane (Guard, Penn State) at pick 14 was a masterstroke. Ioane is a road-grading interior lineman who will immediately bolster a run game that already terrorizes defenses. Pairing him with Tyler Linderbaum creates one of the most physically dominant interior duos in football.
But the Ravens didn’t stop there. In the second round, they snagged Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri), a high-motor pass rusher who fills the void left by veteran departures. Young’s ability to set the edge and collapse the pocket gives Baltimore a much-needed injection of youth off the edge.
Perhaps the most intriguing addition came in the third round: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC). Lane is a big-bodied receiver with surprising separation ability—exactly the kind of target Lamar Jackson has been missing on intermediate routes. Combined with fourth-round picks Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana) and Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU), the Ravens now boast a receiving corps that is deeper, more physical, and more versatile than it was a year ago.
Key draft additions for Baltimore:
- 1/14: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
- 2/45: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
- 3/80: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
- 4/115: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
- 4/133: Matthew Hibner, TE, SMU
- 5/162: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
- 5/173: Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama
- 5/174: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
- 6/211: Ryan Eckley, P, Michigan State
- 7/250: Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan
- 7/253: Evan Beerntsen, G, Northwestern
Prediction: The Ravens win the AFC North again, powered by a top-three rushing attack and a defense that will be top-10 in sacks. Lamar Jackson throws for 4,000+ yards for the first time in his career.
2. Cincinnati Bengals: The Closest Challenger, But Still a Step Behind
The Bengals entered the draft knowing they had to upgrade their offensive line and secondary. They did exactly that, but the gap between them and Baltimore remains significant. Joe Burrow is elite, but he cannot do it alone—especially when the Ravens’ pass rush just got younger and faster.
Cincinnati used their first-round pick on a cornerback, addressing a glaring need after losing a key starter in free agency. While the selection was solid, it doesn’t move the needle against Lamar Jackson. The Bengals still lack a consistent ground game to take pressure off Burrow, and their offensive line—while improved—is not yet on Baltimore’s level.
What the Bengals do have is Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, arguably the best wide receiver tandem in football. That alone keeps them dangerous. But in a division where the Ravens just added three new pass-catchers and a guard who will pancake defenders, Cincinnati’s margin for error is razor-thin.
Prediction: Cincinnati finishes 10-7 and grabs a Wild Card spot, but they split the season series with Baltimore at best. The Ravens’ defensive line, led by new edge rusher Zion Young, disrupts Burrow in both matchups.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drafting for the Future, But Still Rebuilding
The Steelers hosted the draft, and they made headlines by selecting a quarterback early. But let’s be honest: this is a team in transition. Mike Tomlin remains one of the best coaches in the league, but his roster is not championship-ready. The offensive line is still a work in progress, and the wide receiver room lacks a true number-one option.
Pittsburgh’s draft class was heavy on defense—something that will help them stay competitive in a physical division. However, the Ravens’ addition of Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke) in the fifth round was a sneaky-good move that gives Baltimore another sticky cover man to neutralize Pittsburgh’s young pass-catchers.
The Steelers also grabbed Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama) late in the fifth round—a pick that shows they are looking for mismatches. But Cuevas is a developmental player, while the Ravens just added two tight ends (Hibner and Cuevas) who can contribute immediately in 12-personnel packages.
Prediction: Pittsburgh finishes third in the division at 8-9. They are a year away from truly contending, and Baltimore’s veteran leadership will expose their inexperience in key moments.
4. Cleveland Browns: A Desperate Team Running Out of Time
It is impossible to ignore the elephant in the room: the Browns are still paying for the Deshaun Watson trade. While the front office tried to patch holes in the draft, this is a team with a rapidly closing window. Their offensive line is aging, their skill positions are inconsistent, and their defense—once a strength—is showing cracks.
Cleveland’s draft was headlined by a defensive tackle and a running back—luxury picks for a team that still doesn’t know who will be under center for the long haul. Meanwhile, the Ravens added Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan) in the seventh round as a developmental steal, proving that Baltimore can find value while the Browns reach for need.
The Browns did land Adam Randall (RB, Clemson) in the fifth round, a powerful runner who could complement Nick Chubb. But in a division where the Ravens just drafted a punter (Ryan Eckley, Michigan State) who can flip the field, even special teams advantage tilts toward Baltimore.
Prediction: Cleveland finishes 6-11 and misses the playoffs. The Ravens sweep them for the third consecutive season. The Browns’ front office will face serious questions about the direction of the franchise by December.
Final Analysis: Why the Ravens Still Reign Supreme
When you break down the AFC North after the 2026 NFL Draft, one truth stands out: Baltimore did more with less. While the Bengals and Steelers made splashy picks, the Ravens methodically filled every hole on their roster. They added a starting guard, a rotational edge rusher, three new pass-catchers, and depth at cornerback, tight end, and defensive tackle.
The Ravens also drafted a punter—a move that seems trivial until you realize how often field position decides AFC North games. Ryan Eckley can boom kicks and pin opponents deep, giving Baltimore’s defense a shorter field to defend.
But the real reason the Ravens remain on top is Lamar Jackson. He is the only quarterback in the division who can single-handedly win games with his arm and legs. Until someone in the AFC North proves they can consistently stop him, the throne belongs to Baltimore.
Final AFC North Power Rankings (Post-2026 Draft):
- Baltimore Ravens – 12-5 projection. Super Bowl contender.
- Cincinnati Bengals – 10-7 projection. Wild Card threat.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – 8-9 projection. Still rebuilding.
- Cleveland Browns – 6-11 projection. Running out of answers.
The draft is over. The hype is real. But in the AFC North, the king hasn’t changed. The Ravens are still the team to beat, and the rest of the division knows it. Baltimore leaned into the villain role in Pittsburgh, and they earned every bit of that swagger. Now, it’s time to prove it on the field.
Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.
