The AFC North is primed to be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL once again. There are some big questions leading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Some of those were answered, while there are some questions still up in the air, primary quarterback situations in Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
Two teams that don’t have questions at quarterback are the defending AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals. Can the Bengals build on defense to compliment Joe Burrow and the offense? Can the Ravens find the right pieces to get them over the hump?
In Pittsburgh, are the Steelers ramping up for Aaron Rodgers after a big offseason trade for DK Metcalf?
With a loaded quarterback room, did the Browns do enough in the draft to be competitive in the division?
AFC North draft class rankings based on needs and value
Here is a ranking of the draft classes highlighting draft selections that stand out for each team.
No. 1 - Cleveland Browns: Will a quarterback rise in Ohio?
The Browns had a tremendous draft by finding players in key positions who can help the team be competitive in 2025, positioning themselves with two first round picks in 2026 and still drafting the quarterback many pre-draft predictions had going in the top 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Shedeur Sanders will bring the big storylines, but the Browns have other draft picks who will bring the hype.
- Top Pick: In a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Browns moved down to No. 5 and selected Michigan’s Mason Graham. The top defensive interior lineman entering the draft, Graham brings a high motor and versatility to a Browns’ defensive line led by Myles Garrett. This duo will be fun to watch in Cleveland as the Browns get more aggressive in the trenches with this pick.
- Surprise Pick: The selection of Dillon Gabriel with the No. 94 overall pick was the head scratcher in an otherwise strong draft for the Browns. The reason is not due to the player, it’s because they ended up taking Sanders in the fifth round. While there is nothing wrong with drafting two quarterbacks (perhaps wise for a team with no clear starter). The surprise is taking Gabriel two rounds ahead of Sanders. Maybe this will work out in the Browns favor with a motivated Sanders looking to make a statement and prove doubters wrong.
- Favorite Pick: The Browns had a couple of players selected on Day 2 who should excite the fanbase, but the best fit is Quinshon Judkins taking with the No. 36 overall pick in the draft. The Ohio State product is a physical runner with big-play explosiveness. He will look good in a Browns’ uniform and might mean Nick Chubb days in Cleveland is over.
- A potential steal of the draft: There’s no doubt Sanders as a fifth -round pick is a potential steal of the draft for the Browns. The Browns have two first round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft as collateral, but if Sanders is motivated and wins the job, this draft may go down as a major heist by this AFC North squad.
No. 2 - Pittsburgh Steelers: More defensive heat and a power back
The Steelers entered the 2025 NFL Draft in need of a quarterback but took care of other needs in the first few rounds of the draft. Whether or not Aaron Rodgers is walking through that door as the starter in 2025, the Steelers are making sure they have a strong team surrounding whoever the signal caller is.
- Top Pick: The Steelers passed on an opportunity to draft either Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart by selecting defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the No. 21 overall pick in the draft. With the future of Cameron Heyward up in the air, the selection of Harmon adds youth at the position and gives the Steelers another player who can get after the quarterback. In this division, getting to the QB while also being tough against the run are key focuses. Harmon is solid to elite in both areas.
- Surprise Pick: The Steelers finally took a quarterback in the sixth round with the selection of Ohio State’s Will Howard. The player is not the surprise here, it’s that the Steelers waited until Day 3 to take a QB. That could have more to say about the draft class or perhaps the Steelers know Rodgers will be their QB in 2025. If that is the case, Howard would be in a good situation to develop.
- Favorite Pick: Third-round pick Kaleb Johnson looked good in black and gold in collage and he’ll look even better in black and gold in the NFL. With Najee Harris moving on, Johnson was the perfect pick for the Steelers. As one of the top performing running backs in 2024, Johnson brings a downhill running attack and ball security to the running back group.
- A potential steal of the draft: Jack Sawyer in the fourth round is a steal for a team that didn’t really need an edge rusher. A player who sniffs out big plays on defense, Sawyer will benefit playing with the likes of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Maybe drafting Sawyer was a little security if the contract situation with Watt gets too messy.
No. 3 - Baltimore Ravens: More value and impact
The Ravens fell short in the NFL playoffs once again. They entered the 2025 NFL Draft looking to get younger at some key positions and fill the holes necessary to make another deep playoff run. Did they find value in the draft to get them there?
- Top Pick: The Ravens got themselves a player in Malaki Starks with the No. 27 overall pick in the draft. A versatile defender at Georgia, Starks is a player custom made for the Ravens. With an ability to play safety or slot corner, the Ravens 2025 NFL first-round pick allows the secondary to mask different disguises defensively as he is also a player who can play close to the line.
- Surprise Pick: The fact that Mike Green was available at No. 59 was the surprise, although understandable given his off-the field issues. A high-impact pass rusher, Green will bring youth and athleticism off the edge. The first two picks of the draft could rank the Ravens draft class higher within the division if Green’s off-the-field issue is resolved, and he can focus on football.
- Favorite Pick: Fourth-round pick Teddye Buchanan is one of those value picks the Ravens have been known for. An inside linebacker out of California, Buchanan will further add depth at the inside linebacker position and find a way to make an impact on defense and on special teams with the Ravens.
- A potential steal of the draft: The Ravens also entered the draft with offensive line needs. They addressed those needs taking three offensive linemen in the draft. The first one taken, Emory Jones Jr, can turn out to be a steal taken the end of Day 2. As a strong run-blocking offensive lineman with positional versatility, Jones can flourish on a team with a versatile quarterback like Lamar Jackson and a strong running game led by Derrick Henry.
No. 4- Cincinnati Bengals: Reinforcements on defense
The Bengals didn’t have a bad draft at all, just ranked fourth within the division. With locking up both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals did what they needed to do to make Joe Burrow happy. They entered the 2025 NFL Draft needing to fill holes defensively and they did that.
- Top Pick: The Bengals needed to add a pass rusher to the mix, and they did that with Shemar Stewart with the No. 17 overall pick in the draft. Most mock drafts had Mike Green at this spot, but Stewart is no slouch. If the Bengals find a way to address Trey Hendrickson’s contract and keep him with the team, they will have a high-powered attack at both sides of the line with Hendrickson and Stewart.
- Surprise Pick: The Bengals drafted a linebacker in the second round with the selection of Demetrius Knight Jr. So, it was a bit of a surprise that they selected another two rounds later by selecting Clemson product Barrett Carter. A player who could end up as a Day 2 steal, Carter is a versatile linebacker who can make an impact in pass defense.
- Favorite Pick: Any offensive lineman out of Georgia is a good player to draft. The Bengals have added one in guard Dylan Fairchild who will rejoins his Georgia teammate Amarius Mims on the Bengals offensive line. With attention set to protecting Burrow, the addition of Fairchild at guard, perhaps left guard playing next to Mims will protect the star QB’s blind side for years to come.
- A potential steal of the draft: This could be Barrett as mentioned above, but Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks could become another weapon for Burrow with his pass-catching ability. He’s also not too shabby running the ball as he rushed for over 1500 yards the last two seasons at Texas Tech. As far as pass-catching, he caught 28 passes for 199 yards. He was drafted to add depth, but he may be much more than that by midseason.