New rookie talents joining the AFC North may significantly reshape the division in 2026. With NFL Draft picks anticipated to strengthen the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Mocks projects forward to the 2027 NFL Draft, highlighting a deep pool of talent at a key position.
Fans of AFC North teams know what Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow bring to the table when healthy, so the Ravens and Bengals are expected to be back at the top of the heap in the division. But the QB question marks in both Cleveland and Pittsburgh will be storylines to watch throughout the upcoming 2026 season.
If Aaron Rodgers has another elite-caliber season in him and if either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders can solve Cleveland’s needs, the division will be a dogfight between all four teams.
Browns, Steelers facing massive pressure to solve QB futures
If those QB situations remain unstable, the 2027 NFL Draft becomes very intriguing with the depth of talent at the position. With draft order determined by current Super Bowl odds, here is an early look at top targets for each AFC North team.
No. 5 Cleveland Browns: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
With the talent on both sides of the ball the Browns have accumulated over the past two drafts, if they are selecting in the top 5 again, it will be due to continued inconsistent play at quarterback. That will mean Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel weren’t able to hold it down at the position. This leads to the Browns selecting Dante Moore with the No. 5 overall pick in the draft.
Moore, who was projected as a top 5 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, finds an excellent opportunity with the Browns. Surrounded by skilled playmakers, his strong pocket presence and precise deep throws give Cleveland the quarterback they've been seeking.
No. 13 Pittsburgh Steelers: CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
The fourth QB off the board lands in Pittsburgh as the Steelers select Notre Dame’s CJ Carr with the 13th overall pick in the draft. With Aaron Rodgers making it official he will not play beyond the 2026 NFL season, the Steelers add another young QB talent to the mix to compete with 2025 draft pick Will Howard and 2026 draft pick Drew Allar. An early Heisman Trophy front-runner, Carr has the highest ceiling of the three due to his poise, pocket execution and deep ball arm talent.
No. 21 Cincinnati Bengals: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
The Bengals continue to add talent in their secondary in taking Mississippi State standout Kelley Jones. At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, Jones is a big boundary corner who excels at limiting receptions. With some of the big receivers in the AFC North, Jones will be a big pickup for the Bengals as their potential lockdown corner of the future.
No. 31 Baltimore Ravens: Mark Fletcher Jr., RB, Miami (FL)
The Ravens select Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami Hurricanes' standout running back, as their next power back. Fletcher combines speed and strength, making him an ideal long-term successor to Derrick Henry. In 2025, he rushed for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns, also adding 140 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 catches.
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