The top talent entering the AFC North following the 2026 NFL Draft are not the only rookies rival teams will have to worry about. There is a lot of talent beyond the first round who could make major impacts for their teams in the 2026 NFL season.
While the division took a step back in 2025, it will bounce back to its competitive nature in 2026, and it will be due to the draft classes of the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.Â
Quarterback play will have a lot to do with it with a healthy Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow back under center for their respective teams. If Aaron Rodgers and either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders play at high levels, the winner of this division could come down to who they selected in the draft beyond the first round.
These rookie steals could reshape the AFC North
Here are the rookie rivals AFC North teams need to watch out for.
Baltimore Ravens: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana (No. 115 overall)
The Ravens have an intriguing 2026 NFL Draft. With their top two picks, Olaivavega Ioane and Zion Young, expected to step in and make an impact Day 1, the rest of the draft class has potential to make a splash immediately as well.
One player who comes to mind is Elijah Sarratt who was selected 115th overall. As one of the top targets for Fernando Mendoza in Indiana’s National Championship run, Sarratt stood out as a clutch, possession type receiver who will fulfill that physical Z receiver option in the Ravens’ offense for Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore does have speed on the outside with Zay Flowers, Devontez Walker and 2026 third-round pick Jacobi Lane. That will leave room for Sarratt to do what he does as a big slot type receiver who is physical in his routes and has no problem getting dirty as a blocker in the run game. In all, a typical Ravens type player who will make his name known quickly in the AFC North.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tacario Davis, CB, Washington (No. 72 overall)
The Bengals didn’t have a first-round pick due to the Dexter Lawrence II trade, but they still had a solid draft selecting players in key areas of need who should help immediately. One of those players is former Washington cornerback Tacario Davis.
Davis, selected 72nd overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, has the size and physicality to develop into a top Bengals cornerback and defensive back in the AFC North. His attributes make him a strong matchup against receivers, and with Cam Taylor-Britt and Marco Wilson gone, the Bengals need someone to fill the role.
Davis has a perfect opportunity to be that big, physical boundary corner they are looking for. If he emerges, the rest of the AFC North is going to feel the shutdown corner ability he can bring.
Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (No. 39 overall)
The Browns had another strong draft on paper. In selecting tackle Spencer Fano with their top pick and adding KC Concepcion at the wide receiver position with their second first-round selection, Cleveland addressed key areas of need immediately.Â
The Browns addressed their need for a large, physical target by selecting Denzel Boston with the 39th pick in the draft. Boston falling to Cleveland early in Day 2 felt like an extra first-round addition for the Browns.
Boston, a sizable and robust receiver who demonstrated remarkable performance during his breakout season in 2025, had been forecasted as a Day 1 pick. Falling to the Browns early in Day 2, he enters the league without excessive pressure, as he will have the opportunity to develop at his own pace while Concepcion receives most of the attention. Look for Boston to be a tough matchup for rival defenses in the AFC North for years to come.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Gennings Dunker, OG, Iowa (No. 96 overall)
The Steelers addressed their needs along the offensive line by taking Max Iheanachor with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Arizona State product will be a big upgrade on the line, but the player to really watch is third-round pick Gennings Dunker who looks like the picture-perfect Steelers offensive lineman.
At 6-foot-5 and 319 pounds, Dunker brings impressive strength to his role as an offensive lineman, capable of playing both guard and tackle. His versatility and power enable him to hold off pass rushers, providing stability to the Steelers’ interior offensive line. Given the team's emphasis on running the ball, Dunker's hard-hitting style is well-suited for the AFC North.
With Aaron Rodgers back another season, the Steelers have beefed up the offensive line in a big way with Iheanachor at tackle and Dunker bringing his blue-collar style of play to the Steel City.
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