Ranking the Browns against every AFC North roster in 7 key categories

The 2026 NFL season is officially here, and before teams can punch their tickets to the playoffs and push for a Super Bowl, they must first conquer their divisions. For the Cleveland Browns, that division is the AFC North — one of the most competitive groups in the NFL.

Three of the four teams in the division enter the season with Super Bowl or bust expectations. Those three teams are the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland, on the other hand, is projected to be one of the worst teams in the league again.

Ultimately, that will all be decided on the field over the course of the 18-week regular season. However, each roster can be assessed to see how these division rivals stack up against each other.

Where Browns rank amongst AFC North rivals heading into 2026 season

Quarterback rooms

Unfortunately for Cleveland, being at the bottom of this category was a no-brainer. Many analysts have spent the offseason declaring that the Browns actually have the worst quarterback room in the entire league, so it makes sense that the group is at the bottom of the AFC North.

Cleveland’s Week 1 starter is Deshaun Watson, and everyone is already counting down to the moment he will be benched. Watson hasn’t played consistently good football since 2020, and he hasn’t given people any reason to believe that will change.

If he struggles, as predicted, he will be replaced by Shedeur Sanders. The second-year QB is a polarizing, intriguing player, and he’ll have to prove a lot to change Cleveland’s ranking.

Meanwhile, the Ravens have arguably the best quarterback in football in Lamar Jackson, the Bengals have a top-five QB in Joe Burrow, and the Steelers have the all-time great Aaron Rodgers, who finds ways to be productive despite not being in his prime.

Running back rooms

It feels unfair to put Cleveland last, because it has a young, talented running back room that could quickly shake up this ranking. Quinshon Judkins, in 14 games as a rookie, showed phenomenal potential with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 26 receptions for 171 receiving yards.

Throw in the explosive Dylan Sampson, who flashed dynamic ability as a pass catcher, and it’s easy to see how they could soon establish themselves as a top duo in the NFL.

They haven’t done it yet, so the Browns’ running back room has to defer to Derrick Henry and the Ravens, a Steelers backfield with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, and a Bengals backfield led by Chase Brown.

Pass catchers

Like the running back room, this is another category that Cleveland could be surging up soon. With Browns’ tight end Harold Fannin Jr. entering year two after a record-breaking season, he’ll now be joined by rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. They have certainly given Browns fans promise that the passing game will move in the right direction.

The young group has its work cut out for them, though, as they share a division with some elite pass catchers. The Bengals are, of course, still at the top with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and Baltimore has Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and some promising rookies. The Steelers also have a nice trio of DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and Pat Freiermuth.

Offensive lines

This is an unstable ranking, because all four offensive lines will have to prove themselves in 2026. Cleveland was abysmal up front in 2025, and that’s why they have new starters at all five spots, with four of those spots being occupied by players who weren’t on the Browns last year. Their level will be proven this season.

Baltimore is in a similar spot after making a couple of changes to what was an underwhelming line a year ago, and Cincinnati is hoping to build on a decent season, after being abysmal for years prior. Entering the year, it has to be the Steelers who are most comfortable with their offensive line.

Defensive fronts

The defensive side is the saving grace for Cleveland, and that starts with their top-ranked defensive front. Taking into account defensive linemen and linebackers, the Browns still have the top group in the division, even without Myles Garrett.

Cleveland’s front has Jared Verse, Mason Graham, Maliek Collins, 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, and Quincy Williams.

The Steelers definitely have a case with their pass-rushing trio of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, as well as Cameron Heyward on the interior. Baltimore’s front should be back in the mix as well with the addition of Trey Hendrickson, and getting Nnamdi Madubuike back from injury.

Secondaries

This is another strength of Cleveland’s. The Browns have arguably the best corner in football with Denzel Ward, and he has a credible running mate in Tyson Campbell. At safety, Cleveland is also set with Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, and promising rookie Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. While the unit has some valid depth concerns, the starters are among the best in the league.

The Steelers have a pretty good secondary, led by Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey. Baltimore also has the pieces to be a good unit, and even the Bengals showed signs of improvement last season. However, they’re all chasing the Browns.

Coaches

This ranking is a bit unfair, because it’s premature. Both Cleveland and Baltimore have first-year head coaches with very promising outlooks, and they could prove to be significant difference makers. Todd Monken could get the Browns offense rolling, and Jesse Minter is expected to get the Ravens defense back on track.

Until the two prove it, they can’t leap Bengals coach Zac Taylor, and new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, who has years of success in the NFL.

Overall rankings

With all seven categories tallied, it’s the Steelers who sit atop the overall standings (the fewer points the better). To be clear, this shouldn’t necessarily be viewed that Pittsburgh is the best team in the division, or that the team is likely to win the AFC North.

What it really says is that the Steelers have the least unknowns when deconstructing the rosters. Still, everyone will have to prove it on the field this season.

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