2026 NFL Mock Draft, AFC North: Biggest Needs for Browns, Bengals, Ravens, Steelers

A week ago, we took a deep dive into the AFC East, projecting top prospects each club might be targeting in the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

This week, we shift our focus to the AFC North, where, with all due respect to the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are perhaps the most intriguing teams for next spring’s draft. The Browns, naturally, are positioning themselves again to "earn" a top-10 selection — something the club has done eight of the past 12 times in which they’ve owned a first-round pick – while the Steelers are almost surely looking for a young quarterback.  

Here are early projections for the entire division's selections on Days 1 and 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

First round, No. 3 overall pick: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Browns face a fascinating decision in the 2026 NFL draft. Unless Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel plays well down the stretch, the club will have little choice but to consider using their top choice on a QB, even with Deshaun Watson slated to use up a staggering $80 million in Cleveland’s cap space. Frankly, it doesn’t matter who the Browns have at quarterback with their current receiving corps. While I don’t personally view any receiver in this draft class as worthy of a top-five selection, Tyson is considered by most to be the top pass-catcher. Tyson — who played for a year with Sanders at Colorado prior to transferring to Arizona State — possesses the suddenness and savvy to eat up man coverage. His prototypical size, agility and sticky hands would give the Browns the legitimate No. 1 target this club has been lacking for years. 

First round, No. 20 overall pick (from Jaguars): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

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