AFC North skill position power rankings after NFL roster cuts

The AFC North is filled with talent. There are current Pro Bowlers and All-Pros scattered throughout the division. Future stars are waiting in the winds, ready for their chance at NFL stardom.

This division used to be (but still kinda is) built on defense and toughness. I'm talking Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs vs. Troy Palomalu, James Harrison, and James Farrior. Today, this division still possesses stout defenses, but the offenses have evolved.

The NFL has clearly shifted toward a more pass-oriented and high-scoring style of play. The primary goal is to outscore the opposing team, and both the NFL and its fans prefer to see as many points scored in a game as possible. This is where the skill position players come into focus.

Ahead of the 2024 NFL regular season, let's take a look at where each AFC North team stands regarding their skill position groups. The post-preseason AFC North power rankings can be found here.

AFC North skill position power rankings after NFL roster cuts

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers come in last place to start the season. That might come as a bit of a surprise. After all, the team rosters star-bound wide receiver George Pickens, do-it-all running back Najee Harris, and solid tight end Pat Freiermuth. However, outside of the three, the roster is pretty bland. Of the three, Pickens is the only true game-changer.

Harris is a career 3.9 yard-per-carry back and Freiermuth is a good-not-great receiving tight end. Rounding out the group are veteran wide receiver Van Jefferson, second-year receiver Calvin Austin, and third-year running back Jaylen Warren. That's a lot of unproven and uninspiring talent. The Steelers dealt wide receiver Diontae Jonhson to the Panthers this offseason. It's for sure a move that pushed this group back in the rankings.

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens find themselves ranked third in the division. They have talent, but it's relatively unproven in comparison to the top two teams in the division. Derrick Henry is a monster and he will run over anyone and everyone. Mark Andrews is a great receiving threat out of the tight end position. Zay Flowers is an exciting young wide receiver. That's a solid trio, but outside of those three, the waters get murky.

Will this be the year Rashod Bateman pulls through? Who is going to step up alongside Flowers as a reliable receiver? Agholor has been in the NFL nine seasons and has just over 4,600 receiving yards to his name. Bateman has not lived up to the billings of a first-round pick through three seasons and Justice Hill is a fine backup running back. This group has potential, but it's just not there yet.

2. Cleveland Browns

I wanted to put the Ravens ahead of the Browns, I really did. But is Flowers better than Amari Cooper? Is Derrick Henry outright better than Nick Chubb? Mark Andrews is better than David Njoku, but is it enough to offset the rest of the scale? Ultimately, no. Cooper is a consistent 1,000-yard receiver, Chubb (when healthy) is a top-five back in the league, and Njoku is a breakout tight end candidate this season.

The scales tip in the favor of the Browns when you look at the remaining pieces. No, Jerry Jeudy did not work out in Denver, but as a WR2 in Cleveland, he'll have opportunity. Elijah Moore is a very good WR3. Jerome Ford is a very solid backup running back. The depth the Browns have pushed them into the upper half of the division and it will be on the Steelers and Ravens to put in the work to catch them.

One thing the Steelers, Ravens, and Browns have in common is to claim the top spot in the division rankings, they will need to add serious firepower.

1. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals lost Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon this offseason and still sit atop the division with the best-skill position group. A large part has to do with rostering a top-five wide receiver alongside a fringe top-25 receiver in Tee Higgins. The offseason addition of Mike Gesicki helps move the needle, but only by a smidge.

Chase and Higgins are flanked by second-year receiver Andrei Iosivas and rookie receiver Jermaine Burton. Both have immense potential and could be difference-makers this coming season. Zack Moss and Chase Brown will be the running backs by committee and will look to replace Mixon's production. Until another team in the AFC North fields a receiver pair on par with Chase and Higgins, the top spot is relatively safe.