2025 Dynasty Division Outlook: AFC North

This year, we’re bringing you an in-depth series covering each NFL division’s dynasty fantasy football outlook, both offense and IDP. We’ll bring you an overview of each team, highlight the best and worst positional groups, and make some predictions for the division as a whole. Let’s jump into it!

Baltimore Ravens

Courtesy of 4for4 Depth Charts.

There was little need for change in Baltimore this offseason. Lamar Jackson put together another MVP-level campaign. Derrick Henry ran all over the league with his new team. Zay Flowers topped 1,000 receiving yards in his second season. It all went to script for the Ravens, a team that often steamrolled defenses given how impossible it is to defend Jackson and Henry at the same time.

Perhaps the most important development was retaining Todd Monken. The Ravens offensive coordinator has helped lift the offense to a new level, finishing first in total offense after 2024 after placing sixth in his debut season. Were he a younger man, Monken would likely be a hot coaching candidate each off-season. As is, he is a perfect fit for a team with a uniquely difficult offense to defend.

While the supporting cast has been elevated, Lamar Jackson remains the engine of this offense. He was sublime this past fall, throwing for a career-high 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns, remarkably tossing only four interceptions along the way. As usual, he was strong on the ground, with 915 rushing yards and four scores added to his totals to create a fantasy monster. He has a strong case to be QB1 in both redraft and dynasty leagues. Behind him, the Ravens added free agent Cooper Rush. Rush plays an entirely different game, but he has established himself as a quality backup, at least keeping the Cowboys afloat in games Dak Prescott has missed.

Derrick Henry – as expected – fit in seamlessly with the Ravens. He nearly crossed the 2,000-yard threshold and added 18 total touchdowns as he dominated near the stripe. Henry is 31 – an age at which we would normally stay far away – but there is ample evidence Henry is just an alien destined to produce big numbers until the end of time. The Ravens agree, having recently signed him to an extension. Riding until the wheels fall off (if they actually do) is likely the best course. Behind him, Justice Hill returns as a long-time Raven who has carved out a role as an effective change-of-pace back and valued special teams player. Keaton Mitchell flashed big tools as a rookie, but a devastating injury he suffered late in 2023 raises the question as to if he will return to form. Second year back Rasheen Ali rounds out the room after touching the ball 10 times as a rookie. Were Henry to go down, this would likely become a committee with Hill as the lead man.

Zay Flowers emerged in year two, posting a 74-1,059-4 season as the Ravens clear number one weapon. Flowers may never post big touchdown totals and can always be a limited part of the game plan as long as Henry is around, but he has established himself as a quality young dynasty asset. Rashod Bateman surprised with nine touchdowns, but remains an inconsistent option. He figures to be maxed out as a complementary receiver. Grizzled veteran DeAndre Hopkins joins the organization, but he looked like a deteriorating player in 2024. He should make some of his usual tough catches, but it is tough to get enthused about him. The same goes for Devontez Walker and Tylan Wallace, two players we were excited about as prospects yet who have not carved out a significant role in the NFL.

Mark Andrews had a nightmare finish to his 2024, with a dropped two-point conversion potentially costing the Ravens a spot in the AFC Championship game. While his year was uneven, he still scored 11 times and settled in after a very slow start. After speculation he could be gone this off-season, he looks likely to return as a starter. His return limits the breakout potential of Isaiah Likely, a player who has teased with some big performances each year. Likely will have his monster games from time to time but remains a dicey play each week when Andrews is in the lineup.

Cincinnati Bengals

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A late surge convinced the Bengals to get the band back together. Big extensions for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins means we can be confident in what this offense has to offer, even if the team as a whole could be enigmatic. With their core intact, this is one of fantasy’s most fruitful offenses.

Joe Burrow was as good as ever in 2024. He played in all 17 games, throwing for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns. He was the rare pocket passer to make a serious fantasy dent, and given the retention of Chase and Higgins, his dynasty ADP of QB5 makes sense, even if he lacks the rushing upside of many of the quarterbacks around him. Jake Browning filled in admirably for an injured Burrow in 2023, and while offensive numbers would fall across the board, we at least have confidence Browning would keep both Chase and Higgins afloat if Burrow missed time. It is really all we can ask for from a backup.

Chase Brown took off in 2024, rewarding those who had faith he was a strong prospect in the 2023 draft out of Illinois. Brown really thrived after Zack Moss was lost to injury, slowly gaining the trust of the staff as he became a true workhorse. Given the Bengals hardly invested anything at the position this offseason, it is clear they trust Brown as their lead man, setting him up for another strong campaign. Zack Moss returns as a backup, but it is tough to see him pushing Brown for many touches given how much more explosive Brown makes this offense. The Bengals also brought back old friend, a player in the Moss mold as a reliable if unspectacular depth back. Sixth-round pick Tahj Brooks could work into the mix, but overall, this depth chart is set up for Brown to dominate touches.

We know what to expect at receiver. Ja’Marr Chase is a dominant receiver. Tee Higgins is a dominant number two who could be a number one for many teams in the league. Burrow will funnel balls their way, as feeding your stars is always a smart strategy. Beyond them, there are plenty of question marks. Jermaine Burton’s rookie season was nothing short of a disaster. Maturity questions from his college days continued to dog him, and he posted only four receptions on 14 targets. There has been some positive buzz this spring, but it is hard to view Burton as much more than an end-of-bunch dynasty stash given what we have seen thus far. Andre Iosivas has had moments, though he looks to best fit as a niche weapon. This is a two-man show, and tickets are well worth buying.

We know who Mike Gesicki is at this point. He is far from a complete tight end but can provide value as a big slot who creates mismatches in space. The Bengals knew this and employed him as such in 2024, with the former Dolphin posting some big games, mostly when Tee Higgins was unavailable. The team brought Gesicki back with a new deal, indicating they value his contributions. It is fairly simple here: Gesicki has streaming value if either of the top two receivers are out. Erick All showed a lot of promise as a rookie – and would have had a good amount of year two hype – yet a devastating injury curtailed his 2024. It looks unlikely he will play in 2025, relegating him to IR stash in deep dynasty leagues.

Cleveland Browns

Courtesy of 4for4 Depth Charts.

Say what you will of this depth chart: it is not boring. The Browns are fascinating in a morbidly curious way.

Who starts for the Browns at quarterback is one of our time’s greatest mysteries. Joe Flacco had a magical run with the team late in 2023, but looked fairly well cooked in Indianapolis last year. Kenny Pickett has starting experience and was an offseason acquisition via trade, but he is truly capped as a backup. Shedeur Sanders will be drafted the highest in dynasty leagues, but his fall to the fifth round is concerning for his long-term value. Dillon Gabriel looks like a career backup, despite going late in round three. It is highly likely the future starter of this team is not on the roster, and we have not even gotten into Deshaun Watson yet. What a mess.

The Browns remade their backfield in April’s draft. In round two, they landed Quinshon Judkins. In round four, they complemented him with Dylan Sampson. While some still have time for Jerome Ford, this should be Judkins’ backfield before long with the explosive Sampson competing for backup duties with Ford. The Browns figure to be run-heavy, setting Judkins up for success out of the gates.

Jerry Jeudy had a great 2024, finishing sixth in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,229. He had some big moments with Jameis Winston – who is no longer on the team – and it is very likely last year will stand as his career best. He is unlikely to reach the heights of 2024 again this fall, but he is a heavy favorite to lead the Browns in targets this year and is still only 26. Cedric Tillman also had some great moments with Winston last year. He is more of a prototypical perimeter receiver, and figures to be a valuable receiver for Cleveland if he can stay healthy. Unfortunately, it is tough to see the Browns supporting two wide receivers in the fantasy game. He is more a long-term play. The team also took a flyer on Diontae Johnson, though as a declining player who becomes more a headache by the year, it is tough to see him sticking in any capacity.

David Njoku is a staple of the Cleveland offense and always provides a nice draft day value. He runs into the same issue as all other Cleveland pass catchers; are we going to be able to trust anyone in this passing game? The team has an out on Njoku after the 2025 season and may exercise it depending on what we see from rookie Harold Fannin Jr. Fannin was immensely productive in college and secured day two draft capital. He likely needs time to get acclimated, but he could be a fantasy factor as soon as 2026.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Courtesy of 4for4 Depth Charts.

Mason Rudolph. Skylar Thompson. Will Howard. The Steelers seem to be putting all their eggs in the Aaron Rodgers basket, as none of these players are starter material. If Rodgers balks at joining Pittsburgh, perhaps the team moves on to a Kirk Cousins trade. In any event, there is little value here as currently constructed, even in superflex leagues. This depth chart is an eyesore.

The Steelers let Najee Harris walk and bring in third-round rookie Kaleb Johnson to replace him. Johnson was viewed as scheme-dependent, yet his skills match what Arthur Smith wants to do. This is a cozy landing spot and helps Johnson flirt with the first round of rookie drafts. The team has never seemed to trust Jaylen Warren with a full-time workload, but he has done a solid job as a secondary runner. The issue seems to be how Arthur Smith views him, as Warren never really pushed a pedestrian Harris in the backfield. Johnson is the long-term play in this backfield and could well be more valuable by the time August redraft season rolls around. Warren remains on the flex radar in all formats.

The George Pickens trade leaves the Steelers paper thin at receiver. DK Metcalf was their big off-season move and is locked into Pittsburgh long-term. Metcalf is an obviously good receiver, but he is far from quarterback-proof. He must hope the Steelers plan at quarterback – whatever it may be – comes together soon. His talent keeps him in the WR2 range in dynasty leagues. Beyond him is niche player Calvin Austin, second-year receiver Roman Wilson (who essentially redshirted last year due to injury) and the geriatric Robert Woods. The plus for Metcalf could be initial volume, as this room is bleak.

Pat Freiermuth could well be the second option in this passing attack. This is a sobering development for the team, as Freiermuth is a solid yet not dynamic option. He is a patchwork option at starter for dynasty teams, and anyone leaning on him should be looking for an upgrade. Darnell Washington can earn snaps due to his block prowess, yet is never going to be a big-time target earner. The Steelers may run the ball 800 times this year.

Positional Group Rankings:

Quarterbacks:

1. Bengals: A
2. Ravens: A
3. Browns: D
4. Steelers: F

Both the Ravens and Bengals have MVP-caliber quarterbacks right smack dab in the middle of their prime. Beyond Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, each team also has viable backups. There are very few teams that can boast they have this talent in their quarterback room.

The Browns at least have theoretical upside with Shedeur Sanders, whose draft day slide was likely about more than just football skill. This is still an awkward group, but you can see them coaxing serviceable play out of someone here.

It is late May, so the Steelers may have some moves up their sleeve. As is, however, this is not a serious group. Even acknowledging the rest of the roster has talent, this could be Mike Tomlin’s worst team if they roll with one of these options.

Running Backs:

1. Ravens: A-
2. Bengals: B
3. Browns: B-
4. Steelers: B-

Derrick Henry is a future Hall of Famer still at the height of his powers. He fits perfectly with Baltimore and the Ravens have enough behind him to keep rolling even if Henry misses time.

Chase Brown’s ascent to the feature back role has the Bengals looking solid in the backfield. Zack Moss and Samaje Perine provide stable skillsets behind him and Tahj Brooks may have gone much higher in a less loaded class. The Bengals can feel comfortable with this group.

The Browns’ new look backfield is obviously unproven, yet possesses immense upside. They could rise significantly by this time next year. Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren have skill sets that could complement each other very well. The Steelers look likely to lean on these two to move the football given the way their depth chart is shaking out.

Wide Receivers:

1. Bengals: A+
2. Ravens: B-
3. Browns: C
4. Steelers: C-

Chase and Higgins are an elite pair. No notes. Even without an established weapon behind them, this unit is among the league’s best and they have two WR1s. Flowers is a solid player, and Rashod Bateman is an above-average starter, even if he has never lived up to his first-round billing. The Ravens have taken a lot of swings at receiver and seem to have finally found the right balance.

Jerry Jeudy is an adequate if unspectacular top target. Cedric Tillman has had flashes yet never has been a consistent performer. This group is fairly average, and an injury to either of these top two could put this offense in a real bind. DK Metcalf is arguably the division’s third-best receiver, but he cannot carry this offense by himself. The development of Roman Wilson will be crucial if the Steelers are to produce a capable passing offense.

Tight Ends:

1. Ravens: B+
2. Browns: B
3. Steelers: C+
4. Bengals: C

Mark Andrews looks like he may have lost a step, but he can still be a red zone asset and a checkdown target for Lamar Jackson. Isaiah Likely is the more explosive option at this point in their respective careers, but the Ravens have never been interested in having him usurp Andrews in the pecking order. Still, this duo works well together.

I have always had a soft spot for David Njoku. He has his drop issues yet can be a critical part of a passing offense. If Harold Fannin Jr. is what the Browns hope he is, this duo could give Cleveland one of the best tight end groups.

Pat Freiermuth is a solid starter and while Darnell Washington is not a fantasy asset, he is a valuable NFL player. This a meat and potatoes duo who could see a lot of playing time in 2025 due to the Steelers limited options out wide. Mike Gesicki and crew are not going to be featured pieces in the Bengals offense as long as they have a full complement of weapons, but they should get the job done.

Divisional Predictions:

MVP: Ja’Marr Chase, WR CIN

There is no reason to get cute in this division. The fantasy MVP is almost assuredly going to come from one of this division’s stars. The lean here is Chase, who dominated in 2024 and now has his long-term security. The talent and situation are unmatched, making Chase the division’s top dog.

LVP: DK Metcalf, WR PIT

This is solely due to the environment, as even Metcalf’s relatively modest ADP of WR25 feels too rich when looking at who is under center. He could be a high-volume, low-efficiency receiver with limited touchdown equity. For Metcalf’s sake, I hope the team improves at quarterback, as this could otherwise be a lost year.

Most Improved: Cedric Tillman, WR CLE

Tillman’s path to improvement is likely predicated on health, as he was in and out of the lineup last year and entered the NFL with some durability concerns. If he can play a full season, the Browns need for playmakers could lead to him crushing his WR64 ADP.

Biggest Steal: Kaleb Johnson, RB PIT

I am not just trying to say something nice about this Pittsburgh offense. The Steelers have invested in their offensive line in recent years and should be ready to see the rewards for their high draft selections. Johnson has the tools to be a highly efficient runner in Arthur Smith’s offense and should be considered a favorite to lead this backfield in touches. He could find his way into the RB2 ranks on a weekly basis as he establishes himself as a strong dynasty prospect at running back.

Biggest Bust: Jerry Jeudy, WR CLE

Jeudy’s ADP is reasonable at WR30, but the Browns offense has more mouths to feed, and it is tough to see him approaching his 145 targets from last year. With touchdowns likely to be few and far between, Jeudy could be a completely replaceable fantasy asset.

Wait For It: Harold Fannin Jr, TE CLE

A historically productive collegiate tight end, Harold Fannin Jr. joins a Cleveland offense which looks ready to undergo a full youth movement. The Browns could wiggle out of David Njoku’s contract come 2025, and in 2026 Fannin will be just 21 years of age and with a full year in the Browns’ system. A receiver first and foremost, Fannin could be a featured piece of the offense and a trendy breakout pick in August of next year.