In a division filled with star quarterbacks and explosive receivers, teams in the AFC North need to have some solid play from the cornerback position.
Entering the 2026 season, it appears that all four teams have a true No. 1 corner to build around. Cleveland’s Denzel Ward remains the top dog with the Browns, though that could be subject to change after the Myles Garrett trade, while Marlon Humphrey remains in Baltimore.
Cincinnati’s DJ Turner took a significant step forward last season and appears poised for big things ahead, while Joey Porter Jr. is in line for a huge extension in Pittsburgh and has the look of a true lockdown No. 1 with size and length.
You need more than just one corner, though, and teams in the AFC North built towards that this offseason, adding some key veterans while continuing to develop young pieces and investing in the draft.
How does the division shake out at the cornerback position in 2026 in the Ranking The Rooms series here at Steelers Depot? Let’s take a look.
1. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Though Marlon Humphrey’s play has dropped off slightly in recent years, he remains a legitimate No. 1 corner in the Ravens’ defense. He had four interceptions last season, yet wasn’t voted to the Pro Bowl or All-Pro accolades one year after being first-team All-Pro in 2024.
He’s still a physical corner with great ball skills, and now he has help around him that continues to take steps forward. Nate Wiggins was a solid piece opposite him last season, generating three interceptions in more than 1,000 snaps. Though quarterbacks completed nearly 60% of the passes with him in coverage, Wiggins showed good ball skills and is an ascending player.
Depth is very good here, too. Chidobe Awuzie is back for 2026, and though his season ended on a low note, getting beaten by former Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III for the game-winning TD, he has great experience and can play all over. T.J. Tampa has another year of development under his belt and is an intriguing piece with his length and physicality, while veteran Amani Oruwariye enters the fold, too, giving the Ravens a real boost in depth.
Young pieces are very enticing here, though, with rookie Chandler Rivers, who was a major steal in the draft. Rookie undrafted free agent Lardarius Webb Jr. will compete for a spot, too, with the team his Dad once called home. Rookie UDFA Matthew McDoom is a name to watch, too. He is a solid outside corner who had great production in college at Coastal Carolina and Cincinnati.
Second-year pros Robert Longerbeam, Bilhal Kone, and Keyon Martin will compete for a roster spot, too. The Ravens are pretty deep here and should make for a fascinating training camp at the position.
2. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The rise that Joey Porter Jr. is on entering 2026 is very exciting. He took a major step forward last season, cleaning up penalties as a physical cornerback and disrupting receivers’ timing, leading to more plays made.
Entering Year 4, he’s the No. 1 CB on the roster. There is no debate. The only real question with Porter at this point is how much money he’ll get on his extension this summer. He’s earned every penny and looks like the next great Steelers defender.
Opposite him, the Steelers did a great job this offseason, signing Jamel Dean in free agency. He plays a similar game to Porter, so the Steelers now have two long, physical corners that can shut down the passing game. Dean was a real bargain, and there is great excitement around him in 2026.
The Steelers also did well to re-sign Asante Samuel Jr., improving depth at the position. Samuel stepped in late last year and had some good moments, so there is hope under a new defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, that he’ll improve.
Drafting Georgia’s Daylen Everette in the third round was an exciting move for the Steelers, too, adding another long, physical cornerback to the room. He’s had a great start to the offseason with the Steelers, and there is a lot of excitement around his potential moving forward.
Veteran Brandin Echols returns as the dependable slot guy and special teams piece. He stepped up in a big way last season and earned a lot of praise in the locker room.
Behind those five names, there are some concerns. The Steelers will have D’Shawn Jamison and Donte Kent battle it out for a possible slot and special teams role, while Deniko Slaughter has good size and could turn some heads in the preseason. Undrafted free agents Devan Boykin and Tamon Lynum will battle it out for a practice squad role.
3. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Having Denzel Ward as the No. 1 is a great starting point for the Browns. He remains an elite cover corner, even if he doesn’t get much of the recognition he deserves. Ward had just one interception last season, but he earned another Pro Bowl nod, continuing to build upon his strong resume.
Tyson Campbell will get a full season as his running mate at cornerback. Campbell was a great fit in former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s scheme, but now with Schwartz moving on, there are questions about Campbell. He’s had an up-and-down career.
Behind the two veterans, depth is a concern.
Trey Avery, Myles Harden, De’Angelo Ross, and Myles Bryant are the top options for the Browns. Ross and Bryant project as slot corners only, though, which is a bit concerning. While Harden and Avery have good size, they haven’t had much run on the outside. Dom Jones returns for Year 2, too, and has great size and length, making him a name to watch in training camp.
Rookie undrafted free agents Michael Coats Jr. and Nate Evans will battle for a practice squad role.
This group goes as Ward goes. Assuming he’s still on the roster come the start of the season, the Browns should feel good about where they’re at in the cornerbacks room — for now.
4. CINCINNATI BENGALS
DJ Turner had a heck of a 2025 season, becoming the No. 1 corner the Bengals could build the secondary around. He held quarterbacks to under 50% completion percentage last season, had two interceptions and had 13 passes defensed, according to PFF. He still has some size concerns, but he played very well last season and looks to be an ascending talent.
Opposite him, the Bengals have some questions. Dax Hill was the primary No. 2 CB for the Bengals, but teams picked on him. He allowed nearly 70% completion percentage and gave up four touchdowns. He’s a decent depth piece, but as a starter, he’s a liability.
The Bengals tried to address CB2 with the selection of Washington’s Tacario Davis in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s a long, physical cornerback that fits the mold of an AFC North corner. The Steelers showed a lot of interest in Davis, so it’s fitting he winds up in the AFC North with the Bengals. I expect him to be the starter opposite Turner by the end of the season.
Josh Newton and Ja’Sir Taylor will compete for a role defensively. Newton has had some good moments in his first two seasons, but he’s inconsistent. Taylor is a special-teams ace who can play all over the secondary.
Undrafted free agent Ceyair Wright is a guy who turned some heads at the Shrine Bowl and is a name to watch in training camp. Good ball skills, sticky in coverage, but has some speed concerns. Veteran DJ Ivey is back as a special teams piece, while younger pieces in Jalen Kimber, Bralyn Lux, and Jalen Davis will battle for a practice squad role.
2025 AFC North CB rankings:
No. 1 – Baltimore Ravens
No. 2 – Cleveland Browns
No. 3 – Pittsburgh Steelers
No. 4 – Cincinnati Bengals
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