2026 AFC North Positional Rankings: Cornerback

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Huntington Bank Field on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images During this year’s free agency cycle and 2026 NFL draft, all four AFC North teams made significant moves to add talent to their rosters. While more additions are still possible over the next few months, everyone’s core players are mostly set ahead of the 2026 season.

class="has-text-align-none wp-block-paragraph">How do the different positional groups in the division stack up to one another? Let’s rank the AFC North squads by position, continuing with cornerback.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers Starters: Joey Porter Jr., Jamal Dean, Jalen Ramsey

class="has-text-align-none wp-block-paragraph">Depth: Asante Samuel Jr., Daylen Everette, Brandin Echols

class="has-text-align-none wp-block-paragraph">The Steelers are returning Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey as primary cornerbacks while making two notable additions this offseason. Veteran Jamal Dean was inked to a three-year contract after playing seven years in Tampa Bay, where he established himself as a reliable and consistent player. Although he’s never earned Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition, Dean was PFF’s No. 3 graded cornerback in 2026 with three interceptions and two passes defended. Porter has become a high-level coverage player through three seasons and has the potential to make a jump to stardom status in Year 4. A potential X-factor is Asante Samuel Jr., who the Steelers also signed after he was medically cleared to return from a spinal injury,

2. Baltimore RavensStarters: Nate Wiggins, Chidobe Awuzie, Marlon Humphrey

class="has-text-align-none wp-block-paragraph">Depth: T.J. Tampa, Chandler Rivers, Bilhal Kone

class="has-text-align-none wp-block-paragraph">The Ravens re-signed Chidobe Awuzie this offseason to return as a starter alongside Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, after the veteran had a solid 2026 campaign with the team. Humphrey and Wiggins were among the most targeted cornerbacks in the league last season and allowed their fair share of production. Wiggins flashed high-level potential throughout the year despite some struggles, though, racking up 14 pass breakups and three interceptions. Humphrey was PFF’s 105th-graded cornerback and allowed a 90.9 passer rating when targeted. Humphrey is in need of a big bounce-back season entering his age-30 campaign, while Wiggins still possesses star potential entering Year 3. The Ravens have a plethora of young cornerbacks far down the depth chart who will battle it out for the final roster spots in this group.

3. Cleveland BrownsStarters: Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Myles Harden

class="has-text-align-none wp-block-paragraph">Depth: Anthony Kendall, Dom Jones, Myles Bryant

class="has-text-align-none wp-block-paragraph">Denzel Ward remains one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL at 19 years old despite some durability issues in recent seasons. He’s made five Pro Bowls in eight career seasons, including three consecutive. After trading for Tyson Campbell in the middle of last season from the Jacksonville Jaguars, he will return as a starter alongside Ward. In 12 games with the Browns, Campbell recorded 12 pass breakups, 53 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble as well. Myles Harden is the team’s primary nickel corner entering his third career season. Harden started five games last season after playing only four in his rookie campaign. His PFF grade of 48.7 ranked 108th among all cornerbacks. At 24 years old, Harden could take a step forward this year and help solidify this group.

4. Cincinnati BengalsStarters: Dax Hill, DJ Turner II, Jalen Davis

class="has-text-align-none wp-block-paragraph">Depth: Tacario Davis, Josh Newton, Ja’Sir Taylor

class="has-text-align-none wp-block-paragraph">The Bengals lost Cam Taylor-Britt in free agency but are returning two other starters at cornerback. DJ Turner is coming off a career-best third season in the NFL, where he recorded 18 pass breakups, two interceptions and was PFF’s No. 19 graded player at the position (73.3). At 25 years old, Turner could be primed to take another step forward. His former Michigan teammate, Dax Hill, started all 17 games and played over 1,000 defensive snaps in 2025. Since being drafted in 2022, Hill has floated between being a safety and nickel cornerback but will likely play exclusively on the outside now. Jalen Davis is slotted to step into the starting slot role having only three total starts in eight career seasons. Davis played a career-high 270 defensive snaps last season. The Bengals drafted Tacario Davis out of Washington in the third round this year, an intriguing 6-foot-4 prospect who should see playing time right away.

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