The AFC North boasts a historic division.
Heated rivalries, Super Bowl champions, and legendary plays come to mind. Yet, despite the history, the North has been in a slump as of late. Who will take up the mantle and put this division back on the radar of fantasy football?
Baltimore Ravens — Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver
Zay Flowers, the fourth-year man out of Boston College, has consistently gotten better each season. With back-to-back seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards, Flowers now looks to increase his touchdown output. With an aging Derrick Henry possibly forcing Baltimore to become a more pass-heavy team, Flowers can easily propel himself into a double-digit touchdown season.
On Aug. 4, Flowers agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract extension. It takes a lot of confidence for Baltimore to commit that kind of money, clearly solidifying Flowers as their primary receiver.
While he may not win a fantasy league, he is easily a top WR1 contender.
Cincinnati Bengals — Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver
Some things in the NFL world are just a little too well-known. Ja’Marr Chase forever being a first-round fantasy pick is one of them.
With a promising training camp thus far, Joe Burrow is still targeting his favorite receiver out of LSU. Whether Burrow is on the radar as a QB1 is irrelevant when Chase can easily propel a team into the fantasy playoffs, let alone win a championship.
Since 2021, Ja’Marr Chase has averaged at least 16 fantasy points per game, with a career average of 19.6. With as durable and consistent as he is, Chase could very well be the best player on a championship-caliber fantasy roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers — Rico Dowdle, Running Back
Perhaps the biggest surprise of recent years, Rico Dowdle turned into a star running back seemingly overnight.
Dowdle began as a respectable backup in Dallas, rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2024. He then joined the Panthers in 2025 and did the same thing, outshining Chuba Hubbard.
This time around, Dowdle is surprising fans and coaches alike as he competes with Jaylen Warren in the backfield. Per Mike DeFabo, coach Mike McCarthy listed Warren and Dowdle as a “dynamic one-two punch.” This duo seems similar to the old Gibbs and Montgomery powerhouse; both running backs bring completely differing skillsets that pair brilliantly with one another.
Look for Dowdle to be a strong FLEX or RB2 contender as the season progresses.
Cleveland Browns — Harold Fannin Jr., Tight End
The Browns enter the 2026 season much like they do every other season: with a lot of uncertainty. So, what gives Browns fans a bit of hope? Harold Fannin Jr.
The 22-year-old out of Bowling Green exceeded all expectations in his rookie year. He amassed 731 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets, making Fannin Jr. one of the best tight end options in 2025.
Entering 2026, it remains to be seen who will be throwing him the football. Whether it’s Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, or Dillon Gabriel, Fannin Jr.’s ability to get open is a deadly weapon that the Browns will utilize throughout the season with any quarterback. Of those three options, Fannin Jr. has no experience with Watson, and he appeared to have the best chemistry with Sanders.
Overall, the AFC North has some heavy hitters for the 2026 season. While it may not be filled with an exhaustive list of stars, a few of these players could propel fantasy teams to greatness.
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