In this series, I examine which fantasy-relevant 2025 rookies will be good fits on each NFL team. This week I’m looking at the teams in the AFC North. In this series, I’ll be highlighting how much of a need each offensive position is for each team. I’ll provide a rating out of 10 for how much of a need each position is. Then, I will identify the best (and most realistic) fits among 2025 prospects.
Quarterback - (1/10)
The Steelers seem to have found a solution (or two) at quarterback. Russell Wilson has seen a late-career resurgence after escaping Denver, and Justin Fields showed signs that he may still have a future as a starter in the NFL. While keeping both may be a struggle with both passers as impending free agents, quarterback is not a position of need anymore.
Running Back - (3/10)
Between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, the Steelers have one of the better running back tandems in the league. With both as impending free agents, though, and Arthur Smith’s extremely run-heavy scheme, there may be an opening for a complementary back to join the backfield this off-season. The style of runner, the Steelers, aim for is dependent on which current running back remains on their roster next season.
Wide Receiver - (5/10)
George Pickens is having another solid season now that he’s the Steelers unchallenged top receiver. The Steelers don’t have a need at the top of the depth chart here; although Pickens’ antics surely bring some risks reminiscent of past Steelers star receivers, there has been a lack of depth at the position. Roman Wilson has battled injuries for almost the entirety of his rookie season. Calvin Austin has done little to impress in his opportunities this year.
Mike Williams was recently brought in and seems a good fit in the short term, but there’s little certainty whether he’ll be around into the future, given his age and injury history. While Smith’s system doesn’t require two-star receivers, the WR2 for the team needs to be somewhat of a threat to keep Pickens from being eliminated from the game plan or opposing defenses from entirely stacking the box against the run.
Tight End – (2/10)
Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington provide a competent tight end duo that likely won’t be a position of focus in the draft.
Best Fit – Isaiah Bond
(Wide Receiver – Round 2)
Bond may not seem like a player complementary to Pickens, but he is a great fit in the Steelers system. Bond is an incredibly fast, deep threat. The diversity of his route tree has improved following his transfer to Texas, but his ability to beat defenders down the field with his speed is still his greatest asset. Yes, that vertical element is present with Pickens already, but the Steelers have the personnel and play caller to fully take advantage of that skill further.
The signing of Mike Williams shows that the Steelers are not shying away from an offense that focuses on a heavy diet of rush attempts and then deep sideline shots, particularly off play action. Bond will give the Steelers an option opposite Pickens that will stretch the field. Single high safety won’t be a reliable option for opposing defenses which will require prioritizing between a focus on Pickens and filling the box to stop the run.
Quarterback - (0/10)
Lamar Jackson. That is all.
Running Back - (1/10)
Derrick Henry is Derrick Henry. Even with Henry’s advanced age for the position, there are in-house options to help carry the load once that age shows sign of impacting Henry – which it has yet to do so far.
Wide Receiver - (4/10)
Zay Flowers has shown signs of a breakout 2nd season as the top receiver for the Ravens. While he’s not quite considered a traditional dominant number-one receiver, that isn’t necessarily a significant need for the team, given their reliance on the run. The Ravens could look to add depth to the position, with Diontae Johnson not being impactful since arriving in Baltimore.
Tight End - (0/10)
This is probably the most secure tight-end room in the league between Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.
Best Fit – Xavier Restrepo
(Wide Receiver – Round 2/3)
While pairing Flowers with another smaller receiver who plays primarily out of the slot may seem unnatural, I believe Flowers is well suited to a role on the outside. Flowers has the ability to make an impact down the field, and Restrepo would be a complementary option in his ability to find space on shorter routes.
The Ravens are also squarely in a contention window and should be targeting immediate contributors in the draft. Restrepo is an older prospect who should be able to step into a starting slot receiver role right away. With some of the safest hands in this draft, Restrepo could be a key option for the Ravens, even if it doesn’t lead to a high target total or particularly exciting fantasy outcomes.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback - (0/10)
For all that is wrong with the Bengals, Joe Burrow is not the problem.
Running Back - (4/10)
Chase Brown has looked very good following the departure of Joe Mixon, but there are still limitations to his game. Zack Moss didn’t live up to the fairly modest expectations he had entering the year, and after suffering a season-ending neck injury, there may be questions about the viability of his career in the NFL, not just his role with the Bengals. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Bengals add another running back through the draft who is more reliable as a pass blocker.
Wide Receiver - (5/10)
Ja’Marr Chase is among the top tier of receivers in the league, but that doesn’t mean he can do everything himself. Chase has benefited from having Tee Higgins alongside him in this offense throughout his career, preventing teams from focusing exclusively on Chase. Higgins is not in the future plans for the Bengals. Franchise tags and repeatedly failing to agree on a long-term contract have made that clear.
The Bengals then went out and drafted Jermaine Burton last year who was expected to be the heir apparent to Higgins for the WR2 job. The attitude issues that caused his draft stock to drop seem to have been well-founded, as controversy has surrounded Burton throughout his short time in the NFL. If Burton isn’t serious about committing to the team, then the Bengals may need to take another swing at Higgins’ replacement in the draft, now without the benefit of time for that player to develop.
Tight End - (5/10)
Tight end hasn’t been a particular focus for the Bengals’ offense throughout Zac Taylor’s time as head coach. That could change alongside a change in the coaching staff.
Best Fit – Tre Harris
(Wide Receiver – Round 2)
The Bengals have a lot of holes to fill outside of skill positions, but finding a replacement for Higgins is increasingly becoming an urgent priority. Tre Harris serves an opportunity to add someone that may have Day 1 talent on Day 2 of the draft, giving the Bengals the ability to fill another hole with their first-round pick.
Harris was having a dominant season before missing time with injury. Even after missing 3.5 games, he still ranks 7th in the FBS in receiving yards. In my most recent 2025 wide receiver rankings, I ranked Harris as the 6th best valuable receiver in a deep class. His age plays into that ranking, as I believe that entering next season, he'll be much better than the 6th best receiver in the class. The injury, along with his status as an older prospect, could lead to his draft stock being suppressed despite an incredible production profile.
Harris also fits the mold that Tee Higgins succeeded in. A big-bodied receiver that can manage a high target share on short to intermediate routes while still being able to win on deep balls. Harris would benefit greatly from playing alongside a player with the gravity of Chase and a quarterback like Burrow. If the Bengals are willing to spend a valuable draft selection on another skills player, Harris offers the best combo of skill and value.
Quarterback - (9/10)
Finding a quality quarterback isn’t exactly the strength of the Browns. Jameis Winston has been a very good backup to fill in as the starter, but no team should be comfortable entering the season relying on Winston as their starter unless their focus is already on the next season’s draft.
There is a quarterback on the roster with a roughly $73 million cap hit each of the next two seasons, but the only thing worse than giving him that contract would be letting him play quarterback again in the NFL. There’s a reason that his team’s own fans cheered when he suffered a season-ending injury.
The Browns will find themselves back near the top of the draft this season, and unless they hit at the quarterback position with that pick, they’ll likely find themselves back there repeatedly.
Running Back – (6/10)
Nick Chubb’s comeback has been a lone bright spot in a dismal season, but the reality is that a soon-to-be 29-year-old running back with two major knee reconstructions in his past is not the future answer at the position for a team with no chance of contending in sight. If it weren’t for the dire need for a quarterback, the Browns may be the favorite to draft the consensus top running back and expected top Dynasty rookie draft selection in 2025, Ashton Jeanty.
Wide Receiver – (4/10)
Cedric Tillman’s emergence following the trade of Amari Cooper is a promising sign for the wide receiver room in Cleveland. Adding more talent to that room is certainly still needed, but it now falls down the priority list with more pressing needs.
Tight End – (0/10)
David Njoku is one of the most dangerous receiving tight ends in the league. Giving him a viable quarterback would be nice.
Best Fit – Cameron Ward
(Quarterback – Round 1)
Ward has been my top-ranked quarterback in this class since after Week 1 of the college football season. It was clear right from his first game with Miami that he has one of the highest ceilings of any passer in this class.
Poise in the pocket, a big arm, mobility to create time, and the size to handle the demands of being a quarterback in the NFL. Ward is as good of a bet as anyone in this class to succeed in the NFL. The Browns have shown flashes of a dynamic offense the past couple of years but have been held back by horrendous quarterback play. Ward may be the next big name coming out of college to be tasked with the job of turning around this franchise.
