2026 First Fantasy Football Thoughts: AFC/NFC North

by Michael Nazarek - 7/19/2026

It's time to take a closer look at the North Division teams to see how they are shaping up in July. Let’s get right to it…

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens just missed the playoffs in 2025 on the final week of the season. The team got off to a terrible start and QB Lamar Jackson missed four games due to injuries. That said, he returns in 2026 to lead the Ravens with a new coaching staff. If he can stay healthy, he is still an elite QB1 for fantasy. QB Tyler Huntley returns as his backup. In the running game, veteran RB Derrick Henry had an "off" year in 2025, but was still RB7 in PPR leagues. Uh, yeah, you ride him as a solid RB1 until the wheels fall off, and there is no indication that will happen this season! RB Justice Hill returns to back up Henry, while RB Keaton Mitchell left via free agency. In the passing game, WR Zay Flowers returns as the clear WR1 for the team, and solid WR2 for fantasy. WR Rashod Bateman and WR Devontez Walker also return, but both will make only limited impacts for fantasy. WR DeAndre Hopkins was not re-signed, but the team drafted rookies WR Ja'Kobi Lane and WR Elijah Sarratt, talents they hope will grow into starters. For right now, they are both just late-round fantasy sleepers. At tight end, TE Mark Andrews returns and should be a primary scoring threat in the passing game since TE Isaiah Likely moved on via free agency. TE Durham Smythe will back up Andrews, who will play more snaps overall with a higher target share. Second-year PK Tyler Loop returns and should see enough scoring chances to be a solid PK1 for fantasy in 2026.

Cincinnati Bengals: The rest of this article can be found in our Pre-Season Draft Guide. If you'd like to read it, please click HERE to order our annual premium product!

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