• The Ravens Crime is well represented: Baltimore fields the division’s best quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end and more.

• No division is blessed with the edge rusher wealth of the AFC North: TJ Watts And Myles Garrett Leave little room for other talented pass rushers.

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Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

We’re halfway through the season (or almost there), so PFF will be diving into each division and highlighting the best players at each position so far. Next up is the AFC North, where the Baltimore Ravens lead with eight picks.

QUARTERBACK: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Life is such that our two best quarterbacks come from the AFC North: Jackson and Joe Burrow. Jackson narrowly beats out the brilliant Burrow for his running ability – his 79.7 PFF rushing grade ranks eighth among quarterbacks – with both passing the ball better than any other quarterback and ranking second in passing grade.

REWIND: Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

There are no surprises here. As well as Najee Harris After running the ball for the Steelers, Henry continues to amaze, averaging a ridiculous 6.3 yards per carry. Could Eric Dickerson’s 2,105 yards rushing record be in jeopardy?

WIDE RECEIVER: Zay flowers, Baltimore Ravens; George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers; Yes’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Only the Browns are not represented here, as each team has a top opponent. T-shirt Higgins Maybe it would be sad not to be there, but playing time (only 236 snaps this year) is the selling point here, even though he has the best grade on the field.

TIGHT END: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

At the start of the season, Andrews wasn’t even one of his team’s top two tight ends. But as the season progressed, he became more involved and the former Oklahoma Sooner got into shape. As of Week 5, Andrews ranks sixth among qualified tight ends with an overall grade of 78.7.

LEFT TACK: Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens

Stanley has been the dominant left tackle in this division for some time. His overall grade of 75.3 is the best of all offensive tackles in the AFC North and his best grade since 2020. Credit goes to the Steelers Dan Moore Jr. for the improvement, as his overall grade of 74.1 is the best of his career.

LEFT GUARDIAN: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns

Bitonio had a difficult 2023 by his standards and is experiencing a similar 2024 with an overall grade of 66.3. However, a tough year for him is still above average and means he gets the nod here.

CENTER: Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens

This is a department with two excellent centers in Linderbaum and Zach Frazierwith both totaling over 80.0. Frazier hopes to be back on the field soon, and if he can play as well as he did before, he will put Linderbaum right at the top.

RIGHT GUARDIAN: James Daniels, Pittsburgh Steelers

Daniels was one of the standout guards in the entire league, earning an overall grade of 92.9 before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Week 4. He is still the highest-rated guard in football.

CORRECT ATTACK: Jack Conklin, Cleveland Browns

This battle at right tackle wasn’t particularly strong, especially since Conklin looked like a player recovering from an injury and wasn’t performing at the level we expected him to perform. Still, he recorded an overall grade of 70.3 and only allowed nine pressures this season.

EDGE DEFENDER: TJ Watts, Pittsburgh Steelers; Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

When it comes to edge rushers, you’re spoiled for choice in this category, especially considering how outstanding they are Trey Hendrickson and his pass-rushing grade of 90.5 doesn’t cut it. His problem is that Garrett wins too often (26.3% of all pass rushes) and that Watt has performed better at both pass rushing (grade 90.9) and has been exceptional at running (93.2 points). All three are elite players.

DEFENSE INTERIOR: Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers; BJ Hill, Cincinnati Bengals

Heyward is having as good a year as any interior lineman with his overall grade of 91.0, making him an easy pick at the top. It was more difficult to choose a partner for him, as Hill (overall score 74.2) came up just short Travis Jones And Dalvin Tomlinson.

LINE BACKER: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns; Logan Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals

In a down year for the Browns, Owusu-Koramoah continues to shine with top-notch work in the run game; His run defense grade of 91.7 ranks fourth among all defenders with more than 100 run defense snaps. Like Owusu-Koramoah, Wilson was excellent against the run, posting a run defense grade of 90.1.

CORNERBACK: Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens; DJ Turner, Cincinnati Bengals; Mike Hilton, Cincinnati Bengals

As good as this division is, it has problems at cornerback. With an overall grade of 80.4, Humphrey is the highest rated. Ultimately we decided to go for it DJ Turner II above Denzel Ward in a close race, as his coverage grade of 67.3 beats Ward’s 65.2 mark.

SECURITY: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens; Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers

Hamilton and his screen-killing self have the highest safety grade in the division, excelling in pretty much everything, culminating in an overall grade of 83.9. Fitzpatrick didn’t have quite the same impact in terms of splash plays, but his play was still impressive – he posted grades of 69.9 or better in coverage, run defense and tackling.

KICKER: Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers

PLAYER: Corey Bojorquez, Cleveland Browns

KICK RETURNER: Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers

SPECIAL TEAMS: Winston Reid, Cleveland Browns

It feels strange not having it Justin Tucker in here, but he’s not the player he once was – he made just 15 of 19 shots – and Chris Boswell has the third-highest mark of all kickers, along with one missed shot per year. Reid gets the nod for his 86.4 special teams grade on his 186 special teams snaps.