In today’s NFL, there are many different ways teams can build a championship-caliber roster. But one thing is certain: you need enough good players in the right places to have any shot. In a tweet posted Tuesday, NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah broke down his ideal 12 spots in which teams need to have enough depth. How do the Steelers compare to the rest of the AFC North?

I’d like to revisit this concept for every NFL team. To build a championship foundation, you need to fill these 12 spots:
QB-1
Off Playmaker-3
Quality OL- 3
Pass Rusher- 2
Def Playmaker-3

Fun exercise to compare teams with this focus

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) May 26, 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers

From the Steelers’ perspective, they’re actually pretty solid. The opinion on Aaron Rodgers varies with each person you ask, but he was good enough to get the Steelers to 10 wins while winning the division last year. With more help around him this season, there’s some reason for optimism at quarterback. In terms of playmakers, the Steelers feel set as well. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. are two big ones out wide. And from Pat Freiermuth to Germie Bernard and Jaylen Warren, any of those three could fit in as the third.

There are lots of questions with the offensive line, but you could probably argue for three quality players. Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick were each consistent last year. Although he may be moving positions, Troy Fautanu settled in nicely during his second year. In terms of pass rushers, if just two of Alex Highsmith, T.J. Watt, and Nick Herbig can step up in 2026, the Steelers will fill that area. And they aren’t especially short on playmakers either, with Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, and DeShon Elliott all roaming the secondary.

Baltimore Ravens

For Baltimore, potentially the Steelers’ biggest AFC North competitor, Lamar Jackson obviously has them set at quarterback. Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers certainly count as offensive playmakers. Mark Andrews is getting older, but Baltimore does have two intriguing rookie receivers in Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt. The offensive line also got a couple of new faces this year with John Simpson and Olaivavega Ioane joining the unit. However, it will hurt Baltimore to lose Tyler Linderbaum via free agency.

Baltimore’s pass rush hasn’t been too dangerous recently, but they are getting a massive addition in Trey Hendrickson, while also drafting Zion Young in the second round. Kyle Hamilton is a massive playmaker in the secondary. Roquan Smith is coming off a Pro Bowl season, and the Ravens have some youth back there with Malaki Starks and Chandler Rivers. It will be interesting to see how that defense looks under new leadership with Jesse Minter.

Cincinnati Bengals

Moving on to the Bengals, they’re set in terms of playmakers. When healthy, Joe Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the game. And he’s got two excellent receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

They’ve been mocked plenty for the offensive line in recent years, but it’s actually got some nice pieces heading into 2026. Orlando Brown Jr. continues to be reliable, and Amarius Mims was pretty solid in his second year. With some youngsters, including Dylan Fairchild, Brian Parker II, and Connor Lew now in the building, it could be a sneaky-good unit.

Defense has been Cincinnati’s kryptonite in recent years. But while the Bengals lost Hendrickson, the pass-rushing group isn’t too depleted. Cincinnati swung a big trade for Dexter Lawrence, while also bringing in Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen this offseason. Their linebackers struggled last year, but the secondary has room for hope. Bryan Cook is an underrated addition, and DJ Turner II was quietly solid in 2025. Cincinnati also drafted Tacario Davis and has former Steeler Kyle Dugger.

Cleveland Browns

The quarterback continues to be the root of all evil in Cleveland. Neither Shedeur Sanders nor Dillon Gabriel looked overly impressive last year. And they won’t get a chance to play this year if Deshaun Watson wins the job. But aside from quarterback, the Browns have quietly done a good job building up the roster.

Across the offense, they’ll be hoping the youth pans out. At receiver, the Browns have Jerry Jeudy, but more notably, two draft picks in KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. Harold Fannin Jr. can’t be forgotten, and at running back, Quinshon Judkins was very impressive before an injury halted his rookie year. The youth movement extends to the offensive line, where the Browns just took Spencer Fano. Cleveland overhauled most of its offensive line this offseason, so there will be plenty of new faces up front.

Defensively, the Browns remain strong. Myles Garrett is coming off a record-setting season, and the Browns hope Mason Graham can step up next to him. Denzel Ward remains steady in the secondary, along with Grant Delpit. At linebacker, Carson Schwesinger is coming off a great rookie year, and they just drafted Emmanuel McNeil-Warren as well. We’ll see if it all pans out, but at most of these positions, Cleveland has sneaky-good potential compared to the Steelers and the rest of the AFC North.