RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesBALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 07: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
During this year’s free agency cycle and 2026 NFL draft, all four AFC North teams made significant moves to add talent to their rosters. While more additions are still possible over the next several weeks, every team’s core players are mostly set ahead of the 2026 season.
How do the different positional groups in the division stack up to one another? Let’s rank the AFC North squads by position, continuing with safety.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Starters : Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks
Depth: Jaylinn Hawkins, Keondre Jackson
The Ravens are anticipating a second-year jump from Malaki Starks, who had a solid rookie season in 2025 with room for improvement. Starks steadied as the season progressed and possesses star potential, which made him a worthwhile first-round pick. The Georgia product could thrive in Jesse Minter’s defensive system. Kyle Hamilton will almost surely excel in a new-look defense, as the perennial All-Pro has established himself as arguably the best safety in the NFL. Hamilton is a true chess-piece defender and will likely once again blend between playing as a deep safety, slot defender, and around the line of scrimmage. The Ravens signed veteran Jaylinn Hawks to join this group as the No. 3 safety, but he will likely see a lot of playing time. Hawkins is another sturdy versatile defensive back who can play alongside Hamilton and Starks.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
Starters : Bryan Cook, Jordan Battle
Depth: Kyle Dugger, PJ Jules
A prized offseason acquisition for the Bengals was safety Bryan Cook from the Kansas City Chiefs. Cook posted a career-high in tackles and pass breakups last season, while grading out as PFF’s No. 4 overall safety. He ranked Top 15 in both pass coverage and run defense. Cook established himself as a full-time starter for the Chiefs three years ago and will now play the same role in Cincinnati. Alongside him is rising fourth-year player Jordan Battle, who the Bengals drafted in 2023. Battle stuffed the stat sheet last season with 125 total tackles, six pass breakups, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. The Bengals also signed veteran Kyle Dugger who joined the Steelers last season for nine games. Dugger had some productive seasons in New England but was traded away last year after being demoted to second string. If he can be a quality No. 3 safety for the Bengals, that will help stabilize their secondary even more.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Starters: Jaquan Brisker, Deshon Elliott
Depth: Darnell Savage, Sebastian Castro
Returning for his third season in Pittsburgh is Deshon Elliott, who suffered a season-ending injury in 2025 and played only five games. Elliott had started 14 games for the Steelers the prior year and led the team in solo tackles with 73. Next to Elliott this coming season will be Jaquan Brisker, who the Steelers inked to a one-year contract this offseason. Brisker spent four years in Chicago as a second-round pick in 2022. He started all 52 of his played games for the Bears and played a significant role for their defense. In 2025, Brisker’s 60.4 PFF grade ranked only 67th among all safeties in over 1,000 defensive snaps. His pass rush and run defense metrics were better than his coverage grades, which tracks with his reputation as a box safety. The Steelers also signed Darnell Savage, a former first-round pick in 2019. Savage has bounced around multiple teams in recent years, so the Steelers are hoping he will find his footing in Pittsburgh.
4. Cleveland Browns
Starters: Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman
Depth: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Christopher Edmonds
The Browns re-signed Grant Delpit to a three-year extension, ensuring he will continue being one of the team’s starting safeties. Delpit has started 68 games for the Browns since being drafted in 2021 and is coming off a career-high in forced fumbles, sacks and quarterback hits. His 66.6 overall PFF grade ranked 41st at the position. Fellow starter Ronnie Hickman was a full-time starter for the first time in 2025 and unsurprisingly also posted career-best numbers in most categories, highlighted by 103 total tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions. The major addition to this group is incoming rookie Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who the Browns drafted with the No. 58 pick. Many believed McNeil-Warren was a first-round talent, and the Browns likely got an immediate impact player with long-term upside.
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