The AFC North has long built its identity in the trenches. Whether it's the Baltimore Ravens' power rushing attack or the Cincinnati Bengals' efforts to protect Joe Burrow. Then, there's the Pittsburgh Steelers' physical style of play and the Cleveland Browns' commitment to controlling the line of scrimmage. Offensive tackle remains one of the division's most important positions.
The Ravens enter 2026 with what may be the NFL's best pair of starting tackles. Elsewhere, several former first-round picks are still trying to establish themselves, while a handful of young players are looking to prove they belong among the division's elite. Here's how the AFC North's projected starting offensive tackles stack up entering the 2026 season. Two Ravens bookends
sit atop the ranking.
Ronnie Stanley | Baltimore Ravens
Injuries once cast doubt on whether Stanley would ever return to his All-Pro form, but those questions have largely disappeared. He played his way into a three-year extension in 2025.
The veteran left tackle remains one of the AFC's premier blindside protectors, combining polished technique with the athleticism to neutralize some of the league's best edge rushers. While he may not dominate every Sunday the way he did earlier in his career, consistency has become one of his greatest strengths.
The Ravens have built much of their offensive success around Lamar Jackson's ability to extend plays, and Stanley continues to provide the steady protection that makes those moments possible. Until another tackle in the division proves capable of matching his résumé and level of play, he remains the standard.
Roger Rosengarten | Baltimore Ravens
Roger Rosengarten wasted little time proving he belonged. After stepping into Baltimore's lineup, he quickly developed into one of the league's more dependable young right tackles, displaying poise well beyond his experience.
His footwork and pass protection continue to improve, while his athleticism makes him an ideal fit in Baltimore's offense. The Ravens appear to have solved both tackle positions for years to come. If Rosengarten continues on his current trajectory, he may soon find himself mentioned among the NFL's elite at his position rather than simply one of its rising stars.
Troy Fautanu | Pittsburgh Steelers
Fautanu possesses all the physical tools teams covet at offensive tackle. His combination of movement skills, strength and versatility made him one of the most highly regarded prospects in his draft class.
Pittsburgh believes those traits will translate into long-term success. As he continues gaining experience, expect his consistency to improve alongside his confidence. The ceiling is extremely high here.
Amarius Mims | Cincinnati Bengals
Few tackles in the division possess Mims' upside. His rare size and athletic ability make him a difficult matchup for opposing pass rushers, and Cincinnati continues to believe he's capable of developing into a cornerstone of its offensive line.
Like many young tackles, refinement remains part of the process. The flashes have been enough to justify the optimism surrounding his future.
Tytus Howard | Cleveland Browns
Howard brings something several players below him cannot: proven experience. He's started games at multiple offensive line positions throughout his career and has developed into a reliable veteran capable of handling difficult assignments. He may not receive much national attention, but Cleveland values the stability he provides on an offensive line changing.
Orlando Brown Jr. | Cincinnati Bengals
Brown's résumé includes multiple Pro Bowls and years of high-level play. Although he no longer belongs in conversations about the league's elite tackles, he's still a dependable veteran who understands how to handle premier edge rushers. His experience remains valuable for a Bengals offense that can't afford inconsistency protecting Joe Burrow.
Dylan Cook | Pittsburgh Steelers
He has played 291 offensive snaps. He has five starts to his name, including one playoff start. Cook enters the season with an opportunity to establish himself after seeing limited action early in his career.
His five starts, including one in the postseason, have given him valuable experience, but he still has much to prove compared to the other tackles in this division. Consistency will ultimately determine whether he can hold onto Pittsburgh's starting job throughout the season.
Spencer Fano | Cleveland Browns
Fano has yet to play an NFL snap, but Cleveland drafted him believing he has all the tools to become a long-term starter. His athleticism, balance and technical polish helped make him one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2026 draft,
Expectations are understandably high. This rookie may not stay ranked this low for long. It doesn't seem right to place him ahead of players who have already started an NFL game.
Worth mentioning: Max Iheanachor | Pittsburgh Steelers
It feels as though he should be ranked somewhere around seventh, and it's highly possible that he'll win a job as a starter, but again, he's a rookie, and Fautanu and Cook both started games for the Steelers last season.
The Ravens currently boast the division's gold standard at offensive tackle, but several younger players are closing the gap. If even a few of those former first-round picks and highly touted rookies reach their potential, the AFC North could soon feature one of the NFL's deepest collections of tackle talent.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ranking the AFC North’s projected starting offensive tackles for 2026
