Football is won and lost in the trenches, and AFC North defensive linemen are a major reason why that holds true. All four teams understand that having a strong group up front sets up their defenses for success in order to stop the run, given how talented the running backs and offensive linemen are in the division.
It’s time to break down the top AFC North defensive linemen heading into the upcoming season.
Ranking Top AFC North Defensive Linemen For 2026
5. Mason Graham
Mason Graham took the division by storm last for the Cleveland Browns, and he made the most of his opportunities. Graham started every game last season and recorded 49 total tackles for Cleveland, including a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he set a personal best of six tackles in one game. He didn’t register many sacks as a rookie, but the former Michigan Wolverines star is making a name for himself.
The future is bright for Graham, and the Browns have an anchor on their defensive front for the next several years. However, it’s hard to rank him any higher among AFC North defensive linemen with how talented the group is across all four teams.
4. Derrick Harmon
Derrick Harmon missed five games last season for the Steelers, but he proved to be the future at the position. He showed the other teams in the division that it is only up from here. Harmon will be hoping to turn the corner this fall in his second season in the league.
Harmon had three sacks last season for Pittsburgh, which helped establish his presence on the defensive front. The Steelers were also much better at stopping the run when he played compared to when he was not on the field. Much like Graham, Harmon will be a stellar player for years to come, but he also doesn’t have much experience to be higher on the list of AFC North defensive linemen.
3. Nnamdi Madubuike
Nnamdi Madubuike missed all but two games last season for the Baltimore Ravens, and his presence on the field was severely missed. He made 43 tackles in 17 games in 2024 with the Ravens, and Madubuike set a career-high of 13 sacks the year prior in 2023. However, he is expected to play again this season in Baltimore after undergoing a major neck surgery that almost cost him his career.
His return to the field will benefit a Ravens defense led by first-year coordinator Anthony Weaver, who was previously in the same role with the Miami Dolphins. Madubuike is expected to have a big role this fall in Baltimore, which is why he makes the top three among AFC North defensive linemen.
2. Cam Heyward
Cam Heyward comes in at No. 2 on the list, as he continues to post high-level performances in his upper 30’s. He totaled 78 tackles last season for the Steelers across all 17 games on his way to a second-team All-Pro honor and solidified himself once again as one of the best AFC North defensive linemen.
As long as Heyward continues to produce at a high level, he will remain a huge asset for the Steelers while Harmon continues to learn and develop. He continues to get better with age, and the Steelers will savor every second of it. The argument can certainly be made for him to take the top spot in this set of rankings, but the top player at this position is a level above everyone else.
1. Dexter Lawrence
Dexter Lawrence didn’t have the best season last year for the New York Giants, but in his defense, there wasn’t much talent on either side of the ball in New York a year ago. According to ESPN, Lawrence faced a double team on over 71% of his snaps a year ago. If you’re looking for a reason why he only had 0.5 sacks in his final season with the Giants, look no further than that statistic.
After being traded for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Lawrence has a chance to prove himself as the best among all of the AFC North defensive linemen. At 6’4 and 340 pounds, Lawrence fits right in on a Bengals defense that needed a boost to help stop the run after giving up over 2,500 yards on the ground a year ago.
Main Photo Courtesy of Frank Bowen IV – The Enquirer via Imagn Images
