All-Time AFC North NFL Depth Chart
Some divisions produce talent. The AFC North produces legends.
This is the division of Jim Brown and Ray Lewis. Of Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, and the Iron Curtain. Of quarterbacks with ice in their veins, running backs built like tanks, and defenders who’d rather hit you than talk about it. This is where hard-nosed football isn’t just played — it’s worshipped.
We broke down the All-Time AFC North NFL Depth Chart, featuring not just the greatest starters at every position, but elite-level backups too. This isn’t about reputation — it’s about impact. It’s a two-deep roster designed to bully any era, in any weather.
Whether you bleed black and gold, orange and brown, or purple and black — get ready. This is the definitive all-time team from football’s grittiest division.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
- Head Coaches
- AFC North Offense Overview
- Quarterbacks
- Running Backs
- Fullbacks
- Wide Receivers
- Slot Receivers
- Tight Ends
- Left Tackles
- Left Guards
- Centers
- Right Guards
- Right Tackles
- Offensive Coaches
- AFC North Defense Overview
- Edge Rushers
- Nose Tackles
- Interior Defensive Linemen
- Outside Linebackers
- Middle Linebackers
- Slot Cornerbacks
- Cornerbacks
- Free Safeties
- Strong Safeties
- Defensive Coordinator
Head Coaches
Chuck Noll – Pittsburgh Steelers
• 4× Super Bowl Champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV)
• Architect of the 1970s Steelers dynasty
• 193 career wins and 10 playoff victories
Chuck Noll didn’t just win — he installed discipline, developed legends, and forged the Steel Curtain. The gold standard for AFC North coaching dominance.
Bill Cowher – Pittsburgh Steelers
• Super Bowl XL Champion
• 149–90–1 career record
• NFL Coach of the Year (1992)
The jaw. The fire. The blitz-heavy defenses. Cowher was Pittsburgh toughness in headset form.
Paul Brown – Cleveland Browns
• 3× NFL Champion
• Innovator of the modern playbook and face mask
• 167 career wins, 15 playoff games
One of football’s founding minds. Brown brought structure to chaos — and dominated while doing it.
Three titans of leadership. Noll brought rings, Cowher brought fire, and Brown brought innovation. This trio could coach any era — and probably still win 12 games.
The greatest offensive players in AFC North history — featuring full starters and backups by position.
All-Time AFC North Offense
Grit. Grind. Ground-and-pound. The AFC North offense isn’t built to win shootouts — it’s built to break spirits. From Jim Brown’s bruising dominance to Big Ben’s late-game heroics and Antonio Brown’s record-setting streak, this unit brings a ruthless combination of size, speed, and legacy.
Every yard is earned. Every touchdown is personal. And every player on this roster has the résumé — and toughness — to prove they belong.
Quarterbacks
Otto Graham – Cleveland Browns
• 7× All-Pro, 3× NFL Champion
• NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
• 57–13–1 as a starter
The OG QB1 — Graham’s winning percentage is still the gold standard nearly 70 years later.
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers
• 2× Super Bowl Champion
• 64,088 career passing yards
• 418 career TD passes
Clutch, gritty, and impossible to take down — Big Ben brought rings and drama to Pittsburgh’s air game.
Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
• 2019 NFL MVP
• Most single-season rushing yards by a QB
• 2× Pro Bowler
Lamar didn’t change the Ravens’ offense — he reinvented it.
A perfect blend of era and style: Graham’s control, Ben’s power, and Lamar’s chaos. Pick your poison.
Running Backs
Jim Brown – Cleveland Browns
• 3× NFL MVP, 8× First-Team All-Pro
• 12,312 career rushing yards
• Led NFL in rushing 8 times
The original GOAT. Brown didn’t just set records — he shattered the idea of what a RB could be.
Franco Harris – Pittsburgh Steelers
• 4× Super Bowl Champion
• 12,120 career rushing yards
• Super Bowl IX MVP
Harris was the engine behind a dynasty — with hands, vision, and postseason greatness.
Jerome Bettis – Pittsburgh Steelers
• 6× Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XL Champion
• 13,662 career rushing yards
• 91 rushing TDs
“The Bus” didn’t avoid defenders — he invited them.
Brown is the legend, Harris the dynasty back, and Bettis the bulldozer. This backfield has more yards than most franchises.
Fullbacks
Lorenzo Neal – Cincinnati Bengals
• 4× Pro Bowler, 2× First-Team All-Pro
• Lead blocker for 11 different 1,000-yard RB seasons
The blueprint for modern fullbacks. Neal made stars — and pancakes.
Vonta Leach – Baltimore Ravens
• 3× Pro Bowler, 2× All-Pro
• Key blocker for Ray Rice and dominant rushing attacks
Old-school thumper who made linebackers reconsider gap assignments.
Dan Kreider – Pittsburgh Steelers
• Super Bowl XL Champion
• Lead blocker for Jerome Bettis
• 7-year starter in Pittsburgh
Kreider wasn’t flashy — just effective. The quiet heart of Pittsburgh’s power game.
Neal was the hammer. Leach brought violence. Kreider kept it old-school. You don’t need a spotlight when you’re the reason the lights stay on.
Wide Receivers
Chad Johnson – Cincinnati Bengals
- 6× Pro Bowl, 3× All-Pro selections
- Franchise leader in receiving yards for the Bengals
- Over 11,000 receiving yards and 67 career TDs
Johnson, also known as “Ochocinco,” brought flair and elite production to Cincinnati, leading the Bengals’ receiving corps for nearly a decade.
Lynn Swann – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 4× Super Bowl Champion
- Super Bowl X MVP
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2001)
Swann was a big-game specialist with acrobatic catches and unmatched body control, elevating the Steelers’ dynasty with his clutch performances.
A.J. Green – Cincinnati Bengals
- 7× Pro Bowl selections
- 6 straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career
- 10,514 career receiving yards
Green was one of the smoothest route runners in the league, combining size, hands, and precision to dominate on the outside for the Bengals.
Isaac Curtis – Cincinnati Bengals
- 4× Pro Bowl selections
- Led the NFL in yards per catch (21.2) as a rookie
- 7,101 career receiving yards and 53 touchdowns
Curtis changed the way defenses played — his speed and hands forced teams into zone coverage and made him a Bengals legend.
Dante Lavelli – Cleveland Browns
- 3× NFL Champion
- Named to the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1975)
“Gluefingers” Lavelli was Otto Graham’s go-to target and one of the NFL’s first great wideouts, playing a key role in Cleveland’s dynasty years.
John Stallworth – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 4× Super Bowl Champion
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2002)
- 8,723 career receiving yards, 63 TDs
Stallworth complemented Swann perfectly, offering deep-threat ability and clutch scoring throughout the Steelers’ championship run.
This group blends highlight-reel flair with Hall of Fame pedigree — AFC North wideouts have torched defenses for generations.
Slot Receivers
Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers
• 7× Pro Bowler, 4× First-Team All-Pro
• 6 straight 100+ catch seasons
• NFL receptions & yards leader (2014, 2015, 2017)
At his peak? Uncoverable. A cheat code from the slot.
Hines Ward – Pittsburgh Steelers
• 2× Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl XL MVP
• All-time Steelers leader in receptions, yards, TDs
Reliable, physical, and fearless. A true throwback wideout.
Jarvis Landry – Cleveland Browns
• 5× Pro Bowler
• Over 7,000 career receiving yards
• Leader during Browns’ offensive resurgence
Glue hands. Grit. Leadership. Landry was the emotional core of Cleveland’s rebirth.
Brown gave you fireworks, Ward gave you clutch, Landry gave you grit. AFC North slot WRs don’t just get open — they get even.
Tight Ends
Ozzie Newsome – Cleveland Browns
• Hall of Famer, 3× Pro Bowler
• 662 receptions, 7,980 yards
• NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
“The Wizard of Oz” was a route-running technician and a pioneer for modern tight ends.
Shannon Sharpe – Baltimore Ravens
• Super Bowl XXXV Champion (Ravens)
• Hall of Fame TE with 62 career TDs
• 815 receiving yards in lone Baltimore season
Short stint in Baltimore — major impact. Sharpe made it count when it mattered most.
Heath Miller – Pittsburgh Steelers
• 2× Super Bowl Champion
• 592 receptions, 6,569 yards, 45 TDs
• Beloved team captain and fan favorite
The quiet chain-mover with “Heath” chants that echoed across Heinz Field.
Ozzie brought the innovation, Sharpe brought the fire, and Miller brought the heartbeat. You won’t find a more complete TE room.
Left Tackles
Anthony Muñoz – Cincinnati Bengals
- 11× Pro Bowl, 9× First-Team All-Pro selections
- Member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1998)
Muñoz is widely regarded as the greatest left tackle in NFL history — a dominant blocker with impeccable technique and unmatched consistency.
Jonathan Ogden – Baltimore Ravens
- 11× Pro Bowl, 4× First-Team All-Pro selections
- Super Bowl XXXV Champion
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2013)
Ogden was a mountain of a man who combined size, strength, and agility to anchor the Ravens’ line for over a decade.
Joe Thomas – Cleveland Browns
- 10× Pro Bowl, 6× First-Team All-Pro selections
- Over 10,000 consecutive snaps played
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2023)
Thomas was the ultimate technician and ironman, a lone bright spot for years in Cleveland’s trenches and one of the most respected tackles ever.
Three Hall of Fame giants — Muñoz, Ogden, and Thomas — define the gold standard for blindside protectors in the AFC North.
Left Guards
Alan Faneca – Pittsburgh Steelers
• Hall of Famer, 6× First-Team All-Pro
• Super Bowl XL Champion
• 9× Pro Bowler
Pulling guard perfection. Faneca created highways for the Steelers’ ground game.
Joel Bitonio – Cleveland Browns
• 5× Pro Bowler, 2× All-Pro
• Consistent anchor in Cleveland’s resurgence
Quietly dominant — Bitonio rarely loses a rep, and even rarer gets noticed for it.
Ben Grubbs – Baltimore Ravens
• 2× Pro Bowler
• 100+ career starts
• Foundation of Ravens’ smashmouth rushing era
Reliable, rugged, and overlooked — a trench warrior.
Faneca’s a Hall of Famer, Bitonio’s a technician, and Grubbs is the grinder. This side of the line is pure punishment.
Centers
Mike Webster – Pittsburgh Steelers
• Hall of Famer, 4× Super Bowl Champion
• 9× Pro Bowler, 5× First-Team All-Pro
“Iron Mike” was the rock of the Steel Curtain. Leadership and leverage in one.
Dermontti Dawson – Pittsburgh Steelers
• Hall of Famer, 6× All-Pro
• Revolutionized the center position with athleticism
The rare blend of brains and burst — Dawson pulled like a guard and hit like a truck.
Matt Birk – Baltimore Ravens
• Super Bowl XLVII Champion
• 6× Pro Bowler, 2× All-Pro
A cerebral anchor with championship chops.
This center trio is Hall of Fame-tier at every snap. You don’t push the pocket against them — you just hope to survive it.
Right Guards
Marshal Yanda – Baltimore Ravens
• 7× Pro Bowler, 2× First-Team All-Pro
• Super Bowl XLVII Champion
One of the most respected linemen of his era — and a nightmare for D-linemen.
David DeCastro – Pittsburgh Steelers
• 2× First-Team All-Pro, 6× Pro Bowler
• Key cog in Steelers’ run/pass balance
Smart, nasty, and technically sharp — DeCastro set the tone in the trenches.
Kevin Zeitler – Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens
• 170+ career starts
• Consistent mauler across multiple AFC North teams
Durable, dependable, and downright tough.
Yanda was elite. DeCastro was relentless. Zeitler was the glue guy. This guard trio plays like every snap’s a bar fight.
Right Tackles
Willie Anderson – Cincinnati Bengals
- 4× Pro Bowl, 3× First-Team All-Pro selections
- Allowed only 16 sacks over 12 NFL seasons
- Named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-2000s Team finalist list
Anderson was an elite pass protector and punishing run blocker, holding down the right edge for over a decade with unmatched consistency.
Tunch Ilkin – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2× Pro Bowl selection
- 13 seasons with the Steelers (1980–1992)
- Team captain and respected leader on the offensive line
Ilkin was known for his toughness and intelligence, helping pave the way for Pittsburgh’s ground attack in the 1980s.
Orlando Brown – Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens
- Played 129 career games at right tackle
- Started for both the Browns and Ravens during his career
- Father of current Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr.
“Zeus” was a massive, intimidating presence on the edge who brought brute strength and aggression to the AFC North trenches.
From dominant all-around technicians to run-game enforcers, this RT trio set the tone for their offenses for years.
Offensive Coordinators
Bruce Arians – Pittsburgh Steelers
- OC of Steelers from 2007–2011, including Super Bowl XLIII victory
- Known for developing Ben Roethlisberger and the vertical passing game
- Later became AP NFL Coach of the Year (2012, 2014) and Super Bowl-winning HC
Arians brought swagger and innovation to Pittsburgh’s offense, letting Big Ben sling it deep while maintaining a physical identity.
Ken Anderson – Cincinnati Bengals
- Former league MVP turned respected QB coach and OC
- Helped develop Carson Palmer during early 2000s
- Bengals all-time passing leader as a player
Anderson used his on-field wisdom to mentor young quarterbacks and guide Cincy’s offense with poise and precision.
Hue Jackson – Cincinnati Bengals
- OC for Bengals during top-10 offensive seasons in 2013 & 2015
- Instrumental in Andy Dalton’s early development
- Known for creative play calling and run-game emphasis
Jackson brought energy and balance to the Bengals’ attack, mixing explosive passing with powerful ground production.
From player-turned-guru to Super Bowl play-caller, this trio of OCs shaped AFC North offenses across multiple generations.
The greatest defensive players in AFC North history — featuring full starters and backups by position.
All-Time AFC North Defense
If the AFC North offense beats you down, the defense buries you. This side of the ball is loaded with legends who made Sundays miserable — hitters, ballhawks, and trench terrors who redefined toughness.
From Ray Lewis’ fire to Troy Polamalu’s instincts to Mean Joe Greene’s dominance — this defense has teeth, brains, and rings. It doesn’t matter what era you play in. These guys will find you, hit you, and let you know they enjoyed it.
Time to meet the most feared defensive lineup in any division — past or present.
Edge Rushers
T.J. Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- Tied NFL single-season sack record (22.5 sacks in 2021)
- 5× Pro Bowl, 4× First-team All-Pro
Watt is an explosive force on the edge, dominating offensive lines with speed and relentless pressure off the edge.
Terrell Suggs – Baltimore Ravens
- 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- 7× Pro Bowl, Super Bowl XLVII Champion
- 139 career sacks (top-10 all-time)
Suggs was a tone-setter and trash talker, always backing it up with elite pass rushing production.
James Harrison – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- 5× Pro Bowl, 2× Super Bowl Champion
- Legendary 100-yard pick-six in Super Bowl XLIII
Harrison brought brute strength and a mean streak to the Steelers’ pass rush for over a decade.
Joey Porter – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 4× Pro Bowl, 1× Super Bowl Champion
- 98 career sacks
- Feared for his fiery attitude and aggressive blitzing style
Porter was a vocal leader and relentless disruptor who gave AFC North quarterbacks nightmares.
Greg Lloyd – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 5× Pro Bowl, 3× First-team All-Pro
- Led a fearsome Steelers defense in the 1990s
- 1994 AFC Defensive Player of the Year
Lloyd played with intensity and violence, setting the tone for Pittsburgh’s intimidating front seven.
Elvis Dumervil – Baltimore Ravens
- 105.5 career sacks
- 5× Pro Bowl, 2× First-team All-Pro
- 20-sack season in 2009 with Denver
Dumervil brought explosive power and low leverage technique to terrorize offensive tackles off the snap.
This edge group combines sack machines, DPOYs, and trash-talking legends — exactly what you want bringing the heat off the corner.
Nose Tackles
Haloti Ngata – Baltimore Ravens
- 5× Pro Bowl, 2× First-team All-Pro
- Super Bowl XLVII Champion
- 515 career tackles, 32.5 sacks
Ngata was the immovable anchor of Baltimore’s dominant defenses, combining massive strength with surprising athleticism.
Casey Hampton – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 5× Pro Bowl selection
- 2× Super Bowl Champion
- 398 career tackles over 12 seasons
“Big Snack” controlled the middle of the line with incredible leverage, paving the way for linebackers to clean up behind him.
Joel Steed – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1997 Pro Bowl selection
- Key piece of Steelers’ 1990s defensive front
- Recorded 224 tackles and 9.5 sacks in his career
Steed was one of the AFC’s most underrated interior linemen, a stout run defender who held his ground every down.
The AFC North is known for trench warfare — and these nose tackles brought the bulk and brawn to dominate the middle.
Interior Defensive Linemen (IDL)
Joe Greene – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 10× Pro Bowl, 4× First-team All-Pro
- 4× Super Bowl Champion with the Steel Curtain
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1987)
“Mean” Joe Greene was the heart of the Steel Curtain, redefining the defensive tackle position with his explosiveness and ferocity.
Geno Atkins – Cincinnati Bengals
- 8× Pro Bowl, 2× First-team All-Pro
- 75.5 career sacks – most by a defensive tackle in Bengals history
- Member of NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
Atkins was a disruptive interior pass rusher, exploding off the snap and collapsing pockets for a decade in Cincinnati.
Ernie Stautner – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 9× Pro Bowl, 1× NFL Champion
- Member of the 1950s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1969)
Stautner was Pittsburgh’s original defensive great, playing with grit and tenacity long before the Steel Curtain era.
When it comes to interior dominance, these three legends brought elite production and relentless power to the AFC North trenches.
Outside Linebackers (OLB)
Jack Ham – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 8× Pro Bowl, 6× First-team All-Pro
- 4× Super Bowl Champion with the Steel Curtain
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1988)
Ham was the prototype for the modern outside linebacker — cerebral, instinctive, and devastating in coverage and run support.
Andy Russell – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 7× Pro Bowl, 2× Super Bowl Champion
- Two-time Steelers team MVP
- Played 12 seasons in Pittsburgh, anchoring the defense before and during the dynasty era
Russell bridged eras for the Steelers, combining smarts, speed, and leadership through a decade of excellence.
Takeo Spikes – Cincinnati Bengals/Buffalo Bills
- 2× Pro Bowl, 1× First-team All-Pro
- Over 1,400 career tackles, 29 sacks, 19 interceptions
- Respected veteran leader and tone-setter across multiple AFC teams
Spikes brought tenacity and versatility, leaving a legacy of toughness and leadership on every defense he touched.
With Ham’s Hall of Fame instincts, Russell’s reliability, and Spikes’ all-around ferocity — this trio brings brain, brawn, and big hits to the edge.
Inside Linebackers
Ray Lewis – Baltimore Ravens
- 13× Pro Bowl, 7× First-team All-Pro
- 2× NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2003)
- Super Bowl XXXV MVP and champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2018)
Lewis was the heart and soul of the Ravens — a relentless leader whose passion, power, and play recognition made him one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history.
Jack Lambert – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 9× Pro Bowl, 6× First-team All-Pro
- 4× Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers dynasty
- 1976 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Hall of Fame inductee (1990)
Lambert was an intimidating force over the middle, known for his gap-shooting instincts and no-nonsense toughness in the heart of the Steel Curtain.
James Farrior – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2× Pro Bowl, 1× First-team All-Pro
- 2× Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers
- Over 1,400 career tackles and longtime defensive captain
Farrior was the steady veteran leader behind some of Pittsburgh’s best defenses, bringing consistency, leadership, and tackling excellence year after year.
Ray’s fire, Lambert’s fury, and Farrior’s fundamentals — this linebacker room brings elite energy, championship pedigree, and decades of punishing production.
Slot Cornerbacks
Marlon Humphrey – Baltimore Ravens
- 3× Pro Bowl, 1× First-team All-Pro (2019)
- Over 70 passes defended and 13 career forced fumbles
- Cornerstone of Baltimore’s elite secondary since 2017
Humphrey blends physicality with elite instincts, making him one of the toughest matchups in the slot — a modern shutdown defender in every sense.
Mike Hilton – Cincinnati Bengals
- One of the league’s top blitzing slot corners
- Known for clutch turnovers and big-play production
- Anchored the Bengals’ defense during their Super Bowl LVI run
Hilton plays with relentless energy and intelligence, delivering timely plays that swing momentum — a slot specialist with an edge.
Deshea Townsend – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 12-year NFL career, all with the Steelers
- 2× Super Bowl Champion (XL, XLIII)
- Versatile and dependable presence in the secondary
Townsend was a quiet technician — reliable in coverage and physical against the run, helping guide Pittsburgh’s dominant defenses of the 2000s.
Whether it’s Humphrey’s lockdown coverage, Hilton’s timely blitz, or Townsend’s veteran savvy — this slot unit is built for chaos and composure alike.
Cornerbacks
Charles Woodson – Oakland Raiders
- 9× Pro Bowl, 4× First-Team All-Pro
- 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2021)
Woodson was a generational talent in the secondary, capable of locking down top receivers and baiting QBs into turnovers with elite instincts.
Rod Woodson – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 11× Pro Bowl, 6× First-Team All-Pro
- NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2009)
One of the greatest DBs ever, Rod Woodson had blazing speed, elite ball skills, and a nose for game-changing plays.
Mel Blount – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 5× Pro Bowl, 4× First-Team All-Pro
- 2× NFL interceptions leader
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1989)
So dominant that the NFL changed the rules — Blount redefined what physicality at the position looked like.
Willie Brown – Oakland Raiders
- 9× Pro Bowl, 5× All-Pro selections
- Super Bowl XI Champion
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1984)
Brown was one of the original shutdown corners, a ballhawk with historic pick-sixes.
Albert Lewis – Kansas City Chiefs
- 4× Pro Bowl selections
- 12 blocked kicks in career — an all-time high for a CB
- Member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame
Lewis was long, explosive, and a menace on special teams as well as in coverage.
Lemar Parrish – Cincinnati Bengals
- 8× Pro Bowl selection
- 47 career interceptions
- Bengals Ring of Honor inductee
Parrish was a flashy playmaker with elite return skills and sticky coverage.
You won’t find a deeper group of Hall of Fame-level cornerbacks — a perfect mix of speed, power, and pure intimidation on the edges.
Free Safeties
Ed Reed – Baltimore Ravens
- 5x First-Team All-Pro, 9x Pro Bowl selection
- 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2019)
Reed was a game-breaking safety with unmatched instincts and ball-hawking skills, routinely flipping momentum with clutch interceptions and highlight-reel returns.
Rod Woodson – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 11x Pro Bowl, 6x First-Team All-Pro
- NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2009)
Though Woodson was elite at cornerback, his move to free safety late in his career showed his versatility and football IQ, allowing him to extend his dominance in the secondary.
Ryan Clark – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 1x Pro Bowl selection (2011)
- Super Bowl XLIII Champion with Steelers
- Over 100 career starts with Pittsburgh
Clark brought leadership and toughness to the Steelers’ secondary, forming a feared duo with Troy Polamalu and serving as the steady last line of defense.
With Ed Reed’s brilliance, Rod Woodson’s versatility, and Ryan Clark’s grit, this free safety group balances elite instincts with proven leadership.
Strong Safeties
Troy Polamalu – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 8x Pro Bowl, 4x First-Team All-Pro
- 2x Super Bowl Champion (XL, XLIII)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2020)
Polamalu redefined the strong safety role with his explosive play style, incredible timing, and signature leaps over the line of scrimmage — a true defensive wildcard.
Donnie Shell – Pittsburgh Steelers
- 5x Pro Bowl, 3x First-Team All-Pro
- 4x Super Bowl Champion with the Steel Curtain defense
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2020)
Shell was a rock in the secondary for the Steelers dynasty, delivering big hits and smarter coverage across 14 legendary seasons in Pittsburgh.
Chuck Clark – Baltimore Ravens
- Full-time starter from 2019 to 2022
- Defensive signal-caller and leader of Ravens secondary
- Over 380 career tackles and multiple forced fumbles
Clark brought intelligence, toughness, and communication skills to Baltimore’s back end, often quarterbacking the defense while bringing downhill power.
This strong safety room blends Troy’s flash, Shell’s championship toughness, and Clark’s leadership — a perfectly balanced hammer in the AFC North.
Defensive Coordinators
Dick LeBeau – Pittsburgh Steelers
- Legendary architect of the “Zone Blitz” defense
- Defensive coordinator for two Steelers Super Bowl wins (XL, XLIII)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (2010) as a player
LeBeau revolutionized defensive football with aggressive blitz schemes that defined Pittsburgh’s identity in the 2000s. His coaching legacy is second to none.
Marvin Lewis – Baltimore Ravens / Cincinnati Bengals
- Defensive coordinator for 2000 Super Bowl Champion Ravens
- Head coach of Bengals for 16 seasons
- Known for building dominant linebacker cores and smart defenses
Before becoming a head coach, Lewis masterminded one of the greatest defenses in NFL history with the 2000 Ravens, blending discipline with intensity.
Rex Ryan – Baltimore Ravens
- Defensive coordinator for Ravens (2005–2008)
- Led #1 ranked defense in 2006
- Later became Jets head coach, known for brash, aggressive style
Rex brought energy, aggression, and chaos — perfect for unleashing playmakers and overwhelming offenses in the AFC North trenches.
With LeBeau’s chessboard mind, Marvin’s discipline, and Rex’s swagger, this DC crew could outsmart and outmuscle any offense in the league.
Conclusion
If you were assembling an all-time NFL squad with grit, pedigree, and pain tolerance, you’d struggle to find a nastier, more complete unit than the AFC North.
The offense hits you with Jim Brown in the backfield, Otto Graham under center, and a Hall of Fame wall blocking for days. The defense? Ray Lewis and Troy Polamalu are screaming into the backfield while Ed Reed casually ruins another quarterback’s day. And don’t even look at the backups — they’re headliners on any other team.
It’s not just the star power — it’s the violence, the culture, the cold-weather savagery. This team doesn’t flinch. It hits, it grinds, and it wins.
The AFC North didn’t just build contenders. They built legacies — one bruised rib at a time.
FAQ: All-Time AFC North Depth Chart
Who is the quarterback on the all-time AFC North team?
Otto Graham gets the starting nod, backed by Ben Roethlisberger and Lamar Jackson. Between them: MVPs, Super Bowl rings, rushing records, and a legacy of clutch performances and chaos creation.
Who are the greatest offensive players in AFC North history?
Jim Brown, Anthony Muñoz, Antonio Brown, and Ozzie Newsome headline an offense built to dominate on the ground and in the air. It’s a mix of historic legends and modern marvels, all grounded in toughness.
Which defensive players made the AFC North all-time team?
Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Joe Greene, and T.J. Watt anchor one of the most terrifying defensive units ever assembled — with enough Hall of Fame talent to shut down any era of football.
Why is this team so loaded?
The AFC North has been a factory for elite talent, dynastic defenses, and clutch offensive stars for over 50 years. With multiple Super Bowl-winning franchises and a commitment to physical, playoff-caliber football, this division consistently delivers greatness — and pain.
How were the players selected?
Only what each player did while part of an AFC North team was considered — no bonus points for other teams. We prioritized dominance, legacy, accolades, and postseason impact while building out both starters and elite backups.
Is this the best all-time division team in NFL history?
That’s up for debate — and we invite it. But this AFC North squad has the grit, the rings, and the names to punch with anyone. Stack them against the NFC West, NFC East, or anyone else — just don’t expect to win the line of scrimmage.
Explore Other All-Time NFL Division Depth Charts:
AFC All-Time NFL Depth Charts
- All-Time AFC East NFL Depth Chart
- All-Time AFC North NFL Depth Chart
- All-Time AFC South NFL Depth Chart
- All-Time AFC West NFL Depth Chart
NFC All-Time NFL Depth Charts
- All-Time NFC East NFL Depth Chart
- All-Time NFC North NFL Depth Chart
- All-Time NFC South NFL Depth Chart
- All-Time NFC West NFL Depth Chart
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