Where Does the Steelers Safety Room Stand Amongst the AFC North Ahead of 2026?
The AFC North is headlined by standout safeties such as Ravens two-time First Team All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and Steelers three-time First Team All-Pro safety Jalen Ramsey. Even behind these All-Pros, there are plenty of great safeties in the division, one that’s been built on aggression for decades. The former Super Bowl champion Ramsey is 31, but his play hasn’t fallen off. After being traded to the Steelers from the Miami Dolphins before the 2025 season, the Tennessee native was moved to safety five games in and found his home there, earning his eighth Pro Bowl nod. Hamilton, however, is only 25 years old and has already been named to three Pro Bowls, earning two First Team All-Pro nods and one Second Team All-Pro selection. The Bengals made a big free-agency move to keep up, signing Bryan Cook to a three-year, $40.25 million contract. The Browns have Grant Delpit, who’s played well for them, and they hope he can continue to do so. Behind the big-name starters, which AFC North team stands tall at the safety position?
Behind Super Bowl LVI Champion, the Steelers signed former Bears safety Jaquan Brisker to a one-year $5.5 million contract and signed DeShon Elliot to a two-year $12.5 million extension. Despite playing just five games in 2025, Elliot has proven his place in the Steel City and has routinely made big plays. Prior to his injury last season, the Steelers’ defense played better and communicated better, in large part due to the six-foot safety’s leadership. Brisker leaves Chicago with plenty of gas in the tank. Pittsburgh’s deal with him seems like a steal, as the 27-year-old had more than 100 tackles in his first two years. The Ravens took Malaki Starks with the 27th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft to pair alongside Hamilton. He struggled slightly in his rookie season, missing 12 tackles and allowing close to a 70% completion rate while in coverage, but the 22-year-old has such a high ceiling that it’s easy to predict Baltimore's safety room will be the best in a few years. Veteran Jaylinn Hawkins slides in behind the two youngsters and can provide a great cushion if Starks cannot improve in his second season.
Delpit had a great season last year with Cleveland, recording 89 tackles, three sacks, and one interception. Now playing under their new defensive coordinator, Mike Rutenberg, he can expect his role in the Browns' defense to increase. The biggest move the Browns made was landing Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The six-foot-two safety out of Toledo was regarded as one of the best safeties in the draft, and falling to Cleveland will work out great for them. Ronnie Hickman was also re-signed, and with a tendency to play free safety, he pairs well with Delpit when Cleveland runs a two-high look. Cook is the headline in Cincinnati, but last season he had 85 tackles and no turnovers. He only has five total turnovers in his career, and his physical style of play likely means that he’ll simply slide in and be dependable for the Bengals, not a standout. Jordan Battle looks great, having a breakout season in year three with 125 tackles and four interceptions. The 25-year-old has a very good-looking career ahead of him. The Bengals also signed former Steelers safety Kyle Dugger. He showed flashes with the black and gold, but did more to hurt the Steelers than help them in the latter part of the season.
A division built on grit, hate, and aggression, the safeties of the AFC North fit that mold perfectly. The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best safeties of the 2010s and 2020s in Ramsey, who is destined for the Hall of Fame upon retirement. The Ravens duo of Hamilton and Starks looks great for the future, as does the Browns duo of Delpit and McNeil-Warren, but with three proven and capable safeties in the works in Pittsburgh, paired with what new offensive coordinator Patrick Graham brings to the Steelers, their safety room comes in as the most promising ahead of 2026.
