The Bengals, Browns and Steelers all had their names attached to notable personnel buzz, and the common thread was pretty clear: a few AFC players are drawing real attention from around the league.
In Cincinnati, Joe Burrow landed fourth in Jeremy Fowler’s quarterback rankings, and one anonymous NFL coordinator didn’t hold back on why the Bengals star keeps getting so much respect. “Best pocket movement in the league, accelerated vision best in the league. Not big or fast, slightly above-average arm, but the other stuff makes him go.”
The same evaluator went even further in describing how Burrow operates. “Burrow doesn’t play in a system.
He is the system. He’s the whole thing.
Such a quick decision-maker. The ball is out.
That ball is OUT. It’s so frustrating.
And when it isn’t out, he’s just waiting for a deep ball to develop. He’s got accuracy, arm strength - a winner.”
Fowler also had Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence on his interior linemen rankings, and an NFC scout was bullish on what the move to Cincinnati could mean for him. “I think he’ll be rejuvenated there.
He wasn’t happy in New York. He’s got to keep his conditioning in check, but when he’s at his best, he’s next to impossible to block.”
In Cleveland, Jeremy Fowler’s running back list included honorable mention recognition for Quinshon Judkins, with one AFC executive pointing to a big season ahead. “Runs incredibly hard, faster in the open field than you’d think. I think he’s going to have a big year.”
The Browns also got a positive note on tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who earned honorable mention on Fowler’s tight end rankings. An NFC executive called him a player on the rise.
“His arrow is up. He’s a chess piece that can maneuver in space.
He should be a 100-catch guy.”
ESPN’s interior linemen rankings also included an honorable mention for Elgton Jenkins ahead of his first season in Cleveland. An AFC executive praised the versatility he brings to the Browns.
“I’m surprised he didn’t have much trade value. I know he’s had durability issues, but he’s a really quality player who can play all over the line.”
Over in Pittsburgh, Joey Porter Jr. is moving toward the final year of his rookie contract in 2026 after starting every game he’s played over the last two seasons, and the money at the cornerback position is making the situation complicated. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo said the market has shifted fast, pointing to the 29-percent rise at the top and Trent McDuffie’s recent Rams deal worth $31 million per year.
“If you look at the corner market, it’s really exploded in the last two years,” Fittipaldo said, via The North Shore Drive podcast. “Back in September of 2024, the Broncos signed Patrick Surtain II to a four-year, $96 million contract, so an average annual salary of $24 million per season.
Since then, there’s been a 29-percent increase at the top of the market. Right now, Trent McDuffie from the Rams is making $31 million a season.
… I think teams around the league, including the Seahawks and the Patriots, who have Christian Gonzalez, are having a hard time trying to figure out exactly where this market should be.”
Fittipaldo said the Steelers want to keep Porter, but the price point is where things get difficult.
“I think they wanna keep Joey Porter. I think they have to keep Joey Porter.
Because they just don’t have many viable options behind him. But I don’t think they wanna approach the numbers that these other teams are signing these guys to.
So I think that’s what makes it a really tricky negotiation.”
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Mims is now entering the third year of his rookie contract, and the Bengals are positioned to keep building around him with the same offensive line coach and veteran teammates in place. If he keeps playing at this level, the upside is obvious, because the kind of development he showed this year puts him on a path that could eventually put him among the leagues best at his position. [Read more 🡒]