Position Battles to Watch for Fantasy Football 2025: AFC North + NFL Division Winner Predictions
We already covered the AFC East position battles in this article. Now we’re diving into the AFC North, where several roles are still up for grabs—and could shake up your fantasy draft board.
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🔥 AFC North Position Battles (That Could Win You Weeks)
🟣 Baltimore Ravens – Backup RB: Justice Hill vs. Keaton Mitchell
This might seem minor, but it could have flex appeal in deeper leagues. While Justice Hill is listed as the RB2 on most depth charts, Keaton Mitchell flashed serious playmaking in 2023. If Hill holds the job, he’s a deep-bench stash in PPR formats. But if Mitchell takes over? There’s real upside.
✅ Draft Tip: Monitor this camp closely. Mitchell has PPR potential. He will be even more valuable if Derrick Henry is injured. The Ravens are primed to win the AFC North.
🟠 Cincinnati Bengals – Tight End: Gesicki vs. Erick All Jr.
Most roles are set in Cincy, but TE is worth watching. Mike Gesicki should start, but Erick All Jr. could emerge once healthy. He won’t be draftable in most formats, but put him on your waiver watchlist for the second half of the season.
✅ Draft Tip: Ignore in most leagues—but keep All Jr. in your back pocket. Of all the teams, only Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals offer the most interesting challenge to the Ravens in the NFC North.
🟤 Cleveland Browns – Starting RB: Jerome Ford vs. Quinshon Judkins
This could get spicy. ESPN and OurLads still list Jerome Ford as the starter, but rookie Quinshon Judkins is the player I expect to take over by midseason. Judkins is the more dynamic option and may eventually force a committee or outright takeover.
✅ Draft Tip: If you’re in a keeper league, Judkins is your guy.
🖤 Pittsburgh Steelers – RB Committee Chaos?
Arthur Smith is the new OC, and if his past (hello, Bijan) is any indicator, fantasy managers beware. Jaylen Warren is the presumed starter, but I’m high on Kaleb Johnson—he just looks like the better back. To complicate things, Kenneth Gainwell could also siphon touches.
✅ Draft Tip: Avoid this backfield early. But follow camp reports closely.
💣 Bonus: Cleveland Browns QB Battle
Flacco? Gabriel? Sanders? …Pickett?! Let’s just say I hope Kenny Pickett never sees the field. If he does, I’ll be calling for Ohio State to replace the Browns on Sundays. Whoever wins this job inherits a quietly solid WR corps—and could be a fantasy streamer in the right matchup.
✅ Draft Tip: Deep-league flier only. But fun to watch unfold.
🎧 New Podcast Episode: Division Winner Predictions
I just dropped a new episode of The Functional Sportsaholic where I compare my division winner predictions to sportsbook odds. If you want early edges for your bets and draft strategies, give it a listen—it’s just 16 minutes.
🎙️ Listen Here
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