When news broke Monday morning that the Pittsburgh Steelers had traded for star cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins, it sent shockwaves through the AFC North. The already competitive division just got tougher — and Pittsburgh’s rivals took notice.
While the Steelers’ defense outside of T.J. Watt wasn’t much of a concern last season, the addition of Ramsey, joining fellow veteran corner Darius Slay and rising talent Joey Porter Jr., suddenly gives them a formidable secondary. It’s a unit that could rival the Baltimore Ravens for the top spot in the division.
However, Pittsburgh’s secondary still has question marks. Fan-favorite safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was part of the rare player-for-player deal that brought Ramsey to town. Though safety DeShon Elliott was re-signed this offseason, the Steelers will now rely on Miles Killebrew or Juan Thornhill to step up in Fitzpatrick’s absence.
This bold move follows another major AFC North acquisition just a week earlier. The Ravens landed former Packers All-Pro corner Jaire Alexander after his unexpected release. He reunites with college teammate Lamar Jackson and will form a shutdown duo with Marlon Humphrey. First-round pick Nate Wiggins, who shined in his rookie campaign, rounds out Baltimore’s cornerback group.
The Ravens’ secondary holds a clear edge with the presence of standout safety Kyle Hamilton, one of the league’s brightest young stars. Beside him is rookie Malaki Starks, widely considered the best safety prospect in the 2025 draft. With starter Ar’Darius Washington out with an Achilles injury, Starks is expected to make an immediate impact. A seasoned SEC veteran, he’s seen as more than capable of filling the role.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta didn’t stop there — he added more depth by selecting corners Bilhal Kone (Western Michigan) and Robert Longerbeam (Rutgers) in the sixth round, and signing veteran Chidobe Awuzie to add experience to the mix.
Pittsburgh’s move for Ramsey adds to their aggressive offseason, which also included blockbuster acquisitions of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver DK Metcalf. The Steelers are clearly pushing for a Super Bowl run in what could be Rodgers’ final NFL season.
Still, before the playoffs, they’ll need to survive the gauntlet that is the AFC North. The Bengals remain dangerous behind Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, leading one of the most explosive passing attacks in recent memory.
But it’s the Ravens who stand out as the most complete offensive unit. Baltimore led the league in 2024 with more than 424 yards per game, thanks to the lethal combination of Jackson and Derrick Henry in the backfield. Now, with the addition of former All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, their passing game is just as scary.
While the Ravens may currently have the edge in the secondary, the true test will come on the field. The Steelers and Ravens won’t meet until Week 13, with their rematch slated for the final week of the regular season — games that could have massive implications in what promises to be a hard-fought race for the AFC North crown.
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