AFC NORTH OFFSEASON FANTASY GRADES

QB-Joe Flacco (C), Troy Smith (D)

RB-LeRon McClain (B), Willis McGahee (C), Ray Rice (C)

WR-Derrick Mason (C+), Mark Clayton (C), Demetrius Williams (D), Yamon Figurs (F)

TE-Todd Heap (C+), L.J. Smith (C)

K-Steven Hauschka (C)

OUTLOOK: Mason’s alleged retirement may not stick, but if it does, the Ravens lose their top receiving option with no viable candidate on the roster ready to step in. Clayton can’t ever stay healthy, and the depth chart after that is peppered with no-names. All that means is that, for as good as he might eventually be, Flacco is not yet a serious Fantasy option. Better to stick with the running game, preferably McClain, whose workload only figures to increase after his success last year. Rice could be a nice sleeper, as, if healthy, he could bypass McGahee in the rotation.

 

QB-Carson Palmer (B), J.T. O’Sullivan (D)

RB-Cedric Benson (C+), Chris Perry (D+), Brian Leonard (D+)

WR-Chad Ohcocinco (B), Laveranues Coles (C+), Chris Henry (D+), Jerome Simpson (D)

TE-Reggie Kelly (D+), Ben Utecht (D)

K-Shayne Graham (C)

OUTLOOK: The Bengals offense basically shut down last year once Palmer went down for good after Week 5, so it’s hard to judge some of the numbers too harshly. Ochocinco should be in line for a better season, but don’t expect a return to the lofty heights he once reached. Coles should be a nice complement, and if Henry keeps clean, Palmer could put up dangerous numbers with that trio. Benson is an interesting case. He had his moments late last year but has burned many owners who believed in him in the past. Working in his favor is the fact that there is no back-up on the roster who looks like a threat to his job.

 

QB-Brady Quinn (C), Derek Anderson (D)

RB-Jamal Lewis (C+), Jerome Harrison (D), James Davis (D+)

WR-Braylon Edwards (B), Brian Robiskie (D+), David Patten (D), Mohamed Massaquoi (D)

TE-Steve Heiden (C+), Robert Royal (D+)

K-Phil Dawson (C+)

OUTLOOK: While the world watches the quarterback battle (my money’s on Quinn), keep in mind that whoever wins the job has one legitimate receiver on board (Edwards), and he’s coming off a down year. Without Kellen Winslow around and with Donte Stallworth suspended indefinitely, a few rookies need to step up or else the passing game will be lousy. Lewis seems like he’s been around about 100 years, but he is one of the few backs in the league that doesn’t have to deal with a time-sharing situation, so he’s a nice second or third Fantasy option.

 

QB-Ben Roethlisberger (B), Charlie Batch (D+)

RB-Willie Parker (C+), Rashard Mendenhall (C), Mewelde Moore (D+)

WR-Santonio Holmes (B), Hines Ward (B), Shaun McDonald (D+), Limas Sweed (D)

TE-Heath Miller (C+), Matt Spaeth (F)

K-Jeff Reed (B)

OUTLOOK: Ideally the Steelers would like to run the ball more, and a healthy Mendenhall gives them three legitimate options at back. Of course, that kind of situation is a nightmare for Fantasy owners deciding whom to choose. This could finally be the year that Holmes overtakes Ward as the Steelers receiver, building off his fine postseason. Both are excellent Fantasy options though, and McDonald could be a good roster stash in deeper leagues. Roethlisberger is just on the edge of starter material; he doesn’t throw for a ton of yards, but he’s a good bet for at least one TD pass a game.