But leading up to training camp, we’ll give you a work-in-progress view of The Roundtable’s exclusive 100% Correct pre-season rankings.  Now up, Wide Receivers of the AFC North.

Baltimore
The Ravens led the league in rushing attempts last season.  After making it to Conference championship game there’s little reason to think that Baltimore will open up the offence, even though rook Joe Flacco played pretty well, just missing 3,000 yards passing.  At this juncture, we’ll figure Raven’s receivers to more or less produce what they did last season.

Derrick Mason: 80 receptions/1000 yards/5 TDs, low #2/high #3 Fantasy Wide Receiver
Mark Clayton: 45/800/3, bye-weeker/roster filler
Demetrius Williams/Marcus Smith: fantasy free agents

Cincinnati
Carson Palmer’s back in the fold and the Bengals found a running game at the end of the season.  Bob Bratkowski’s been the offensive coordinator since 2001, so you’ll know what to expect if all the skill parts are in place.  If you go with Ochocinco beware for the unexpected; trade demands, suspension, general-jerk-ery.  Laveranues Coles could be the pick here.  He’ll fit right in to the possession receiver role where Houshmandzadeh went over 90 receptions the last three years.

Chad Ochocinco: 90/1400/8, #1 WR is the career average save last year; but we’ll be watching through the pre-season.
Laveranues Coles: 90/1000/6, high #2.  Wouldn’t be surprised to see that reception number higher.
Chris Henry/Andre Caldwell: filler/Ochocinco insurance.  The third WR doesn’t do much historically in this offence, but might be worth a handcuff if you’re going with eight-five.

Cleveland
The Browns tried real hard to deal Braylon Edwards, but couldn’t get the first and third rounders they were looking for.  A Roundtable investigation showed that Edwards case of the drops were just as much his crap QBs fault as it was his own.  If Edwards gets dealt somewhere, he immediately becomes a solid #1 guy again.  Cleveland looks set to start either rooks Brian Robiskie or Mohamed Massaquoi; look for defensive secondarys to put the lid on Braylon and take their chances with the rookies.  We just don’t see Brady Quinn being an NFL QB so look for a tough fantasy season for all involved.

Braylon Edwards: 60/950/6, high #3
Robiskie/Massaquoi: late round rookie flyers that shouldn’t be counted on
David Patten: 30/400/3:  roster filler, if you’re a Browns fan

Pittsburgh
Other than losing their third WR Nate Washington to free agency, you’ve got same offensive system and the same cast of characters.  Hines Ward is another year older, but you have to consider him a solid fantasy option and the Steelers #1 guy until he proves otherwise.  No reason to think that he’s lost the mantle to Mr. Super Bowl Catch.  Santonio Holmes had a great Super Bowl, four catches 73 yards and the TD on that final drive; but those numbers would have been his second best game of his entire season.  We’ll bet that someone in your league will take him higher than he’s worth based on that performance.  If it was his time to overtake Ward, we would have seen it at the end of last year.  In the last three games of the regular season and the playoffs, Ward went for 30 receptions/454 yards and a TD; Holmes 24/371/2, about the same historic reception/yards ratio between the Steelers first and second WRs.  Ward still being the first choice.  Want to think that Limus Sweed will develop into a big play guy, but it’s hard to see how he’ll get two or three catches a game with all the other weapons in this offence.

Hines Ward: 80/1000/5, low #2
Santonio Holmes: 60/900/7,high #3
Limus Sweed: 40/600/7, low #3/bye weaker.  Think he’ll get just enough jump balls in the end zone to make himself worth a fantasy roster spot.

 Fantasy Football Roundtable.  Helping you goof off at work since 2008.