June is nearly here, and it's time to take a closer look at the North Division teams to see how they are shaping up coming off May mini-camps. Let’s get right to it…

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens rebounded last season with a playoff berth thanks in part to the arrival of QB Steve McNair onto the scene. But McNair couldn't lead the team past the Colts, and although McNair is a smart veteran, he's also still injury prone and has seen his best fantasy producing games pass him by. QB Kyle Boller returns to back up McNair in 2007. The Ravens were mostly a spectator in free agency, but the one big move they made was letting RB Jamal Lewis sign with the Cleveland Browns and trading to acquire RB Willis McGahee from the Buffalo Bills. Behinda solid line like the one the Ravens have, McGahee could easily be a top 10 fantasy STUD RB in 2007. RB Mike Anderson and RB Musa Smith return to back up McGahee, but word from the team has McGahee more involved in the passing game, much more than Lewis ever was. That brings us to the inconsistent Ravens passing game and an unhappy WR Derrick Mason. Mason was reunited with McNair last summer, and big things were expected from the two. Instead, they fizzled and Mason isn't thrilled about returning. WR Mark Clayton made more of an impact than Mason, as many assume he'll be the team's new #1 WR threat. Unfortunately, the bread and butter of the Ravens will always be their running game. WR Demetrius Williams, WR Clarence Moore, and WR Devard Darling return for depth purposes. Williams is fast and can stretch the field with potential, but lacks consistency. TE Todd Heap remains the only real consistent fantasy threat in the passing game, when he's healthy. Simply put, Heap remains one of the elite fantasy threats at his position. PK Matt Stover returns again and will continue to provide solid fantasy production at a relatively cheap rate. Quick Draft Summary: The only position player taken in the draft that wasn't defensive or an offensive lineman was 4th-round draft pick FB Le'Ron McClain. Don't expect much more than blocking from this fullback.

Cincinnati Bengals: After surprisingly making the playoffs in 2005, the Bengals slumped back to a .500 club with a bunch of law-breakers on the team. Fortunately, QB Carson Palmer returns to lead a very potent fantasy producing offense. Palmer is healthy and remains near the top of the fantasy rankings at his position. QB Anthony Wright left via free agency, while QB Doug Johnson was re-signed to backup Palmer. RB Rudi Johnson has become one of the most consistent fantasy STUD RBs in the league, and that should continue in 2007. Backup RB Chris Perry is still injured, and may not be healthy in time for the season, leading the team to take RB Kenny Irons in April's NFL draft. RB Kenny Watson was re-signed for depth purposes. At the wideout position, the team is very deep, even though WR Chris Henry was suspended for the first 8 games this off-season due to his various brushes with the law. WR Chad Johnson and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh return once again as one of the most success tandems at wideout the Bengals have ever produced. Although WR Kelley Washington left via free agency, WR Tab Perry is a capable #3 WR if he can stay healthy. If not, WR Antonio Chatman will get his chance to impress. TE Reggie Kelly returns, but the tight end position remains a small fantasy producer on this team. PK Shayne Graham had another solid year last season, and has become a popular top 5 fantasy kicker in summer drafts. Quick Draft Summary: The Bengals drafted a QB in the 5th round, but he's not expected to make any kind of impact this season. An offensive lineman and defensive players with good character made up the rest of the team's 2007 draft class.

Cleveland Browns: Once again, the Browns were a big disappointment in 2006. QB Charlie Frye got off to a fast start last season, but faded and was replaced by QB Derek Anderson after suffering an injury. This April, the Browns drafted QB Brady Quinn, but aren't handing him the starting job just yet. It's an open competition, one in which Frye believes he'll win. QB Ken Dorsey returns for depth purposes. In the running game, RB Reuben Droughns was traded to the Giants after RB Jamal Lewis was signed to start for the Browns in 2007. This may be the final chance for Lewis to show he's still a quality starting NFL tailback. RB Jerome Harrison and RB Jason Wright return to provide depth and backup Lewis. FB Alan Ricard was signed by the Browns to be the lead blocker for Lewis. The receiving corps returns pretty much intact. WR Braylon Edwards has gone through a bit of an attitude adjustment, rededicating himself to the team. We'll see if that translates into bigger fantasy numbers. WR Joe Jurevicius also returns to fill the other starting job. WR Tim Carter was acquired in the Droughns trade to fill the #3 WR job. I didn't care for him as a Giant, and don't think he'll make a real impact for the Browns either. WR Dennis Northcutt flew the coop to Jacksonville via free agency. TE Kellen Winslow had more surgery on his knee, but is expected to be ready for training camp, at least that's the company line. His talent is undeniable, but his health is cause for real concern. TE Steve Heiden returns to fill any void left by a recovering Winslow, along with TE Darnell Dinkens. TE Ryan Krause was signed for depth purposes. PK Phil Dawson returns, but remains only a decent fantasy backup in larger leagues. Quick Draft Summary: The Browns drafter five defensive players and big OT Joe Thomas, who should help open more holes for Lewis.

Pittsburgh Steelers: After winning it all in 2005, the Steelers failed to make the playoffs in 2006. QB Ben Roethlisberger wrecked his motorcycle last summer, and eventually wrecked the Steelers' playoff hopes. But it wasn't all his fault. Big Ben had his bad games, but he also still showed some long-term promise. With a new head coach, Roethlisberger could rebound, but he's unlikely to become a quality fantasy starter, at least not jet. QB Charlie Batch returns to back up Roethlisberger. In the running game, RB Willie Parker proved he can carry the full load with a big season last year, making him a top 10 fantasy STUD RB heading into 2007 in most leagues. RB Verron Haynes was cut, but is still working out at the team's facility rehabbing from knee surgery. He hopes to re-sign with the team come training camp. Meanwhile, the Steelers signed RB Kevan Barlow to back up Parker, along with RB Najeh Davenport. WR Hines Ward returns as the #1 wideout, while second-year WR Santonio Holmes should fill the #2 WR slot after surging to end the 2006 season. WR Cedric Wilson and WR Nate Washington return to fill the #3 and #4 WR jobs. TE Heath Miller remains the starting tight end, and a great fantasy backup in 12-team or smaller leagues. TE Jerame Tuman returns to provide depth at the position. PK Jeff Reed returns, but suffered through lack of scoring chances in 2006, likely making him only a fantasy backup in 2007 at best. Quick Draft Summary: The Steelers drafted TE Matt Spaeth in the third round. He should provide a boost at that position for the team. 7th-round draft pick WR Dallas Baker could find it tough to make the final roster. The other Steelers picks were defensive players and an offensive lineman.


NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears: The Bears surprisingly made the Super Bowl last year, but lost to the Colts in the big game. QB Rex Grossman began the season on fire, but ended up struggling to lead the team to the promised land. In fact, one might say the Bears made it to the Super Bowl despite Grossman at the helm. He returns as the starter in 2007, but will have to improve his game if he wants to end the season on the field of play, and not on the bench. QB Brian Griese returns, just biding his time until he gets his chance. In the running game, RB Thomas Jones was traded to the Jets this off-season, meaning RB Cedric Benson finally becomes the full-time starter. Let's see… an injury prone back with a questionable attitude, given the starting job without earning it. Good move. RB Adrian Peterson returns to back up Benson. WR Bernard Berrian emerged as the big play wideout the Bears desperately needed in 2006. He returns as the #1 WR threat, while consistent WR Muhsin Muhammad will move the chains and provides stability at the position. WR Mark Bradley and WR Rashied Davis provide depth in the receiving corps. TE Desmond Clark surprised last season, by staying healthy most of the year and actually producing decent fantasy numbers. The team drafted TE Greg Olsen to provide another threat for deep over-the-middle passing routes. PK Robbie Gould proved why you should never draft a fantasy kicker early. He came from nowhere to lead the league in kicking for most of the year in 2006. He'll be among the first five kickers drafted in your league this year, for what it's worth. Quick Draft Summary: Third-round draft pick RB Garrett Wolfe is the only other skilled position player drafted by the team. He'll compete to eventually become the primary backup to Benson on the team this summer.

Detroit Lions: Once again, the Lions disappointed in a big way in 2006. However, that doesn't mean this team doesn't have some nice fantasy producers on it. QB Jon Kitna returns as the team's starter. With a revamped and beefed up wideout corps, Kitna is a solid top 10 fantasy QB in most leagues this year. Backup QB Josh McCown was traded to the Raiders in the off-season, leaving QB Dan Orlovsky to battle rookie QB Drew Stanton for the backup job. RB Kevin Jones was in the midst of his finest season in the NFL last year when a serious foot injury struck. Jones is on track in rehab, but nothing is certain that he'll return in time to start come week #1. As a result, the team acquired RB Tatum Bell from the Broncos in trade and signed RB T.J. Duckett for insurance. Bell currently has the inside track to start, but we're a long way from September. RB Shawn Bryson also returns and RB Avieon Cason was re-signed for depth purposes. WR Roy Williams returns as the lead wideout, but the Lions drafted WR Calvin Johnson to start opposite Williams. WR Mike Furrey slides into the slot receiver position. WR Mike Williams was traded to the Raiders. WR Shaun McDonald and WR Marcus Robinson were signed for depth purposes. McDonald will likely stick as the #4 WR, which could leave WR/KR Eddie Drummond out of a job. TE Marcus Pollard left via free agency for Seattle, leaving TE Dan Campbell and TE Casey FitzSimmons as the pass-catching and blocking tight ends. TE Eric Beverly was signed for depth purposes. PK Jason Hanson is still an ageless wonder. He remains one of the most accurate kickers in the game, and should see enough scoring chances to be worth a look by fantasy owners this summer. Quick Draft Summary: The rest of the Lions draft class is filled with defensive players and an offensive lineman.

Green Bay Packers: The first thing everyone should know is the fact that QB Brett Favre has returned for at least one more season. Although he hasn't been thrilled with the team's less than spectacular off-season moves and inability to acquire WR Randy Moss, he's towing the company line, at least at this time. Favre is Favre. That means you'll get some multi-interception games to go along with a few 3+ TD games. He's still a quality fantasy play and borderline top 10 fantasy QB. QB Aaron Rogers returns to wait in line behind Favre until he retires. RB Ahman Green left via free agency for Houston, leaving a big hole at the tailback position. RB Vernand Morency is the top veteran returning and will battle rookie RB Brandon Jackson for the starting job. RB Noah Herron also returns, but is a better third down back than starter. In the passing game, WR Donald Driver remains the cream of the crop. A perennial top 10 fantasy WR who always seems to be underrated. As long as Favre is playing, Driver is a quality #1 fantasy WR. Second-year WR Greg Jennings had a big first half of his rookie season until an ankle injury limited his effectiveness. The Pack need him to step it up if they are to advance to the playoffs. Veteran WR Robert Ferguson also returns, but continues to rehab a serious career-threatening foot injury. Hopefully, third-round draft pick WR James Jones and fifth-rounder WR David Clowney can infuse a bit of youth and speed to this receiving corps. TE Bubba Franks had a terrible 2006 season, often disappearing when the Pack needed him the most. Franks ran behind TE Donald Lee at last week's mini-camp. Lee is a serious threat, but always seems to be injured. That was the case with TE David Martin, who signed with the Dolphins during the free agency rush. PK Dave Rayner had a quality season in his first as the Packers place-kicker, but the team drafted PK Mason Crosby this April, and the battle for the starting job might not be settled until the preseason comes and goes. Quick Draft Summary: Seventh-round draft pick RB Deshawn Wynn has already had injury issues, which won't enhance his chances of making the team. Seventh-round draft pick TE Clark Harris might sneak onto the team due to the injury issues the Packers always seem to have at that position.

Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings began fast in 2006, but quickly faded from playoff contention. QB Brad Johnson was the biggest reason for the fade, as he simply wasn't making good decisions. He was eventually benched for rookie QB Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson enters training camp as the team's starter, while Johnson signed with the Cowboys in free agency. QB Brooks Bollinger and QB Drew Henson will battle to back up Jackson. RB Chester Taylor was everything the Vikings needed last year, but slowed down the stretch, possibly due to overuse. As a result, the team drafted RB Adrian Peterson to boost the position. Taylor said that very thought last week, but it's all but a given that Peterson will eventually take over as the starter, although a time-share could exist for much of the coming season. RB Mewelde Moore, RB Ciatrick Fason, and RB Artose Pinner return for depth purposes, although two could be cut by the time September arrives. The wideout position is a mess. Gone is WR Marcus Robinson and WR Travis Taylor. WR Bobby Wade, WR Randy Hymes and WR Cortez Hankton have been signed and WR Troy Williamson returns. Wow, that's one scary corps, and I don't mean scary in a good way. The team blew off WR Keyshawn Johnson as an option before he retired this week, but did draft three wideouts in April, including third-rounder WR Sidney Rice. The Vikings allowed TE Jermaine Wiggins to leave via free agency, as they quickly signed TE Visanthe Shiancoe. He'll share time with TE Jim Kleinsasser. TE Richard Owens returns for depth purposes. PK Ryan Longwell was a bright spot for the team much of last year, but with an inconsistent offense, it appears Longwell's days as a solid fantasy starter are over, at least for 2007. Quick Draft Summary: Seventh-round draft pick QB Tyler Thigpen actually has a chance to earn an important position on the team if he impresses later this summer with the QB situation less than stable.

That does it for the North divisions. Look for my views regarding the teams in the South very shortly.  All comments, complimentary or otherwise, are always welcome via our contact page. Let's talk fantasy football!