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 nearly made it to the Super Bowl with a rookie quarterback last year. QB Joe Flacco began slow, but managed the offense well in the second half of the season. He returns as a nice fantasy backup option in 2009. Veteran QB Troy Smith returns as the backup, while QB Kyle Boller was ditched, as the team signed QB John Beck for depth. In the running game, RB Willis McGahee had another inconsistent season, losing a lot of carries to RB Le’Ron McClain. McGahee underwent another off-season surgery, leaving second-year RB Ray Rice to see most of the workload at tailback, while McClain was shifted back to a more traditional fullback role in the recent mini-camp. But that doesn’t mean McClain won’t see time at tailback and/or at the goal when needed this coming season. Rice could be the big benefactor of this RBBC plan in 2009. The team hasn’t done much to upgrade the wideout corps. Veteran WR Derrick Mason is another year older and coming off a shoulder injury. He’s still the #1 WR, though. WR Mark Clayton and WR Demetrius Williams also return, while the team signed WR Kelley Washington, whom will be given a chance to win the #3 WR job. If healthy, Clayton should start opposite Mason. Veteran TE Todd Heap returns, but continues to deal with injuries. To that end, the team signed veteran TE L.J. Smith. Of course, Smith has also had more than his fair share of injuries recently. TE Quinn Sypniewski is still rehabbing a torn ACL suffered this time last year. Bottom Line: Don’t expect much once again from this group of tight ends in terms of fantasy production. Veteran PK Matt Stover has been cast aside to save money, as the team is hoping unknown and inexperienced PK Steve Hauschka can fill the void. Yeah, good luck with that. Quick Draft Summary: The team drafted a tight end and a tailback late in the draft, mostly for depth and developmental reasons. The other rookies are defensive players and an offensive lineman.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals were a mess in 2008, primarily due to an elbow injury to QB Carson Palmer. Without as healthy Palmer, the Bengals passing game was stunted due to the inability of backup QB Bryan Fitzpatrick to generate any kind of significant passing production. Well, Palmer is said to be 100% and has looked sharp in recent OTAs, although I have my doubts whether his elbow will hold up for the entire 16-game schedule. Fitzpatrick is gone, replaced by QB J.T. O’Sullivan, a more suitable backup in the Bengals offense. In the running game, RB Chris Perry began the season as the starter last year, but struggled late so much he was replaced and ultimately released. The team signed RB Cedric Benson off the scrap heap. Knowing he had to produce to keep his job, Benson actually plowed ahead for some decent fantasy numbers late in 2008. The team re-signed Benson, whom is in line to start in 2009. Let’s call him a decent #3 fantasy RB right now. Veteran RB Kenny Watson returns as the backup, while RB DeDe Dorsey was signed for depth. The team also drafted two tailbacks late for depth and acquired RB Brian Leonard from the Rams to try as a 3rd-down RB option. As for the wideout corps, WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh left via free agency for Seattle, while the team signed WR Laveranues Coles to fill his position. Coles is getting older, but remains an interesting #3 fantasy WR option. WR Chad Johnson had his worst season as a pro last year without Palmer on the field. His name is now WR Chad Ochocinco, and taking him during your fantasy draft is a very risky proposition. Veteran WR Chris Henry has stayed out of trouble and returns as a deep threat. The Bengals want second-year WR Andre Caldwell to bloom and mature into a solid threat, but doubts creep in here for a player who pretty much was invisible his rookie season. Veteran WR Antonio Chatman and second-year WR Jerome Simpson return for depth. TE Ben Utecht and TE Reggie Kelly return as the primary option. Utecht still has some fantasy potential, provided Palmer stays healthy. The Bengals drafted TE Chase Coffman in the third round, hoping he can provide a boost to a tight end corps lacking in production. PK Shayne Graham remains one of the better kickers in the league, but his scoring chances went in the toilet last year due to Palmer’s injury. The Bengals franchised Graham to keep him, so he returns as an interesting fantasy backup, but one with starting potential should the offense get back on track. Quick Draft Summary: Other than Coffman, most of the rest of the players drafted were offensive linemen or defensive players. Two late-round tailbacks and a wide receiver won't make much of an immediate impact, if any at all.

Cleveland Browns: After nearly making the playoffs in 2007, the Browns completely fell apart in 2008, falling into last place in the AFC North. The problems began at the top with the coaching and the quarterback situation. Entering 2009, new coaches are on board and QB Derek Anderson is assured of nothing. He struggled badly in 2008, losing his job to QB Brady Quinn. In fact, Anderson was on the trading block this off-season, but no team acquired him, so he’ll return to likely back up Quinn. Fantasy value? Let’s just say neither Browns QB is in my top 20. In the running game, RB Jamal Lewis returns as the starter despite barely rushing for 1,000 yards in 2008 and scoring only four times. RB Jerome Harrison returns to back him up, while RB Jason Wright was not re-signed. Wildcard RB/WR/KR Josh Cribbs ran the wildcat offense last year and is expected to be a bigger part of the team’s offense as well as defense in 2009. One problem. Cribbs was promised a new contract by the old regime, only to find out the new management and owner Randy Lerner are balking at redoing his deal. As a result, Cribbs is sitting out off-season events and is expected to formally ask for a trade if the team doesn’t come through with a new contract. This is one situation the Browns need to rectify by giving the kid a new deal. In the passing game, WR Braylon Edwards returns as the #1 WR, but he’s coming off a terrible season where he dropped nearly as many passes as he caught. Edwards was also on the trading block, but the team failed to move him. And then there’s WR Donte Stallworth. He ran over a person and killed him this off-season. He’ll be lucky if he doesn’t get 20 years in jail. Veteran WR David Patten and WR Mike Furrey were signed almost as afterthoughts, but one of them might be forced into starting action. Veteran WR Joe Jurevicius wasn’t re-signed, meaning 2nd-round draft picks WR Brian Robiskie and WR Mohamed Massaquoi will be looked upon to produce almost immediately. This corps is a mess in fantasy terms. Meanwhile, the most valuable and productive part of the passing game, TE Kellen Winslow, was shipped to Tampa Bay via trade. I’m sure he’s more than happy to be out of Cleveland. That leaves newly signed TE Robert Royal to start in his absence. Royal was a borderline fantasy backup as a Bill, so don’t expect much from him as a Brown. Veteran TE Steve Heiden and second-year TE Martin Rucker return to provide depth. PK Phil Dawson returns, but will be lucky to see 20 FGA’s, making him a risky fantasy draft pick. Quick Draft Summary: The Browns mostly took defensive players with the rest of the draft picks.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers won it all in 2008. And since they won it all, they didn’t feel the need to change much this off-season. The coaching staff remained the same and the only major changes are the fact they lost their primary backup QB and switched #3 WRs. Anyway, QB Ben Roethlisberger returns as the starter coming off a decent season, yet somewhat disappointing for fantasy owners. Big Ben wasn’t Big for his fantasy owners. After throwing 32 TDs in 2007, he only managed 17 in 2008. He should rebound a bit in 2009, but expecting anything close to 32 would likely be asking for too much. Backup QB Byron Leftwich left for Tampa Bay, while QB Charlie Batch was re-signed to back up Big Ben. In the running game, RB Willie Parker had a poor season filled with injuries last year. He failed to break 800 rushing yards and scored only five times in 11 games. He returns as the likely starter, but could lose significant touches to second-year RB Rashard Mendenhall, whose rookie season was cut short due to injury. Veteran RB Mewelde Moore was the big surprise, filling in nicely when called upon, while scoring five times himself. Parker is in his contract year, and has vowed not to create waves. That’s motivation for a rebound in itself. But this could become quite the RBBC if Mendenhall matures into a well-rounded player. In the passing game, WR Santonio Holmes returns as the big-play receiver, but is still prone to injuries here and there. He'll start alongside veteran WR Hines Ward, whom just received a contract extension, one that likely will allow him to end his career as a Steeler. Both receivers appear set as solid #3 fantasy WR producers. Veteran WR Nate Washington left for a nice contract from the Titans, as the Steelers signed WR Shaun McDonald to compete for the #3 WR position alongside second-year WR Limas Sweed. Third-round draft pick WR Mike Wallace was drafted for depth. TE Heath Miller remains the starting tight end, and a decent fantasy starter in larger leagues. PK Jeff Reed returns, and deserves a look as a fantasy backup. Quick Draft Summary: The Steelers drafted four defensive players, two offensive lineman, a tailback and a tight end in the latter rounds this past April.

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears: The Bears failed to make the playoff once again, so they made the surprise move of the 2009 off-season, acquiring QB Jay Cutler in trade with the Denver Broncos in return for draft picks and QB Kyle Orton. Cutler will help the passing game, but unfortunately, the Bears don’t have the quality receivers that the Broncos have on their roster. That means Cutler will struggle to be an elite fantasy QB as a Bear. QB Rex Grossman was not re-signed, as the Bears chose to sign former Panthers QB Brett Basanez to back up Cutler. In the running game, second-year RB Matt Forte did everything for the team as a rookie last year. He returns as the unquestioned starter, although the Bears want him to see less touches to keep him fresh. Despite that, fantasy owners should expect #1 fantasy RB numbers from Forte again this season. RB Kevin Jones was re-signed and could see more time to keep Forte fresh. Veteran RB Adrian Peterson and RB Garrett Wolfe also return for depth. In the passing game, WR Devin Hester took over the #1 WR role last year and showed growing pains, but still has potential for a nice season, especially with Cutler throwing him the rock. WR Rashied Davis also returns, but second-year WR Early Bennett is looking like a nice late-round fantasy sleeper. He played college ball with Cutler and the coaches expect big things from him, slotting him in as the starter opposite Hester. Veteran WR Brandon Lloyd was not re-signed, while WR Brandon Rideau returns for depth. The team drafted three wideouts in April, including third-rounder WR Juaquin Iglesias. Keep an eye on their development. Meanwhile, TE Greg Olsen returns and could have a breakout season with Cutler on board, a quarterback who loves to target his big tight end. TE Desmond Clark also returns, while the team signed TE Michael Gaines as a blocking TE and part-time fullback. PK Robbie Gould remains one of the better kickers in the league, and could surprise if the Bears new offense bogs down too many times in the red zone, providing Gould with extra FGA’s. Quick Draft Summary: Beyond their three wideouts, the other Bears draft picks this April were defensive players and an offensive lineman.

Detroit Lions: The 2008 Detroit Lions went winless. You can’t get any lower. Gone is the coaching staff. Gone is veteran QB Jon Kitna, traded to the Dallas Cowboys. Veteran QB Daunte Culpepper is in line to start, while top draft pick QB Matthew Stafford waits his turn. Third-year QB Drew Stanton returns, but isn’t guaranteed of being a part of the Lions’ future with Stafford on the team. In the running game, second-year RB Kevin Smith returns as the starter, and has nice appeal as a top 20 fantasy RB. Veteran RB Maurice Morris was signed to keep Smith fresh, while RB Aveion Cason was re-signed for depth. Nearly the entire receiving corps has been overhauled with the exception of WR Calvin Johnson, whom returns as the primary fantasy producing threat on this team beyond Smith. With WR Roy Williams traded to the Cowboys during last season, the Lions signed WR Bryant Johnson and WR Ronald Curry to fill the #2 and #3 WR roles. Both WR Mike Furrey and WR Shaun McDonald are gone. WR Keary Colbert was signed for depth and the team drafted WR Derrick Williams in the third round this April. TE Dan Campbell is gone, as the team signed veteran TE Will Heller and drafted TE Brandon Pettigrew in the first round. At least the new coaching staff knew that changes had to be made offensively if the Lions are to win any amount of games in 2009. The one constant here remains PK Jason Hanson. He was re-signed, but is a risky fantasy pick until the offense shows it can produce in a consistent manner. Quick Draft Summary: The rest of the Lions draft class is filled with defensive players, an offensive lineman, another tight end (7th round), and a tailback (6th round) taken for developmental reasons.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers were competitive last season, but slumped to a losing record. At least QB Aaron Rodgers stepped up and produced more than well enough for coaches and fans to know the team made the right choice in trading QB Brett Favre away to the Jets. Rodgers is a top 5 fantasy QB in 2009. QB Brian Brohm and QB Matt Flynn return to back up Rodgers. In the running game, RB Ryan Grant had a so-so season after holding out due to a contract dispute. Look for Grant to rebound into a more consistent fantasy producer in 2009 with a full off-season with the team under his belt. RB Brandon Jackson returns to back-up Grant, while RB DeShawn Wynn returns for depth. In the passing game, WR Greg Jennings returns as the clear #1 WR, although WR Donald Driver can still provide some pop at the #2 WR position. Injuries cost WR James Jones most of his 2008 season, as he returns, along with second-year WR Jordy Nelson. They will battle for the #3 WR slot position. WR Ruvell Martin returns again for depth. At tight end, TE Donald Lee returns as the starter, but is an inconsistent fantasy producer. TE Tory Humphrey was re-signed for depth, as second-year TE Jermichael Finley continues to develop. PK Mason Crosby is a top 10 fantasy talent, but one prone to a bad game here and there. Still, I wouldn’t let that stop me from drafting him this summer. Quick Draft Summary: The Packers drafted a fullback, offensive linemen and defensive players this April.

Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings won their division last year, but fell short of the Super Bowl. The issue for the team remains inconsistent play at the quarterback position. To that end, they acquired QB Sage Rosenfels to compete with QB Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job. They let QB Gus Frerotte go and are flirting with the idea of signing retired QB Brett Favre if his health isn’t a serious issue later this summer. Until the Favre situation comes to a head, I’d avoid drafting any Vikings quarterback. Rosenfels should win the job if Favre stays retired, but that might not come to fruition until August. One thing that is not in question is the fact RB Adrian Peterson is not only the starter, but a top 2 fantasy STUD RB. If he can get over his fumbling issues and stay healthy, he could have a huge season. RB Chester Taylor will back him up and provide a change of pace here and there. Don’t overlook Taylor in your fantasy draft, as he produced top 30 fantasy RB numbers last season in this role. In the passing game, WR Bernard Berrian returns as the clear #1 WR. He’s a top 25 fantasy WR with top 20 potential with the right QB leading the team. WR Sidney Rice and WR Bobby Wade return, while the team drafted WR Percy Harvin in the first round of April’s draft. Rice and Harvin will compete to start, while Wade likely fills the #3 WR role. WR Glenn Holt was signed for depth. Meanwhile, TE Visanthe Shiancoe developed into a second tier fantasy TE producer in 2008. He can generate the occasional big game, but isn’t quite consistent enough to warrant a top 10 fantasy ranking. TE Jim Kleinsasser returns to back up Shiancoe and also provide solid blocking. PK Ryan Longwell surprised many last season with his fantasy production. I drafted him in multiple leagues and enjoyed his rebound season. Look for success to continue for Longwell in 2009. Quick Draft Summary: Besides Harvin, the Vikings drafted three defensive players and an offensive lineman.

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