Fantasy Football Projections: AFC North

Fantasy football week is upon us once again. Each FanHouse NFL division writer used their keen insight to predict the top four fantasy football scorers at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.

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Barry Barnes covers the AFC North.


QUARTERBACK

1. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati: 4,300 yards passing, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Palmer you asked? Yes, Palmer didn't have his best season in 2009 with 3,094 passing yards -- his lowest total after playing a full season since 2005 (3,836). When Palmer had receivers such as T.J. Houshmandzadeh (now with the Seattle Seahawks), Chad Ochocinco and the late Chris Henry, he was among the best quarterbacks in the league, averaging a little over 4,000 yards (2006 and 2007). Now with Ochocinco still in place with newcomers like rookies Jermaine Gresham, Jordan Shipley and the one and only Terrell Owens, Palmer will light up the sky. Palmer's interception total will drop because he has a big tight end in Gresham and a slot receiver type in Shipley that will make plays in the middle of the field.

2. Joe Flacco, Baltimore: 4,100 yards passing, 25 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Flacco may have more targets now with the addition of newcomers Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth to help him achieve the 4,000-yard club. But the fact that Baltimore is more balanced than other squads in the AFC North with a solid running game means his numbers will be just below Palmer's. Plus, Palmer can make better throws into traffic than Flacco -- who will still have his best season as a pro.

3. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh: 3,800 yards passing, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Only two reasons why Big Ben will have lower numbers: His suspension and the absence of wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Holmes made the tough catches for Roethlisberger and when plays broke down because of pass protection, Holmes bailed out Roethlisberger countless times. Wide receiver Hines Ward's clock is ticking, but he will be productive. Although the Steelers are becoming more of a passing team, the fact that Roethlisberger will miss four games really hurts his draft value.

4. Jake Delhomme, Cleveland: 3,500 yards passing, 20 touchdowns, 16 interceptions.

If the Browns can protect Delhomme, his numbers will be better because he's the type of quarterback that can help buy time for receivers to make a play.


RUNNING BACKS

1. Ray Rice, Baltimore: 1,300 rushing yards, 10-16 total touchdowns.

Rice will be, after Flacco, the second key to the Ravens' attack. Whether Rice is running from out the backfield or catching the ball on screens and in the flat, he will be a threat to score each time he touches the ball.

2. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati: 1,350-1,500 rushing yards, 10-12 total touchdowns.

Benson missed three games last season and finished strong with the second-best rushing numbers in the AFC North. With the wideouts on the field for the Bengals, Benson will have tons of running room.

3. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh: 1,100-1,350 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns.

Mendenhall had a quiet 1,000 yard season in 2009 and is not much of a fantasy number's guy. If you draft him, use him against teams that struggle against the run.

4. Willie McGahee, Baltimore: 600-800 rushing yards, 12-14 touchdowns.

Out of the 16 starting running backs in the AFC last season, McGahee finished tied for fourth with LaDainian Tomlinson in touchdowns (12), and he wasn't a starter. The Ravens love to use McGahee in the red zone, especially inside the opponent's 10-yard line.


WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh: 1,100-1,300 reception yards, 10 touchdowns.

At the age of 34, Ward will have the best numbers in the AFC North among receivers because the other two powerhouse teams (Ravens and Bengals) have many options in their passing game -- and in Cleveland, Delhomme will be happy to see any open men. Ward will be relied on heavily by whichever quarterback is starting, because he will make the important catches.

2. Terrell Owens, Cincinnati: 1,000-1,350 reception yards, 10 touchdowns.

Owens still has the speed and wit to be a Pro Bowl receiver and his projected numbers are in line with his bonuses.

3. Anquan Boldin, Baltimore: 1,000-1,300 reception yards, 9 touchdowns.

The Ravens want to go deep and Boldin will be the answered prayer for them. With a spread out field, Boldin will see a lot of one-on-ones, which will translate into yards and touchdowns.

4. Jordan Shipley, Cincinnati: 800-1,000 reception yards, 10 touchdowns.

In a division that blitzes often, completing passes underneath will be important and Palmer has another target to expose the soft zones to pick up yards and scores.


TIGHT END

1. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh: 700-950 reception yards and 11 touchdowns.

Similar to Ward's case in Pittsburgh, Miller will be a prime target for either quarterback, especially in the red zone.

2. Todd Heap, Baltimore: 600-900 reception yards and 9 touchdowns.

Heap is finally healthy again, and with the talented receivers now on the Ravens' roster the field will be more open for him to catch passes deep in the middle.

3. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati: 500-700 reception yards and 6 touchdowns.

At 6-5, Gresham will be the huge target in the middle of the field that Palmer prayed for.

4. Ben Watson, Cleveland: 500-700 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Browns signed Watson in the offseason to provide a better safety blanket for fellow acquisition Jake Delhomme, but it's hard to imagine there being many receiving touchdowns to go around in this offense.