Fantasy Football Preview: AFC Wide Receivers

(Above: Shh...Ochocinco could be a sleeper.)

The running back position has been covered. Now to the prima donna's, the popcorn, and the drama.

Or should I say, the gun-hoarding, gold grill flashing, girlfriend abusing, fantasy all-stars?

At this point, yes, I could say that. But it's June, it's warm out, and I'm feeling good about most of the top receivers in this league, even if they are in legal trouble and flirting with costing themselves three or four games in 2009.

Regardless, if they made the list, they're probably worth taking a flier on. Whether or not that means you drafts them in round three or round 13 is entirely up to you.

Buffalo Bills- Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Josh Reed

Trent Edwards isn't Tony Romo. We get that.

But what he is, is accurate, and smart. If he uses those two tools to the best of his ability, he and T.O. could form a formidable connection. Add the fact that Lee Evans isn't too shabby himself, and you have the makings of a potent offense.

Buffalo? Potent? I'll bet Dick Jauron is wetting himself.

While both Owens and Evans are easy and safe picks (for the most part), I'll bet you never would have thought Josh Reed would have been worth drafting.

Well, he kinda, sorta, almost...is.

After notching 56 receptions and 597 yards in 2008, Reed could actually be somewhat dangerous in the slot with two dangerous weapons distracting defenses on the outside.

New York Jets- Jerricho Cotchery

Rumors are flying around that Plaxico Burress may not be leaving the Big Apple after all. He just won't be wearing blue, is all.

Whether it happens or not, the only receiver on the Jets worth touching is Cotchery, as there is no sure-fire No. 2 receiver on the roster, and there isn't any guarantee there will be one by September.

Toss in the fact that either Mark Sanchez or (god forbid) Kellen Clemens will be lobbing passes into coverage, there isn't really much room for optimism.

Miami Dolphins- Ted Ginn Jr., Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess

I'm not buying the Patrick Turner hype, and neither should you. The truth is, this isn't a pass-happy offense, and even if it was, Ginn and Camarillo would benefit the most, while Bess would filter in as a solid slot receiver.

Bess and Camarillo may end up being interchangeable, with either providing close to WR3 stats. Ginn actually has been garnering huge praise in the early going, and could put up WR2 numbers if Chad Pennington continues his resurgent play.

New England Patriots- Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway

With Tom Brady back, both Moss and Welker are easily top-15 receivers, while Joey Galloway should find himself in the mix as a borderline WR3 play.

Moss will crack at least 1,200 yards and 10 TD, while Welker should see a steady rise in scores, while flirting with a third straight season of over 110 catches and 1,000 yards.

Galloway still has some speed in his aging body, and could do some real damage either on the outside or in the slot.

Still, any success from this corps hangs on Tom Brady, his knee, and the thoughts of diving-at-his-knee defenders floating in his head.

If you feel good about Brady, then these guys are for you.

Baltimore Ravens- Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton

Considering Derrick Mason played much of the end of last season with a severe shoulder injury, you should be fairly impressed with his 80 catches for over 1,000 yards and 5 scores.

It's quite clear that, even at 35, Mason hasn't slowed down too much, and is still a reliable WR3.

The same could go for Mark Clayton as Joe Flacco gets more comfortable in the offense. Clayton still can have suspect hands and route-running at times, but if the communication and chemistry keeps growing, both receivers could see a rise in numbers as Flacco progresses.

Cleveland Browns- Braylon Edwards, Brian Robiskie, Mike Furrey, David Patten

Despite his many drops last season, Braylon Edwards still has the size and speed that most quarterbacks drool over.

However, his stock, as well as his running-mates', could be drastically affected, depending on who wins the quarterback battle.

Brian Robiskie is said to be NFL-ready, with great ball skills, as well as solid speed and athletic ability.

Mike Furrey and David Patten should compete all throughout the preseason for a role as the slot receiver, with neither becoming a huge factor, fantasy-wise.

Furrey is only three years removed from a Pro Bowl-type season, however, and could be only one injury away from having a second chance.

Cincinnati Bengals- Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles, Chris Henry

All three of the Bengals' top receivers face difficult questions, while few of the issues at hand have anything to do with them.

Much of their future depends on the health and production of Carson Palmer, the offensive-line, and the success of Cedric Benson and the running game.

If Palmer can get back to even 50 percent of what he was in 2007, Ochocinco should easily be able to rebound, while Coles should be able to put up reliable WR3 numbers.

Henry has had two consecutive down years after scoring 15 touchdowns in his first two seasons, and could see a rise in production if he can hold off Andre Caldwell.

Pittsburgh Steelers- Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, Limas Sweed, Shaun McDonald

After a fantastic Super Bowl that ended with the game-winning touchdown catch, Santonio Holmes doesn't appear to have a ceiling on his potential right now.

In other words, you should be rating him higher than everyone else, while trying to get him for a low price.

Hines Ward is still a solid WR2 when healthy, while also being a capable WR3 when not.

Limas Sweed showed glimpses of what he could do in the future during 2008's playoff run, but the hands and consistency just isn't there yet. Shaun McDonald is a veteran with polished route-running, and could vie for the slot of Sweed falters.

Houston Texans- Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter

Early in his career, Andre Johnson's only knock was his inconsistency, and his in ability to effectively take over games when needed.

After seven games of 10 catches or more, as well as 100 yards or more, Johnson has arrived in a big way and is a top-three receiver. He will be gone after the second round in most leagues.

Kevin Walter is arguably the third option (behind Owen Daniels) in what looks to be an extremely potent 2009 air attack, and he could see his solid 2008 numbers (899 yards and 8 TD) get a solid boost.

Indianapolis Colts- Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, Austin Collie

Reggie Wayne takes over full duties as Peyton Manning's go-to guy, and only has to worry about Dallas Clark and Anthony Gonzalez in regards to sharing the ball, for the most part.

Gonzalez should be able to reach at least 70 receptions, and could flirt with 1,000 yards and 10 scores in just his third season.

Rookie Austin Collie is still in a heated competition with Pierre Garcon, with Garcon showing good speed and athleticism, while Collie has shown reliable hands and polished routes.

It may be a toss-up at the moment, but in a Manning-led offense, the more cerebral player (Collie) that can also consistently catch the ball will likely win the job.

Jacksonville Jaguars- Torry Holt

With Maurice Jones-Drew looking to become the feature back and take on roughly 300 or more carries, coach Jack Del Rio is once again basing his offense around a successful ground game.

Regardless of how it works out, David Garrard won't find many other options in his receiving corps worth throwing to, outside of newly acquired Torry Holt.

It's arguably that Holt has lost a step, but at 32, he still has some juice left.

Tennessee Titans- Justin Gage, Nate Washington, Kenny Britt

Outside of Michael Crabtree and Brian Robiskie, Kenny Britt is easily one of the more NFL-ready receivers, and depending on the play-calling, could have a successful first season.

However, with Kerry Collins under centers, as well as the return of a much heralded rush attack, there isn't likely to be much gun-slinging, which should keep even Justin Gage and Nate Washington grounded, fantasy-wise.

Denver Broncos- Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley

If Marshall can get out of the offseason suspension-free, you're looking at a rarity in the making; a guy who can catch 100+ passes three seasons in a row.

Despite not having great hands, Marshall has progressed every year, and is definitely among the elite. However, now he's demanding a trade.

Eddie Royal made a name for himself in his first game as a rookie, and churned out solid production the rest of the way, coming through for several confident owners as a reliable WR3 in 2008.

While Stokley is getting older and losing some of his luster as a slot receiver, he still has solid hands and good speed, and could put up WR3 approachable numbers in Josh McDaniels' system.

On the other hand, all three receivers could see a huge hit in their production, depending on how you view McDaniels' system, as well as Denver's new starting quarterback, Kyle Orton.

But if you're like me and don't think Orton and the pass offense will miss a beat, draft all of these guys (in the appropriate round, mind you) with the utmost confidence.

San Diego Chargers- Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers

Vincent Jackson finally fulfilled that "sleeper" role that people kept assigning him to for the past few years, as he dropped in a solid line of 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns.

San Diego's offense thrives on the vertical game with Jackson, as well as the intermediate passes with Antonio Gates, and drop-off's with the running backs. That doesn't leave a ton of looks left over for the forgotten Chambers, although he does still hold some value.

After scoring five touchdowns in his first five games of 2008, Chambers fell apart, and was no better than San Diego's fourth option. If Chambers can revert that, even marginally, he could be a solid WR3, and quite possibly a fantastic steal in your league's draft.

Oakland Raiders- Darrius Heyward-Bey, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Javon Walker

Heyward-Bey is a potential bust with bad hands, Higgins is an electric return man who is only an average receiver, and Javon Walker is one more knee surgery away from retirement.

Throw in the fact that Al Davis and the rest of the Raiders are still riding the JaMarcus Russell wave, and you officially have zero Oakland receivers worth drafting in your fantasy league.

Yes, zero. Zach Miller is a tight end, folks.

Kansas City Chiefs- Dwayne Bowe, Mark Bradley, Bobby Engram

Dwayne Bowe has consistently progressed into a solid WR2, while both Mark Bradley and Bobby Engram offer room for optimism, as well as caution.

Bradley showed glimpses of electrifying play-making, and Engram, while coming off of a down year, still has the hands and experience to work some magic over the middle of the field.

The main factor will be how Matt Cassel adjusts to Todd Haley's offense, and who he chooses to confide in as an offensive safety net. With Tony Gonzalez no longer around to rescue average quarterbacks from the depths of the bench (or free agency), Cassel will have to find someone other than Bowe to remain effective.

Bradley would be the safest bet, although he won't project as even a WR3 in most leagues.