Wide Receiver Rankings: Chad or Ward?

[PFCritics]

I hope you guys don't mind that I'm posting this, since you guys gave me a warm welcome after commenting on my QB and RB columns. I finished my AFC version of the WR rankings. I'm just going to post my wide receiver rankings for the AFC North only here, if you want to read everything in full first go here: http://www.pfcritics.com/news/WideReceiverRankingsAFCsTh.php

AFC North - Two of the Best, Two Full of Depth

Over the past few seasons, Hines Ward and Chad Johnson have proven to be two of the NFL's best receivers. The Ravens improved their receiving options greatly while the Steelers lost Burress. Meanwhile, the Bengals and Browns have plenty of depth at the position.

1. Hines Ward - Pittsburgh Steelers - Although the Steelers don't have the dangerous combination of Ward and Plaxico Burress anymore, that doesn't mean Ward will have a drop in productivity. In fact, it could pick up. The Steelers will rely on Ward to make tough catches, which he's very good at doing. Known as one of the best possession receivers in the NFL, Ward could even get the call for more deep balls, which was usually saved for Plaxico Burress in years past.

2. Chad Johnson - Cincinnati Bengals - It was tough to rank the energized trash talker below Ward, but it had to be done since the Bengals have a more talented group of wide receivers at the moment. With so much depth, the Bengals won't have to rely on Johnson to do everything. That won't stop him from making his spectacular catches or showboating his way into an end zone though.

3. Derrick Mason - Baltimore Ravens - I can't wait to see how Mason does with the Ravens, since he will be Kyle Boller's first true number one receiver since he's been with the team. The move, which can be considered one of the most underrated moves in the off-season, will test if Boller is the future quarterback of the Ravens. Mason has proven himself in the league already and should have a good season, but not as good as his best times with the Titans.

4. Andre Davis - Cleveland Browns - The Browns really missed Davis after his injury last season. He's known as a huge playmaker, including his 99-yard reception from Jeff Garcia last year. When healthy, there's no doubt that Davis could get close to cracking a 1,000 yard receiving season.

5. T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Cincinnati Bengals - Believe it or not, I finally learned how to spell this guys name without looking it up. Last year, he became a solid threat as the second receiver for the team. There were games where he even came through more than Chad Johnson did, which says something about your productivity.

6. Braylon Edwards - Cleveland Browns - It's tough for a young receiver to get used to the NFL sometimes, but Edwards shouldn't have too much pressure on him with a veteran quarterback and depth at the receiving position. Edwards should be the starter; after all, he was the third overall pick in the draft. Like most rookies, it's tough to say how well they'll do until they step onto that field for the first time.

7. Antwaan Randle El - Pittsburgh Steelers - He'll have some big shoes to fill as the replacement to Burress, but Big Ben enjoyed finding Randle El last season in the slot. He won't have a problem catching some balls deep down the field, but I'm not too sure how he'll do on a play where he's hit hard and needs to hang on. That's why you've got Hines Ward on the other side though. I'm sure he'll still be involved in many trick plays though, which is one of his strengths.

8. Dennis Northcutt - Cleveland - Northcutt could easily be swapped with Antonio Bryant on this list, but I think Northcutt will have a surprising season. He didn't so anything spectacular as a starter when the Browns had injury problems, but he also didn't have the best of quarterbacks getting him the ball. With his versatility on the field in the past, he will make some plays.

9. Mark Clayton - Baltimore Ravens - I hope you're not asking why Clayton, drafted in the first round, isn't ranked higher than some of the guys above. Last year, the Ravens starting group may not have even cracked my top ten receivers in the AFC North. Just because they made two additions this year doesn't mean that Clayton will have a huge season. You have to put blame on Kyle Boller for not getting the job done. Besides, Todd Heap and Derrick Mason will already take time away from the rookie.

10. Antonio Bryant - Cleveland Browns - Bryant's ranking all depends on which job he wins. There's still a chance that he could even be a starter, which would raise his stock value without a doubt. His problem in the past has been dropping the easy passes though, which I'm not too sure Romeo Crennel wants to deal with. On the other hand though, he's had games where he makes several deep catches down the field.

11. Kelly Washington - Cincinnati Bengals - Washington is another one of the guys who Palmer will love to throw to. He won't get nearly as many chances as Houshmandzadeh will, but he should pile on another average type of season.

12. Cedrick Wilson - Pittsburgh Steelers - Playing as the main guy on a bad 49'ers team last season, Wilson had a fair season. He'll come to the Steelers challenging for the third or fourth receiving position. He can also make some catches deep down the field, which may be favorable to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The rest(in order): Peter Warrick, Clarence Moore, Fred Gibson, Randy Hymes, Chris Henry, Lee Mays, Frisman Jackson, Patrick Johnson

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I found the wide receiver rankings to be very difficult to decide on. First, it's hard to choose who the better second receiver is on each team. It's even harder to decide about third and fourth wideouts, especially if you're not sure if they'll even win the job. I know the Bengals had rookie Chris Henry, but I have no idea if the Bengals plan on using him as competition for the third slot or anything, for example. So, forgive me if my comments seem off based somewhat

Any comments are appreciated as always...

[DontPushMe]

looks like a fantasy football ranking site to me, if so, who cares, this isnt a fantasy football message board

if its not a fantasy football ranking, putting Johnson down because he has a better #2 receiver then ward is stupid

[BengalszoneBilly]

Fantasy or not, I still feel it's pretty close, although I'd have put Chad 1st.

[walshfan]

If you want a receiver that goes over the middle and can lay a good lick then Ward is your man..

If you want a guy that can get behind DB's for the long catches and come up with some acrobatic plays for good gains then go with Chad..

[andybren]

Obviously most (if not all) of the people on this site are going to say CJ is better than Ward. But the logic you cite in making Ward #1 is all wrong. CJ is a lesser WR because he has a stronger supporting cast? You should think of it this way: who will see more double-teams, CJ or Ward? Losing Plaxico doesn't help Ward, it hurts him. Having TJ and PDub on the field doesn't detract from CJ's abilities, it just makes him more open. Assuming that's possible. CJ might get fewer looks than Ward, but he'll catch more and get more yards and TD's.

[Kazkal]

Obviously most (if not all) of the people on this site are going to say CJ is better than Ward.  But the logic you cite in making Ward #1 is all wrong.  CJ is a lesser WR because he has a stronger supporting cast?  You should think of it this way:  who will see more double-teams, CJ or Ward?  Losing Plaxico doesn't help Ward, it hurts him.  Having TJ and PDub on the field doesn't detract from CJ's abilities, it just makes him more open.  Assuming that's possible.  CJ might get fewer looks than Ward, but he'll catch more and get more yards and TD's.

True that.

PS,Chad doesn't talk trash he just states you can't stop him because you can't and he is very quiet well playing

[Who?]

Haha you know, he was quiet after that terrible performance he put on in the first Browns game last year Kazkal!

[Kazkal]

Ok 1 person can stop chad himself by karma

[Who?]

That one person who can is... ME!

[PFCritics]

For those of you that didn't know, these are not fantasy rankings really, but I guess you *could* consider them that if you wanted. The purpose of the rankings is how well I think each individual receiver will do this year. I feel that Ward will have a better season than CJ. The Steelers still have a strong running game, so Ward will get some big play shots down the field with Burress gone.

CJ will have an outstanding season as well, but Carson can rely on TJ to have a big game and he has a few other guys ready to step up.

The reason I don't base my rankings on pure talent is the fact that it wouldn't be interesting. These are my predictions for what I think things will be like at the end of the season, which means I likely took some "chances" as well.

Thanks for reading BTW

[Who?]

I'm really surprised Braylon is number 6, do you really think he will have a big impact this year? I'm sure hoping so.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

For those of you that didn't know, these are not fantasy rankings really, but I guess you *could* consider them that if you wanted. The purpose of the rankings is how well I think each individual receiver will do this year. I feel that Ward will have a better season than CJ. The Steelers still have a strong running game, so Ward will get some big play shots down the field with Burress gone.

CJ will have an outstanding season as well, but Carson can rely on TJ to have a big game and he has a few other guys ready to step up.

The reason I don't base my rankings on pure talent is the fact that it wouldn't be interesting. These are my predictions for what I think things will be like at the end of the season, which means I likely took some "chances" as well.

Thanks for reading BTW

The Bengals running game is going to be just as effective as the Steelers this year. Rudi gets the job done, and had almost as many yards on his own as Staley and Bettis combined. (Rudi 1454, Staley 830, Bettis 941) With Perry (hopefully) healthy, Carson Palmer more effective in his second year as a starter, and a healthy offensive line this year, look out.

Ward will see more double coverage this year without Burress. Chad Johnson will see less double coverage this year with Henry and TJ Alphabet (some of us just don't worry about how to spell it and give him a nickname) being true threats.

When you are talking about simple stats, Chad Johnson is the best receiver in this division, no questions about it. Ward may be the best blocking wide receiver in the league, but that won't get you stats from him.

[Irish Bengal]

What did ward do in yardage and TDs last year?

and that was with Burress.

Since we are all assuming Big Bon*r will not do as well as last year do you really think Ward will be much of a factor this year?

I see Randle El becoming the Sqeellers best Receiver this year.

[Who?]

Ward will continue to post pretty good stats, I have never really been that impressed with Randle El honestly.

[CantStop85]

Hines Ward's numbers weren't all that great with Burress last year and now Burress is gone. Hines will be double teamed more often and he won't get that many more receptions because Burress never really caught that many passes to begin with.

Putting Hines Ward in front of Chad Johnson at this point of their careers is just ridiculous. The only edge Hines has on Chad is blocking and that's not exactly the main priority of a receiver.

[JPW]

Chad surpassed Ward and became the AFC North's Best Receiver two years ago, I don't see any reason to think that will change this season.

I also think that you have Wilson a little too high and Warrick (if he is healthy) & maybe Moore a bit too low.

I also wonder about Gibson being rated higher than Cris Henry ...

[AMC]

The one thing I like about Hines Ward is his downfield blocking...

He's good, but CJ will smoke him this year in the Bengals offense.

[JPW]

The one thing I like about Hines Ward is his downfield blocking...

He's good, but CJ will smoke him this year in the Bengals offense.

That reminds me, one of the things that people seem to forget about Peter Warrick is his Blocking.

He is no Hines Wards but he is a pretty good blocker in his own right.

And you are darn right that Wards is a very good receiver, I didn't mean to imply that he wasn't.

By the way did the Steelers ever get that deal done on his extension ?

[jditty47]

if u are putting andre davis after an injury at #4, how come warrick is listed below #12? chad is now a better fantasy threat than ward. period.

[Kazkal]

they've had a good running game sense wards been there

Thats nothing new bengals having more threats = good for chad

[CantStop85]

Braylon Edwards should be ranked above Andre Davis. Braylon will be the #1 receiver for the browns and I don't think that there's any doubt that he will have better numbers than Andre.

[Spain]

I like hines as a player but he couldnt hold CJs Jock!

[walshfan]

the player I see as a comparison to chad Johnson is Tory Holt...If you wanna talk about great YOUNG recievers check out Andre Johnson of the Texans... most YAC in football last season...

[HairOnFire]

Wow, four Brownie wideouts ranked in the top ten.

[jditty47]

Wow, four Brownie wideouts ranked in the top ten.

exactly. not biased at all.