All four teams in the AFC North attempted to upgrade their receiving core this off-season.  This past week the Cincinnati Bengals signed receiver Terrell Owens, which some analysts say gives the Bengals’ offense an edge in the division. This brings up a good question: Who has the best receiving core in the AFC North? Here’s a look at each team’s receivers, including tight ends.

Who has the better receiving core in the AFC North? Let us know what you think!

RAVENS:

Anquan Boldin

Donte Stallworth

Derrick Mason

Mark Clayton

David Reed (rookie)

Todd Heap, TE

The team added Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth along with resigning Derrick Mason in the off season. In addition, the team drafted rookie receiver David Reed and two tight ends in the draft. If reports are accurate, rookie tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta will be factors in the offense.  Dickson has been practicing with the first team offense.  Todd Heap is finally healthy which is huge for the offense.

The Big Question:Much may fall on Donte Stallworth, can the speedy receiver give the offense the much needed vertical threat?

Overall: The team improved from last year with acquiring Boldin and has some serious depth at both wide receiver and tight end position.

BENGALS:

Chad Ochocinco

Antonio Bryant

Terrell Owens

Matt Jones

Andre Caldwell

Jordan Shipley (rookie)

Jermaine Gresham, TE (rookie)

There were questions going into the offseason about the receiving core for the Bengals. The team got busy and added Antonio Bryant and recently signed Terrell Owens.  They also drafted WR Jordan Shipley and tight end Jermaine Gresham, arguably the top prospect at his position.

The Big Question: Can Antonio Bryant fill the void left by T.J. Houshmandzadeh?  How does the T.O. experiment work?

Overall: This is solid group and will pose match up problems for opponents. They’ve added some outstanding excellent talent in free agency and the draft.  Jermaine Gresham gives QB Carson Palmer a weapon at the tight end position–something they didn’t have last year.

STEELERS:

Hines Ward

Arnaz Battle

Antwaan Randle El

Mike Wallace

Antonio Brown (rookie)

Emmanuel Sanders (rookie)

Heath Miller, TE

The big news was trading away their number one playmaker Santonio Holmes to the Jets.  The team added Arnez Battle and Antwaan Randle El along with rookie Antonio Brown and Emmanual Sanders.  Second year player WR Mike Wallace may be emerging as the teams biggest threat.

The Big Question: Who fills the void left by Santonio Holmes?

Overall: WR Hines Ward and TE Heath Miller still gives this unit has capable playmakers.

BROWNS:

Joshua Cribbs, WR/KR

Bobby Engram, WR

Mohammed Massaquoi, WR

Brian Robiskie, WR

Carlton Mitchell, WR (rookie)

Joel Gamble, TE

The Browns were active to some extent picking up veteran Bobby Engram and drafting WR Carlton Mitchell.  It seems they are counting on Joshua Cribbs and the younger receivers in Mohammed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie to step it up.

The Big Question: Will Mohammed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie provide enough production for the offense.

Overall: On paper this receiving core doesn’t strike too much fear into the hearts of their opponents.

Players in Bold = Veteran acquisitions

File this story by James King of the Phoenix New Times under the “Why Not Go Ahead and Start a Rumor” heading.  Although King asserts that the “blogosphere” suggests that the “Arizona Cardinals are a likely team for the two-time Super Bowl champ,” this could not be further from the truth.  There have been rumors swirling about the Steelers moving Roethlisberger, but there is absolutely no way he will be traded to the Cardinals.

King does note that “it seems that anytime a big-name quarterback becomes available — or in this case is rumored to be available — the sports gossip-junkies turn to the teams with the least-impressive quarterbacks and get the rumors started — remember all the Donovan McNabb talk a few weeks ago.”  The problem is, however, that there doesn’t seem to be any other source that even mentions Arizona as a possible team for Roethlisberger.

As if it wasn’t already clear, the Cardinals announced Leinart as the starter, with Anderson backing him up.  St. Pierre, who still hasn’t officially signed, is likely to be slotted at third on the depth chart.  In addition, the Cardinals have also made it clear they intend to select a quarterback at some point in next week’s draft.  This leaves no room for a quarterback that has shown  a repeated and blatant disrespect for his team’s welfare, league policy, and good common sense.

Here’s a look into the AFC North draft predictions, including some notable free agent signings. Will any of the AFC North teams choices in the draft affect the Ravens pick? Possibly, yes. Pittsburgh, selecting at 18 in the first round may be in need of a Cornerback and could be looking at Kyle Wilson, Boise State.  The Ravens, selecting at 25, might be interested in Wilson as well.  As for Cincinnati, consensus has the team picking Safety Taylor Mays, USC.  Yet, some analysts are thinking they may have an eye on Tight End Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma.  The Ravens are also looking at Gresham as a possibility.  When it comes down to draft day, we’ll see if these factors come into play.

Here’s a look into the AFC North draft predictions, including some notable free agent signings:

Cleveland Browns:

Draft: First round, 7th selection

Needs: Safety, Cornerback, Quarterback, Running back

Notable Signings: LB Scott Fuita, TE Benjamin Watson, QB Jake Delhomme,

Acquisitions through trades: QB Seneca Wallace, CB Sheldon Brown, LB Chris Gocong

Draft Projections:

Most of the mock drafts have Cleveland picking Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee. With the seventh pick in the draft, they will have many great choices.

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee - Bucky Brooks, NFL.com, Pete Prisco, CBS.com

C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson – Sean Leahy, USA today.com

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida - Jarrett Bell, USAtoday.com

Joe Haden, CB, Florida – Derek Harper, NFLDraftScout.com

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee – Walterfootball.com  (Other possibilities: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Dez Bryant, WR)

Pittsburgh Steelers:

Draft: First round, 18th Selection

Needs: Offensive Line, Cornerback, Safety,  Running back

Notable Signings: S Will Allen, WR Arnez Battle, LB Larry Foote, WR Antwaan Randle EL  (Resigned S Ryan Clark)

Draft projections:

Most experts are leaning towards an offensive lineman with a few going with Cornerback.

Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State - Pat Kirwin & Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida – Chad Rueter, CBSsports.com

Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho – Peter Schrager, msn.Foxsports.com

Joe Haden, CB , Florida – Rob Rang, CBSsports.com

Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers – Jarrett Bell, USAtoday.com

Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama -Walterfootball.com (Other Possibilities: Kyle Wison, CB & Mike Iupati, G)

Cincinnati Bengals:

Draft: First round, 21st selection

Needs: Safety, Tight End, Defensive End

Notable signings: WR Antonio Bryant (Re-signed OG Bobbie Williams, C Ryan Cook)

Draft projections:

While Taylor Mays is the overall favorite for many projections, there are some other possibilities for Cincinnati.

Jason Pierre-Paul. DE, South Florida – Pat Kirwin, NFL.com

Earl Thomas, S, Texas – Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma – Rob Rang, CBSsports.com

Taylor Mays, S, USC -  Chad Rueter, CBSsports.com

Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma - Pete O’Brian, USAtoday.com

Taylor Mays, S, USC – (Other possible: Brian Price, DT) Walterfootball.com

Baltimore Ravens:

Draft: First round, 25th selection

Needs: Tight End, Defensive tackle, Cornerback, Wide Receiver, Safety

Notable signings: WR Anquan Boldin, WR Dante Stallworth, DE Corey Redding  (Re-signed: WR Derrick Mason, TE Edgar Jones,)

Draft Projections:

The mock drafts are split, many say Jermaine Gresham, TE while the others are going with a Defensive tackle or Cornerback. In a few days we’ll bring you a detailed list of the latest mock draft predictions for the Ravens.

Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma – Peter Schrager, msn.Foxsports.com,

Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State - Pete Prisco, CBSsports.com, Walterfootball.com

Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida – Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers - Jarrett Bell, USAtoday.com