The AFC North had the #4 highest-ranked Wide Receivers among all divisions, and the #2-ranked Tight Ends.
AFC North Starting Wide Receiver 1: Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
Whether you like him or not, he is one of the most electrifying players in NFL history. A perennial pro-bowler who also made 3 first-team all-pro squads, Johnson's statistics dominate all receivers out of the AFC North.
AFC North Starting Wide Receiver 2: Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers
Swann did not really need statistics to make his Hall of Fame case, and it's a good thing. His stats are just not there. He had 336 receptions for 5,462 yards and 51 touchdowns for his entire career, which is essentially what Randy Moss did in only 3 seasons at New England. Instead, Swann made nearly every catch in his brilliant career when they absolutely mattered the most. These accolades, of course, ended up earning him 4 Super Bowls, including the MVP of Super Bowl X, as well as inevitable Hall of Fame induction.
Back-up Wide Receiver: Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Not only did he put up some pretty solid Hall of Fame numbers, but Ward also goes down as one of the greatest blocking wide receivers ever. Like Swann, Ward also brought home a Super Bowl MVP (Super Bowl XL) for his efforts. In addition to this, he has also been selected to 4 Pro Bowls and 3 all-pro rosters.
Back-up Wide Receiver: John Stallworth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Stallworth always put up bigger numbers than his counter-part up there in Swann. The problem is that he kept getting John-Taylored by Swann in every big game they played, ensuring his status as 2nd-best receiver on these great teams. In Super Bowl XIII, he should have finally had his moment. He caught a record-tying 75-yard touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw that would later be a crucial touchdown in a 35-31 Steelers win over the Dallas Cowboys; however, the future Hall-of-Famer suffered leg cramps later and played sparingly in the second half, finishing with 3 receptions for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns.
AFC North Starting Tight End: Ozzie Newsome, Cleveland Browns
The "Wizard of Oz," Newsome finished his Hall of Fame career with 3 Pro Bowls, 5 All-Pro selections, and membership on the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.
Back-up Tight End: Shannon Sharpe, Baltimore Ravens
Sharpe only played for the Baltimore Ravens for 2 years, but their Super Bowl Championship would have been impossible without him. His ticket to the Hall of Fame was sealed with his performance in that one game.
Click HERE to see the next series of roster announcements for the All-Time AFC North!
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