High Side by Clayton Gray
How can one not be high on Kevin Johnson?

Let's look at the 2001 numbers:
84 catches / 1,097 yards / 9 TDs / 164 fantasy points / #13 WR

Nothing spectacular there, but no one is calling Johnson a stud WR. In a 12-team league, Kevin Johnson shouldn't be a #1 WR, but he's definitely an excellent #2 for any fantasy roster.

What has changed for the better in Cleveland?

• The running game (with William Green) should be improved. If it is, that will take some pressure away from Johnson and bring the secondary in a little tighter. More room for the passing game. If the running game isn't any better, Johnson is in the same position as last year. No problem.
• Maybe Quincy Morgan (or one of the other 25 second round WRs) will actually be a viable receiving threat. If he is, that will take some pressure away from Johnson and give him more room to work. If there is no viable second WR, Johnson is in the same position as last year. No problem.

What has changed for the worse in Cleveland?

• I'm at a loss.

It seems the Cleveland offense has a real chance to improve. At worst, it will be in the same boat as last season. Kevin Johnson performed as the #13 WR under those conditions. He can do it again.

Low Side by Andy Hicks
Why have I ranked this guy the 34th Wide Receiver?

Only one other FootballGuy has him outside the top 21, and then only barely.
He ranked 13th overall (FBG rankings and Grandmaster Drinen's) in WR points last year and 17th in his rookie season. Tim Couch is just starting to blossom as a Quarterback and the Browns finally look like they'll have someone to run the ball for them.

Here's why.
Johnson's receiving support crew has ranged from average to atrocious. In 1999 Darrin Chiaverini was the top sidekick. He was good enough to rank as the 59th highest point scoring WR, included were 4 TDs. His performance is the best so far to complement Kevin Johnson. In 2000 David Patten was good enough to rank 66th overall and score 1 TD. Last year Quincy Morgan fared little better and ranked 68th overall, with 2 TDs.

The plethora of draft picks the Browns have used on Receivers will bear fruit this year. Quincy Morgan, JuJuan Dawson, Dennis Northcutt and Andre King have all been in the same system for the 2nd year. Their annual second round WR this year, Andre Davis looks to be impressive as well. At least one of them has to do better than 59th overall. Morgan and King would be my front-runners.

Touchdowns in the red zone have been Kevin Johnson's forte, 6 last year. Not one other WR scored a red zone touchdown. RBs, FBs, TEs, even the center got one. Think that'll happen again? William Green looks like the perfect Red Zone back. Speaking of Green, does anyone think Cleveland is not going to run the ball down other teams throats? Sure the pie may be bigger, but as I've mentioned the other receivers are going to eat into that as well. Let us not forget the Rickey Dudley question. If he is fit and focused, he will eat a lot of TDs and yards from the other Browns receivers, especially the TDs off of Johnson. Of course banking on Dudley is not the best way to target success, so he hasn't entered into my thoughts as much as the other reasons.

How does Kevin Johnson stack up in other areas?
He has only 1 1000 yard season and has yet to break 1100 yards.
He only has 5 100 yard games in his career.
His injury history is not bad, but one look at the 2000 year is enough to worry.
62nd overall, 0 TDs and a dodgy hamstring.

The truth is I see Kevin Johnson somewhere between the 2000 season and the ones in 1999 and 2001. If the Browns can't run the ball and no other receiver delivers, then yes Kevin Johnson will be a top 20 Receiver. My money is on one or both of those scenarios happening and Kevin Johnson dropping to the late 20's early thirties, or in my rankings 34th. Doesn't Kevin Johnson remind you of the possession receiver who will be a great #2, if only they can find a true #1? Well he does to me. This will be the year the transformation begins.

Best case scenario for Johnson fans - No running game, no other receiver performs, the Browns D fail to live up to the wraps or are forced onto the field too often. The Browns have to play catch up. Best ranking possible - 12th

Worst case scenario for Johnson fans - The defense overpowers other teams, the running game delivers, other receivers live up to expectations and Dudley plays football. Worst ranking possible - 45th.

I'm going to be closer to the worst case scenario than the best.