Ocho Cinco has been in the news so much this off-season you would think he was K-Fed’s ex. He loves the spotlight, he loves himself, he loves winning, and he loves that every person with an interest in the game is on their edge of their seat, wondering, “will he or won’t he?” He loves it.

One thing he does not love is losing over and over again in spite of his unquestioned work ethic and ability to make plays.

Did he dread the possibility of another losing campaign so much that he would have sat out the year, as he threatened? In a word, no.

As much as he loathes losing, he loves making money, and he wouldn’t be doing that anywhere else but on the field in Cincinnati. Also, considering the parity that exists in the NFL, who’s to say that they can’t get it done in Bengaltown this year? The potential is undoubtedly still there, especially on offense.

He believes it, too.

So rest easy, Bengal fans. Catch a Reds game this summer. Come fall, Chad Johnson will be there, and with his ankle issues finally on their way to be taken care of, he will be ready for another season with TJ and Carson in his huddle.

Now, let’s talk fantasy value.

What I look for in a player is a high likelihood of success based on past performance, and no WR in the AFC has been more consistently high-performing in the last five years than Chad Johnson.

He hasn’t missed a game since his rookie season in 2001. Every year since 2003, he has caught between 87 and 97 passes, gained between 1,274 and 1,440 yards, and caught between 7 and 10 TDs. It doesn’t take a genius to forecast his output for next season. Same great QB, same tremendous complementary WR, same coach—methinks he’s going to catch about 95 for about 1,400, and score about 10. Call me crazy.

Now that his trade demands and supposed personal problems with his QB are over with (for now), one might be prone to thinking that he might even exceed those totals. That’s a pretty high standard, though. It would be nice if he could edge those TD numbers up a bit, as that is the only thing holding him back from Moss/Owens status (Braylon Edwards had 16 last year, but I need to see another year like that before he gets “status”).

If I take Johnson, I will be happy with him matching what he has done in the past, which is worthy of consideration from the third round on. If your league gives extra points for media attention, however, he’s a sure thing first rounder.

Clint Davis writes exclusively for MonsterDraft. He is the three-time defending champion of the storied Rocky Mountain Fantasy Football League. Reach him by email.