Today we are continuing our 4-EYED TEAM PREVIEW SERIES and we are heading to the Steel City to cover the Pittsburgh Steelers of the AFC North!
The Steelers won the AFC North in 2020, but were eliminated from the playoffs by divisional rival, the Cleveland Browns. Since then there has been a lot of change on the offensive side of the ball. For starters, most of the offensive line retired or moved on…which I hear is “great” for offensive consistency. In terms of their superstars, The Steelers are still committed to trying to get every ounce of quality football left out of Ben Roethlisberger evidenced by the team not addressing the position in the NFL Draft. The same can’t be said for James Conner’s replacement, however, as the Steelers used their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft for Alabama running back Najee Harris. As far as the receiving game goes, The Steelers brought back JuJu on a one-year deal and by doing so have arguably one of the best trios of wide receivers in the NFL.
So with all that said, who are the players from the Steelers offense that can help you win a fantasy championship in 2021?
Find out below in our 2021 Steelers Offensive 4-EYED Team Preview!
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger
‘Big Ben’ is teetering on the edge of fantasy relevancy, but the community is expecting him to not do much this year. He is currently barely being drafted as the QB20 even though he finished last year as the QB14. I do think you could do worse for a late-round flier than having Roethlisberger as your backup or third quarterback just because this Steelers offense was the most pass-heavy in the league last year. Roethlisberger had the third-most passing attempts last season and it looks like the Steelers’ game plan will still be to have him throw until his arm falls off.
Running Backs
Najee Harris
The first running back drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft was Najee Harris out of the University of Alabama. Harris is expected to be the lead back for the Steelers and he may not come off the field. A workhorse in college, Harris had 251 carries for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns his final year with the Crimson Tide. He is currently being drafted as the RB11 in half-PPR leagues and expectations are that he will finish as an RB1 this year.
Others?
The Steelers technically still have Anthony McFarland, Benny Snell, and Kallen Ballage walking around their running back room, but neither of them has been able to have any sort of fantasy relevance in the past. I think you can comfortably leave them on your waiver wire.
Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson
All three of these Steelers wide receivers finished in the top-23 wide receivers last year. Johnson goes into the new season with the highest ADP (WR22), but he also has tremendous upside. Yes, Johnson did have 14 drops last year, but the Steelers are going to remain very pass-heavy and Johnson is coming off of a 139 target season. He had 88 receptions and is going to the receiver that Roethlisberger looks to first in his progressions. Claypool is going to be a deep threat, Smith-Schuster will be a slot guy, and Johnson is going to be the reliable target in 2021.
Chase Claypool
Claypool’s 2020 has him primed for regression in 2021. A little over 20% of Claypool’s entire fantasy football production came from one week where he had four combined touchdowns. He is a talented player and will be someone Roethlisberger gets involved in the offense, but I think he is going to be more boom or bust than people are expecting.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
As mentioned earlier, JuJu Smith-Schuster was brought back to the Steelers on a one-year prove-it deal. He is still only 24 years old so there is value with him in dynasty for sure. In redraft though, JuJu is going as the WR30 near Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. I like Smith-Schuster’s floor this season as he will be involved in this passing game and should have a steady target share. But, I think the other two Steelers receivers shine brighter, and he will be the biggest player hurt by the increased run game.
Tight Ends
Eric Ebron or Pat Freiermuth?
Freiermuth is definitely the better option in dynasty, but if we are looking at redraft these guys are being drafted as the TE27/29 currently. They don’t need to be rostered in anything other than taking a flier on them in bestball late rounds. Freiermuth has a chance to breakout though if Ebron gets hurt so keep an eye on him in your waivers as the season progresses.
Follow @TeddyRicketson