Team Profile
Pittsburgh Steelers
-
-3.5% 21stOff DVOA
-
18.8% 16thPassing DVOA
-
-8.8% 19thRushing DVOA
-
-6% 10thDef DVOA
-
3.4% 12thDef Passing DVOA
-
-19.2% 7thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
-
Points For25.2 10th
-
Points Against18.4 5th
-
Yards Per Game326.0 18th
-
Yards Allowed Per Game303.0 7th
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson says most of the team's starters will play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the hosting Detroit Lions at Ford Field. It's become a compelling storyline out of Steelers training camp as to whether Wilson or Justin Fields will be the Week 1 starter against the Atlanta Falcons, and Saturday's final exhibition outing will mark the last chance for the two signal-callers to make their case for the QB1 job. Pittsburgh's offense under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is set to be one of the NFL's run-heaviest units no matter who's under center in 2024, and while Wilson, 35, offers the attack a veteran stabilizing presence, Fields scored the fifth-most fantasy points per dropback (0.58) among qualifiers last year and would certainly be the more appealing fantasy play of the two if he gets the nod.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) exited Saturday's preseason contest with the Buffalo Bills and was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin spoke on Tuesday, saying "He is probably out for this week, but not anything that's a long-term concern." Tomlin is putting a positive spin on a negative with Warren, but the fact is Warren may miss multiple weeks and as of now, Warren's Week 1 status is in jeopardy. When healthy, Warren is one of the biggest sleeper candidates in fantasy football, as he's part of a two-headed backfield with Najee Harris and now is coached by one of the preeminent offensive coordinators for his skills, Arthur Smith. Warren was an upside RB2 before this injury but is probably more of a high-end RB3 in fantasy with some of the concern about his hamstring.
New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) is eager to return to team drills this week. After passing his physical and rejoining practice on August 7, Williams has been limited to individual drills while he recovers from a torn ACL. The 29-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, missing 19 games, including playoffs. Returning to team drills would give Williams two weeks to build chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers before the Jets' season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on September 9. These reps are crucial for Williams, who joined the Jets this offseason with uncertainty about his readiness for Week 1. If he can stay healthy and develop a connection with Rodgers, Williams could become a valuable, though unpredictable, flex option in the Jets' passing game alongside top receiver Garrett Wilson.
New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) told Jets reporters that he expects to take team reps in training camp practice next week. Williams didn't take too long to come off the Physically Unable to Perform list in camp this summer, but he has yet to mix in with the rest of the team on the practice field as he recovers from a torn left ACL that he suffered in Week 3 of 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers. With time running out before the start of the 2024 regular season, though, it's possible that Williams isn't given a full workload if he's active for the Week 1 opener in early September. Because of his recovery from ACL and the fact he might not be ready to go early on, Williams' price will be reduced on draft day in fantasy. But when healthy, he's fully expected to be the No. 2 wideout behind Garrett Wilson and could be a nice value pick for fantasy managers as a big-play threat.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) may miss "a few weeks," according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The 25-year-old exited Saturday's preseason battle with the Buffalo Bills with a hamstring injury and was ruled out shortly after. Warren finished last season by running for 764 yards and four touchdowns off 149 carries, adding 61 catches for 370 yards. Of course, this isn't the kind of update fantasy managers had hoped for heading into the 2024-25 campaign. Fortunately, Warren has time to recover before the Steelers begin the season versus the Atlanta Falcons. If he doesn't suit up for that one, Najee Harris would presumably see more touches, with Cordarrelle Patterson expected to provide relief.