Pittsburgh Steelers

The Athletic's Mark Kaboly doesn't think that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is going to beat out Russell Wilson or replace him in 2024 unless Wilson implodes, which is difficult to imagine happening. Kaboly also thinks Fields is playing /practicing for 2025 and down the road. He still has to work on his fundamentals, but the talent remains undeniable, especially his legs and his arm strength. The Chicago Bears' future first-round pick can be the Steelers' future franchise signal-caller, even if he doesn't play a down this season. The 25-year-old's rushing ability is top-notch, but his accuracy is going to need to improve at some point if he wants another chance as a starter in the NFL after Wilson's days are done in Pittsburgh. Unless Wilson tanks or gets hurt, Fields won't be on the fantasy radar in single-QB leagues in 2024.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back/wide receiver/return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson signed a two-year, $6 million contract this offseason to join the team, almost immediately after the new kickoff rules were announced. Patterson, the NFL's all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns (nine), was surely signed to help in that area, but Mark Kaboly of the Athletic believes he is likely to have a role on offense, too. "It's hard to imagine the Steelers gave him $6 million over two years to be only a kick returner," Kaboly wrote. "An accomplished receiver and running back over his career, Patterson will likely have a bigger role than being a specialist." The 33-year-old enjoyed his best season under current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith when the two were in Atlanta in 2021. Patterson rushed 153 times for 618 yards and caught 52 passes for 548 yards and scored 11 total touchdowns. Pittsburgh has a strong running back duo in Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, but its wide receiver group behind George Pickens looks weak on paper. That said, don't be surprised if Patterson is mixed in along with Van Jefferson and third-round rookie Roman Wilson. It'd be a surprise the 2013 first-round pick is a weekly fantasy contributor, but he might be a bargain-bin DFS play with upside in 2024.

Unless something unforeseen happens, quarterback Russell Wilson will be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting QB in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons this fall. It's his job to lose in training camp and the preseason. "I'm really pleased with what I heard coming (out) of there with Russ," NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said on the Rich Eisen Show. "I know there's been a lot of talk with him and Justin Fields. It's Russell Wilson's gig. Everything I've been told, they've been impressed with how he's thrown. Throwing with anticipation." The Athletic's Mark Kaboly also listed Fields as a "loser" in OTAs and minicamp because he feels Wilson has a chokehold on the starting gig right now. It doesn't really change anything from when head coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson would be in pole position as the starter earlier this offseason. Wilson is also embracing a leadership role and has embraced the city of Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed wide receiver Van Jefferson to stand out during offseason workouts, but he didn't. Spring practices typically don't mean a ton, but nothing has jumped out to suggest that Jefferson can be a difference-maker in 2024 with both Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson II now out of town. Outside of George Pickens, there is a lot of opportunity in the Steelers' receivers room, but it looks like Jefferson hasn't really seized a role. As we head to training camp at the end of July, Jefferson will be competing with Calvin Austin II, rookie Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Quez Watkins for a role in the passing game in his first year in Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old had 20 receptions for only 209 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts) with the Falcons and Rams in 2023 and will be a long shot for fantasy relevance outside of very deep leagues as receiver depth.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington struggled last year during spring workouts, and nothing has changed a full year later. Washington has proven himself as a solid blocking tight end, but he's not going to be a 30-catch guy based on what we've seen from him in his second offseason. Even in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's tight-end-friendly scheme, fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't expect Washington to have much more offensive output than he had last year, when he went for seven catches on 10 targets for 61 yards and no touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (seven starts). The 22-year-old former third-round pick last year out of Georgia doesn't figure to be on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues in 2024 unless Pat Freiermuth misses time with an injury.