Pittsburgh Steelers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson is off the fantasy radar when the Steelers take on Kansas City on Christmas Day. The veteran has played more than 70% of the Steelers' snaps the past three weeks, but that seems likely to change with top receiver George Pickens (hamstring) likely to return to the lineup. The Chiefs' defense ranks in the middle of the pack against fantasy receivers, but it's difficult to see Jefferson getting enough action in a run-loving Pittsburgh offense when competing for targets with Pickens, receiver Calvin Austin III, and tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell is the top fantasy scorer at his position this season and will look to finish the fantasy campaign on a high note against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. Pittsburgh's top wide receiver, George Pickens (hamstring), is expected to return from a three-week absence on Wednesday, which should only benefit the offense and improve Boswell's chances of seeing the field. While the Chiefs have been stout defensively and have limited opposing kickers to the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game, Boswell has been far too consistent to bench in favor of a streaming candidate. Fantasy managers should continue to roll with Boswell as a high-end option this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth was underwhelming for fantasy purposes last week and will look to get back on track in Week 17 against the Kansas City Chiefs. While it is nearly impossible to beat the Chiefs on the ground, Kansas City has been vulnerable to the pass and especially to opposing tight ends. The Chiefs, who gave up a big performance to Houston's Dalton Schultz last week, have allowed the third-most fantasy points per contest to tight ends this season. With George Pickens (hamstring) expected to rejoin the Steelers on Wednesday, Freiermuth doesn't offer much in the way of guaranteed volume, but he certainly has some upside in this matchup and can be started as a low-end TE1.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams played on over 35% of offensive snaps for the first time in black and gold last week and will look for continued utilization in a Week 17 meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City has been middle-of-the-road against opposing wideouts in 2024, surrendering the 16th-most fantasy points per contest to the position. Williams may see yet another uptick in his playing time on Wednesday, but it is difficult to project him for many opportunities with George Pickens (hamstring) pushing to make his return from a three-week absence. Williams was unable to make an impact for fantasy purposes with Pickens sidelined, so there is no reason to consider him in starting lineups this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III has led the team's pass-catchers in each of his last two games and should get plenty of run against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. The Chiefs have shut down the running game while giving up a fair amount of fantasy points to receivers this season. Although Austin has seemingly established himself as a trusted target of quarterback Russell Wilson, he will likely have to compete for opportunities with George Pickens (hamstring) for the first time since Week 13. If Pickens is surprisingly inactive, Austin can be viewed as a desperation flex play, but he shouldn't be started in fantasy lineups otherwise.