Pittsburgh Steelers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has seen his usage trend positively over the past few weeks and will look to stay involved against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. Unfortunately for Warren, the Browns have been stout against opposing backs this season, especially in the passing game. Cleveland has surrendered the second-fewest receptions and the seventh-fewest fantasy points per contest to the position. With Najee Harris getting the bulk of the work on the ground, it's difficult to project Warren for much success on Thursday night in what is expected to be the lowest-scoring affair of the week. The 26-year-old should only be viewed as a desperation flex option in most formats.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has done very little for fantasy over the past six weeks but will look to bounce back in a divisional bout with the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. The Browns look like a favorable matchup for tight ends on paper, but Taysom Hill's monstrous showing last week accounts for nearly 35% of the points Cleveland has allowed to the position this season. Only two other tight ends have managed top-10 finishes against the Browns in 2024. Freiermuth does not seem to have a reliable role in Pittsburgh's offense with quarterback Russell Wilson targeting fellow tight end Darnell Washington twice more than Freiermuth since taking over for Justin Fields in Week 7. Even with a few big names on bye this week, fantasy managers should not rely on Freiermuth as there are likely better replacement options available on waivers.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens enters Week 12 with the fourth-most receiving yards in the NFL and will look to advance his breakout campaign against the Cleveland Browns. Although the Browns have been solid defensively this year, they have been exploited by opposing wideouts. Cleveland allows the fourth-most fantasy points per game to receivers despite surrendering the fourth-fewest receptions to the position. In other words, the Browns give up big plays and touchdowns, which is exactly how Pickens tends to make an impact. The third-year pro has only scored twice this season but is tied for the sixth-most red zone targets in the league and has had multiple touchdowns overturned or nullified by penalties. Fantasy managers should confidently deploy Pickens as a low-end WR1 on Thursday night.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) recorded seven receptions for 70 yards in his return from an MCL sprain in Week 11. In a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Metcalf was able to deliver a solid day from an efficiency perspective as he finished second on the team with nine targets. Metcalf continued his solid season. Metcalf and fellow wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba accounted for most of the Seahawks' receiving yards and have formed a relatively dynamic duo in 2024. Although Smith-Njigba earned more targets in this game, Metcalf's nine were his fourth-most of the season. Metcalf should continue to deliver in fantasy as he gets more comfortable in his return from injury. He has a chance to go on a nice run over the next few weeks with the Arizona Cardinals and the struggling defense of the New York Jets on the docket. Metcalf should have a safe floor as a WR2 in fantasy with major upside to finish as a WR1 in any given week.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth logged two receptions for 14 yards on two targets in an 18-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Freiermuth, who found the end zone last week, continued to have a limited role in the Steelers' offense led by quarterback Russell Wilson. He gained fewer than 20 yards for a third straight game and ceded four opportunities to second-year tight end Darnell Washington. Fantasy managers who drafted Freiermuth likely aren't still relying on him at this point in the season. He can be dropped in most redraft formats and should not be viewed as a viable option against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.