Pittsburgh Steelers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Nobody performed better and more consistently for four weeks during offseason workouts than Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. He had an instant connection with new quarterback Russell Wilson and came across as a potential playmaker in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's tight-end-heavy offense. Pittsburgh can overcome their shortcomings at the receiver spot by relying more on Freiermuth this year. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts went over 1,000 yards as a rookie in Smith's offense, and Jonnu Smith had 50 catches with the Falcons in 2023, so there is a history of TEs thriving in this system. Freiermuth is talented enough to take a short pass and turn it into a big gain. Despite catching a career-low 32 passes for 308 yards and two TDs last year in 12 regular-season games, Freiermuth is entering his fourth season as a highly attractive high-end TE2 in fantasy.

Seattle Seahawks new head coach Mike Macdonald said his coaching staff plans to make wide receiver DK Metcalf a "moving target" for defenses this year. "I can tell you this: We want to get DK the ball a lot, too," Macdonald said. The Seahawks and new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb plan to move Metcalf around and get him the ball often after he ended the 2023 campaign on a sour note, catching just one pass for 10 yards in the season finale. Still, the 26-year-old made his second Pro Bowl and topped 1,000 yards receiving for the second straight season and the third time in five years while also visiting paydirt eight times. Fantasy managers won't complain about the Seahawks using Metcalf more creatively, including more in the slot, to make him more productive. Treat him as a solid WR2 wideout in fantasy drafts this fall.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth enjoyed immediate success when he entered the NFL as a second-round pick out of Penn State in 2021. As a rookie, he caught 60 of his 79 targets for 467 yards and seven touchdowns. In Year 2, he hauled in 63 passes for 732 yards and two scores and looked the part of an emerging high-floor fantasy tight end. Unfortunately, he was limited to just 12 games in 2023 and tallied just 308 yards and two touchdowns. However, with Russell Wilson at quarterback and Arthur Smith running the Pittsburgh offense, he could be headed toward a bounce-back campaign in 2024. Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly said Freiermuth was not only targeted heavily in OTAs, but he has looked like a "legitimate playmaker," and the team might extend his contract before Week 1. The Atlanta Falcons ranked among the top five teams in total tight end targets in two of Smith's three seasons as head coach, and in his final season as the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator in 2020, they ranked seventh in total tight end targets. Given the weak group of wide receivers behind George Pickens, it would not be a surprise if Freiermuth is the No. 2 option in the revamped passing game. He could be a solid value pick at his mid-range TE2 cost in early fantasy drafts.

Indianapolis Colts running back Evan Hull (knee) played in just one game and eight offensive snaps in his rookie season in 2023 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in which he tore his left MCL. "It was a root tear, so it was a little different than your typical tear in the body, which would be more of a six- to eight-week type of thing that we see typically," Hull said. The former third-rounder was cleared to resume all football activities a few weeks after offseason organized team activities begin, and he's been competing alongside Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson as the Colts evaluate who will serve as the primary back to Jonathan Taylor in 2024. Sermon is probably the favorite for the No. 2 backfield job, but Hull could see some third-down work in his second season in the NFL.

Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis are competing for the backup role behind Will Levis this offseason, according to head coach Brian Callahan. Rudolph was signed to a one-year, $2.87 million deal during free agency after leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to the playoffs behind a 74.3% completion percentage, three passing touchdowns, and no interceptions. Willis was selected by Tennessee in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and has thrown for 350 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions in 11 game appearances. Willis has looked overwhelmed in his limited action so far, making Rudolph the likely favorite to open Week 1 in the QB2 role. Both players are stash considerations in deep Superflex dynasty leagues.