Pittsburgh Steelers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Patterson enjoyed the best season of his career under current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Atlanta, so the move gives the veteran a smidge of fantasy relevance in 2024. In 2021, Patterson rushed 153 times for 618 yards and six touchdowns and caught 52 passes for 548 yards and five scores. He finished that campaign as the RB9 in PPR leagues. However, he posted just 219 yards of offense last season and turned 33 years old on March 17. In all likelihood, he will primarily be used on special teams and as a gadget player in the new-look Pittsburgh offense. Patterson holds the NFL record for kick return touchdowns (nine), and this move was made on the same day the league approved a revised kickoff.

The Tennessee Titans are signing veteran free-agent quarterback Mason Rudolph to a one-year deal worth up to $3.62 million, according to NFL insider Mike Garafolo. Rudolph played in four regular season games (three starts) for the Steelers last year, throwing for 719 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He completed a whopping 74.3% of his passes. Second-year quarterback Will Levis is expected to start for Tennessee in 2024, but given the struggles of backup Malik Willis, Rudolph is likely to earn the backup job. Although Levis flashed upside in his rookie campaign, he is not a proven asset. If he struggles mightily, Rudolph could be thrust into action. For now, he remains off the fantasy radar in all formats.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph is set to become a free agent this season. The former third-round pick from 2018 could very well end up right back in Pittsburgh. Recently, Steelers general manager Nick Khan said they want to bring back Rudolph next season. It sounds like the organization still has full faith in Kenny Pickett under center. However, they want to bring in some competition in case Pickett fails to claim the starting gig. Rudolph knows the system well and led the team to a 3-0 record this past season. The Steelers even started Rudolph during their playoff game versus the Buffalo Bills. The 28-year-old isn't going to save the franchise. Although, Rudolph could be a bridge option for the team if Pickett doesn't work out.

The addition of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith bodes well for Pittsburgh Steelers tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. From 2021 to 2023 when Smith was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, they ran the most plays with multiple tight ends on the field (1,549), while the Steelers ran only 844 plays with multiple TEs, ranking 22nd in the league. Smith was inconsistent in using Kyle Pitts after his 1,000-yard rookie season, but Smith's scheme could help Freiermuth and Washington get more involved in 2024. The team's QB issues didn't help his cause, but Freiermuth had his worst season in his third year with Pittsburgh in 2023, catching 32 passes for only 308 yards and two touchdowns in 12 regular-season games. However, the 25-year-old finished the year strong and could bounce back in 2024 with better QB play.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers hiring former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator on Tuesday, it signals that they are committed to being a run-first team, which is good news for the fantasy stock of both running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Smith underwhelmed in three years in Atlanta, but his body of work in the NFL shows he's well-positioned to utilize a roster that has a potentially dominant RB tandem, especially if paired with an above-average offensive line and serviceable quarterback. Smith's offenses in Atlanta and Tennessee consistently had some of the NFL's best rushing attacks. "I think we have two high-performing running backs in Najee and Jaylen and they, along with an improving offensive line, can be the foundation of success going forward," owner Art Rooney II said.