Mike Williams DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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 Mike Williams has both opportunity and a great matchup in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, but starting him at this stage of the fantasy playoffs is not advised. Pittsburgh will again be without top receiver George Pickens (hamstring) and Baltimore has been unusually poor against the pass, ranking 31st against fantasy receivers. However, it's awfully difficult to start a receiver that played only 29% and 35% of the team's snaps without Pickens the past two weeks. Williams may see a slight uptick in production against Baltimore, but he's just not getting enough run in the Steelers' offense to gamble on this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams put up a dud in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams saw two targets and hauled in one catch for 15 yards. In a game where the Steelers were (+5.5) underdogs and expected to throw more playing from behind, they could only muster up 128 yards through the air. There was some optimism for a stronger performance from Williams because George Pickens (hamstring) was sidelined, but he couldn't deliver. The Steelers will try to re-group and prepare for a pivotal divisional matchup in Week 16 at the Baltimore Ravens. Williams is not a recommended start moving forward. He does not see the consistent targets and opportunities fantasy managers seek. Williams is a FLEX option at best in deep-league formats versus the Ravens in Week 16.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams should once again be more involved in the offense in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday with George Pickens (hamstring) missing a second straight game. However, Williams still won't be recommended as a starting fantasy play in most formats in the first round of the playoffs this week in most leagues. The 30-year-old big-bodied deep threat played only 29% of the offensive snaps in last week's win over the Browns with Pickens out, but he did see his most targets (four) in his fifth game with the team and caught three passes for 36 yards. Pittsburgh could be facing limited passing volume for the second straight week on the road in a hostile environment against an Eagles defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to receivers this year. Williams is no more than a desperation flex play that will most likely burn you.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams logged three receptions for 36 yards on four targets in a 27-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns. With George Pickens (hamstring) inactive, Williams stepped up for quarterback Russell Wilson, particularly down the field in contested catch situations. If Pickens were to miss extended time, Williams would likely become an intriguing fantasy asset, but it's difficult to project him for consistent opportunities otherwise. It is possible, however, that the veteran is more involved going forward. He is worth rostering in bestball and dynasty formats, but Williams will remain off the fantasy radar in most redraft leagues heading into a Week 15 meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles.