Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC North | 8-8-0
Avg PTS
18.1
Rank: 28th
Avg Yds
291.3
Rank: 32nd
Avg PYds
200.9
Rank: 31st
Avg RYds
90.4
Rank: 28th
Posted 8/13/2020 5:04 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Aug. 13.
Huddle Up: Samuels will be competing for the No. 2 running back job and should see a handful of touches each game if he wins the job. He could be a handcuff to James Conner or a late round pick in deeper fantasy leagues.
Posted 8/12/2020 10:54 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner said Wednesday, Aug. 12, he never considered opting out, despite the fact he's a high-risk player as a cancer survivor. 'Going on four years now removed from cancer,' Conner said. 'I didn't really have to talk to my family. It was never a concern for me. I've been healthy for years now. It was an easy decision for me. I never really gave much thought to it. I'm healthy and my immune system is back healthy. I'm not worried.'
Huddle Up: Conner stands to have a good bounce-back season with QB Ben Roethlisberger back under center for the Steelers. He totaled just 464 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 116 carries over 10 games in 2019. This is also a contract season for him, and he should be targeted as a low-tier RB2.
Posted 8/07/2020 3:03 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers WR James Washington was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Aug. 7.
Huddle Up: Washington could start opposite of Juju Smith-Schuster, but he'll need to step it up to stave off Chase Claypool. Washington figures to be a WR4 or WR5 in fantasy.
Posted 8/04/2020 3:53 pm UTC
Updating previous reports, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) said he tore three flexor tendons off the bone, and he's attempting to come back from a surgery he believes no quarterback has ever come back from. It wasn't Tommy John surgery, but it was somewhat similar and equally serious.
Huddle Up: In a nutshell, he's attempting to come back from reconstructive elbow surgery at 38. He can be a matchup play, but he's not the best fallback option should your QB1 go down.
Posted 8/02/2020 5:49 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers WR James Washington was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday, Aug. 2.
Huddle Up: Washington will be sidelined for an undisclosed amount of time, so fantasy players can keep an eye on the situation. He had a solid 2019 season with 73 receiving yards and should be a top-three receiver for the Steelers again this season. He can be a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver in fantasy leagues.
Posted 8/02/2020 5:41 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday, Aug. 2.
Huddle Up: Samuels will be sidelined for an undisclosed amount of time, so fantasy players can keep an eye on the situation. Samuels likely will see a handful of touches each game as long as James Conner can stay healthy. Samuels can be a handcuff to Conner in fantasy leagues or a late round pick for depth at the position.
Posted 7/30/2020 5:32 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Chase Claypool said he was able to catch some passes from QB Ben Roethlisberger this offseason.
Huddle Up: Claypool likely will not be a starter but should have a decent role in the passing game because of his size. He may be a popular target in the red zone, which would help his fantasy value. He can be a late round option in standard leagues but will have more value in keeper leagues.
Posted 7/28/2020 4:27 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner is expected to play in 2020, according to a source, despite being a cancer survivor. New England Patriots OT Marcus Cannon chose to opt out as a fellow cancer survivor, spurring questions about Conner's intentions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Conner is four years cancer-free and in phenomenal shape, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Huddle Up: There's potential value to be found in drafting Conner after his down year. The entire offense was knocked off of the rails via injuries, and Conner is a dual threat for PPR purposes. That said, his workload could be lessened a tad with the considerable depth Pittsburgh rosters at the position. Treat him as an RB2 for most drafting purposes.
Posted 7/22/2020 8:36 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-round draft choice RB Anthony McFarland signed a four-year contract with the Steelers Tuesday, July 21. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Huddle Up: McFarland is expected to be a change-of-pace back for the Steelers this season and probably will see a few touches each game. He may only be an option in keeper leagues at this point but could be a waiver wire option during the season.
Posted 7/21/2020 11:42 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster has been targeted 45 times on throws 20-plus downfield in his NFL career and doesn't have a single dropped pass, according to Pro Football Focus.
Huddle Up: QB Ben Roethlisberger will be able to take much better advantage of Smith-Schuster's big-play abilities than QBs Mason Rudolph or Devlin Hodges did last season. JuJu should be able to return to high-end WR2 status following a down year.
Posted 7/11/2020 3:04 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has the NFL's air yards percentage over the last two seasons at 46 percent, according to Pro Football Focus.
Huddle Up: Roethlisberger led the NFL with 5,129 passing yards in 2018, but he relied heavily on WRs Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster's abilities after the catch. He's healthy following a 2019 season lost to injury and should be targeted as a mid-tier QB1.
Posted 7/01/2020 9:26 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster may be lined up in the slot more often this upcoming season because of the addition of WR Chase Claypool, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Brooke Pryor.
Huddle Up: Smith-Schuster had a disappointing 2019 season because of injuries and playing with backup quarterbacks. He should have more success with Ben Roethlisberger healthy and would have better matchups if he lines up as a slot receiver. He has a chance to be a No. 2 receiver in fantasy leagues.
Posted 6/23/2020 7:13 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) has impressed coaches and doctors with his progress from last year's season-ending injury, according to head coach Mike Tomlin Tuesday, June 23. 'He's comfortable and pleased where he is,' Tomlin said. 'Some people who had the opportunity to work with him are impressed and pleased where he is. The medical experts are comfortable where he is and his readiness for 2020.'
Huddle Up: A little less than three months away from the scheduled start of the 2020 season, Roethlisberger seems to remain on track for the beginning of the campaign. He'll be a low-end QB1 when healthy and also helps boost the fantasy stocks of the rest of the Steelers' top playmakers including WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and RB James Conner.
Posted 6/19/2020 2:38 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers DE Cameron Heyward said he's remaining patient in his quest for a new contract. The team has yet to sign any of their rookies, and Heyward is understanding of that in the COVID-19 crisis.
Huddle Up: Heyward is on the other side of 30, but he was the third DL in fantasy points last season. Look for him to be a top-five candidate again as he's hungry for a deal.
Posted 6/16/2020 2:39 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers LB Devin Bush is expected to play more than the 82.3 percent of the snaps he played last season. He could be an every-down, every-situation player.
Huddle Up: Bush was 18th in fantasy points at the position last year as a rookie, and that figures to improve. Look at him as a low-end LB1 with sneaky upside.
Posted 6/08/2020 9:17 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson forced 18 missed tackles during the 2019 season, which tied for second in the NFL.
Huddle Up: The Steelers struggled at quarterback last season, but Johnson still finished with 680 yards and five touchdowns. He is on track to be the No. 2 receiver for the Steelers this upcoming season and should be able to improve his stats with Ben Roethlisberger back from injury. Johnson has the chance to be a No. 3 receiver in fantasy leagues.
Posted 6/06/2020 2:18 am UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron and TE Vance McDonald will likely battle for the starting role during training camp, according to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Huddle Up: Both McDonald and Ebron saw a dramatic drop in their production in 2019, but the fact that Ebron is expected to at least be used as a red zone weapon gives him the better fantasy outlook. Consider him a touchdown-dependent TE2 with streaming potential.
Posted 6/06/2020 2:07 am UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson might not see much of an increase in his numbers in his second season because of the additions of TE Eric Ebron and WR Chase Claypool, in the opinion of Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Huddle Up: Johnson finished his rookie campaign with 59 catches for 680 yards and five touchdowns, but while Pittsburgh's passing attack will have more mouths to feed in 2020, a healthy Ben Roethlisberger would go a long way to boosting the numbers of the entire offense. Johnson is worth grabbing in the later rounds in case he emerges as the No. 2 option.
Posted 6/05/2020 6:14 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) is a co-favorite, along with Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski to win the 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, according to odds posted by MGM.
Huddle Up: Big Ben turned 38 this offseason and has played in only two games since the 2018 season concluded with him finishing as fantasy's third-ranked QB. He certainly has QB1 upside given all the uncertainty, value him as a QB2 in drafts this summer.
Posted 6/02/2020 8:28 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner said Tuesday, June 2, he won't be keeping track of how many carries he gets in 2020. 'It's our job to be at our best no matter how many carries,' Conner said, via Ed Bouchette of TheAthletic.com. 'We got to start fast, we have to hit first as a back. That's what I'm going to take pride in this year, just to start fast, whether I'm the guy, however this year works. I said the goal is to win. We need to be ready at all times. Can't warm up to it. That's our slogan, that's what we've been saying: 'Can't warm up to it.' I'm not really paying attention to how many carries I need, I don't really believe in that.'
Huddle Up: Conner projects to lead a backfield including Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell Jr. and rookie Anthony McFarland Jr. The 25-year-old was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018 after racking up 973 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 215 carries while adding 497 yards and one more score as a pass-catcher. He took a step back in 2019 while battling injuries and finished with 715 yards from scrimmage with seven total scores. He'll be a high-end RB2 if healthier this season, even if he does share the workload more than he did in 2018.
Posted 5/27/2020 8:38 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (groin) said he played most of the 2019 season with a groin injury and had to undergo surgery in February to repair the injury. He has not received full clearance to train at this point but hopes to be cleared in a few days.
Huddle Up: Johnson finished his rookie season with 680 yards and five touchdowns despite the injury and likely will be one of the starting receivers for the Steelers in 2020. He likely will be selected in all fantasy drafts but will not be a weekly starting option.
Posted 5/25/2020 8:12 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Benny Snell should be able to be more productive for the Steelers this upcoming season since he will be more comfortable playing in the NFL, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.
Huddle Up: Snell rushed for 426 yards and two touchdowns during his rookie season and saw more playing time than expected because of an injury to RB James Conner. He likely will be the No. 2 running back for the Steelers in 2020 and should see a handful of carries each game. He should be a handcuff to Conner in drafts and could be a late round pick in other drafts.
Posted 5/19/2020 4:22 pm UTC
Updating previous reports, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) has been ready to throw for 'some time,' NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said. The Steelers coaches have been overly cautious with Roethlisberger following elbow surgery last year.
Huddle Up: The 38-year-old likely will continue to take it easy during the summer months, probably being placed on a pitch count until the team is fully confident in his recovery. In 2020 fantasy football drafts, Big Ben is a backup but should be considered a matchup play when the proper opportunities arise.
Posted 5/18/2020 7:02 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) recently worked out with RB James Conner, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and WR Ryan Switzer and was throwing passes during the workout.
Huddle Up: It appears Roethlisberger is on track to play in 2020 as long as he does not suffer a setback. He played well in his last full season and will have a solid group of pass catchers to work with this upcoming season. He can be considered a low-end No. 1 quarterback in deeper fantasy leagues.
Posted 5/15/2020 2:02 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner will remain the featured back in 2020, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. 'James is a featured guy and proven runner when healthy,' Tomlin said. 'We're excited about him getting back to health and displaying that in 2020. Benny Snell is a guy that is capable of being a featured runner who plays with a physical style in a similar manner to James. He's capable of being a James-type of guy if James is unavailable.'
Huddle Up: Conner is a physical runner that has had the propensity for injury. They have plenty of backs that can lighten the load via the air, which makes Conner a more attractive RB2 in non-PPR formats.
Posted 5/14/2020 11:08 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph will be the backup to Ben Roethlisberger in 2020, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.
Huddle Up: Rudolph was unimpressive over 10 games and eight starts in 2019. He finished the season with 1,765 yards and 13 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He won't have fantasy value in redraft leagues and he has very little value in dynasty leagues with the Steelers figuring to look elsewhere for the longterm replacement to Big Ben.
Posted 5/14/2020 11:01 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) has been progressing well in his recovery after missing the final 14 games of the 2019 season due to an elbow injury, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. 'He's doing great thus far. He's in great physical condition. Rehabilitation, in regards to the injury itself, is going well. I hear nothing but positive reports from that standpoint,' Tomlin said. 'There have been no bumps in the road.'
Huddle Up: Roethlisberger led the NFL in pass attempts (675), completions (452), yards (5,129) and interceptions (16) in 2018 before being limited to just a game-and-a-half last year. He no longer has WR Antonio Brown, but he still has WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, and TE Eric Ebron and WR Chase Claypool were added to the pass-catching corps. Big Ben will be a mid-tier QB1 entering draft season, and he also boosts the stocks of all of his receivers.
Posted 5/14/2020 10:16 pm UTC
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron (ankle) tweeted Thursday, May 14 he passed his physical. He added he has been able to run and cut without pain.
Huddle Up: Ebron is set to play a big role as a red-zone threat for the Steelers after signing as a free agent. He took a step back in 2019 with three touchdowns in 11 games after making a career-high 13 TD grabs and being named to the Pro Bowl in 2018.
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