Showing posts with label Pat Freiermuth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pat Freiermuth. Show all posts

Friday, September 1, 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Fantasy Football Projections

Our Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2023 fantasy football projections for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kenny Pickett562.9360.83968.422.812.3868.22662.73268.16
Mitchell Trubisky39.125.4273.71.520.948.122.30.2418.82

Kenny Pickett: The Steelers went 7-5 in Pickett's starts, but he threw more interceptions (nine, 2.3%) than touchdowns (seven, 1.8%) in 2022. That said, eight of his nine interceptions were thrown in his first five games. Some breakout potential exists if he continues to build upon his late-season improvements in efficiency, however, and an impressive preseason (13-of-15 for 199 yards and two TDs for a perfect 158.3 passer rating) provides additional reason for optimism.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Najee Harris228.8926.65.7238.6275.71.5182.85
Jaylen Warren114.2496.82.7429.4222.71.1109.69
Anthony McFarland Jr.25.4101.60.51538.20.220.74

Najee Harris: While the touches (381 to 313), targets (94 to 53) and yards from scrimmage (1,667 to 1,263) all dropped year over year, Harris managed to play a full 17-game slate once again despite some worries about a Lisfranc injury before the start of the season. An improved offensive line and offense overall should help a healthy Harris, who was RB14 in half-PPR in 2022, but the main concern is how much will second-year UDFA Jaylen Warren eat into his workload?

Jaylen Warren: Warren had 105 touches for 593 yards and a touchdown in 2022 and finished as fantasy's RB51 (half-PPR scoring). The Athletic's Mark Kaboly wrote in June "[t]he way [Warren] attacks the hole during drills is something to be seen. ... there is no way [OC] Canada can keep him off the field as much as he did last season." Expected to earn more of a workload in 2023, Warren should outperform his ADP even if Harris does not miss any time and has top-15 upside if he does.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Diontae Johnson85.91001.15.76.944.90.21183.01
George Pickens73.4973.65.73.524.50.18171.79
Allen Robinson II36.7428.52.600076.8
Calvin Austin III24.7273.61.51.260.0249.43
Gunner Olszewski4.450.90.34.624.20.1812.59
Miles Boykin2.731.80.20005.73

Diontae Johnson: For three consecutive seasons, Johnson has more than 85 catches and 140 targets and has led the team in receiving yards. Only four receivers — Davante Adams (498), Stefon Diggs (484), Justin Jefferson (476), and Tyreek Hill (464) — have more targets than Johnson (460) over that span. Despite scoring 15 touchdowns in the previous two seasons combined (2020-21), Johnson set the NFL record in 2022 for most receptions (86) without a touchdown. In other words, positive touchdown regression should be expected.

George Pickens: Among rookie wide receivers, only Atlanta's Drake London (866) had more yards than Pickens (801) in 2022. Pickens averaged 15.4 yards per catch and made a number of acrobatic highlight-reel catches throughout the year.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Pat Freiermuth61676.64000122.16
Darnell Washington12.41400.900025.6
Connor Heyward12129.40.81.411.20.0725.28

Pat Freiermuth: Freiermuth followed up a strong rookie season (60/497/7) with 63 catches for 732 yards and two touchdowns. Despite scoring only twice in 2022, Freiermuth finished as fantasy's TE8 (half-PPR scoring). He had at least three catches in 13 of 16 games played.

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Friday, August 25, 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Fantasy Football Projections

Our Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2023 fantasy football projections for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kenny Pickett576.6369.63949.721.0512.6968.22662.73259.79
Mitchell Trubisky40.126.1280.71.560.968220.2419.19

Kenny Pickett: The Steelers went 7-5 in Pickett's starts, but he threw more interceptions (nine, 2.3%) than touchdowns (seven, 1.8%) in 2022. That said, eight of his nine interceptions were thrown in his first five games. Pickett had zero multiple touchdown games and only one 300-yard passing game (Week 5, 52-attempt 38-3 loss to the Bills in his first-ever start). Some breakout potential exists if he continues to build upon his late-season improvements in efficiency, but how much will the Steelers open up the offense?

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Najee Harris231.8938.85.842.5296.11.5188.54
Jaylen Warren107.7468.52.5827.1200.90.9101.37
Anthony McFarland Jr.22.790.80.455.138.10.219.34

Najee Harris: While the touches (381 to 313), targets (94 to 53) and yards from scrimmage (1,667 to 1,263) all dropped year over year, Harris managed to play a full 17-game slate once again despite some worries about a Lisfranc injury before the start of the season. An improved offensive line and offense overall should help a healthy Harris, who was RB14 in half-PPR in 2022. (One concern is a more efficient Jaylen Warren eating into his workload, but Harris was a volume-based RB4 as a rookie in 2021.)

Jaylen Warren: Warren had 105 touches for 593 yards and a touchdown in 2022 and finished as fantasy's RB51 (half-PPR scoring). The Athletic's Mark Kaboly wrote in June "[t]he way [Warren] attacks the hole during drills is something to be seen. ... there is no way [OC] Canada can keep him off the field as much as he did last season." Expected to earn more of the workload in 2023, Warren should outperform his ADP even if Harris does not miss any time and has top-15 upside if he does.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Diontae Johnson88998.45.36.844.20.2181.26
George Pickens76.2981.55.43.423.80.17172.05
Allen Robinson37.6427.32.400075.93
Calvin Austin III23.3251.71.21.15.50.0244.69
Gunner Olszewski3.640.20.24.523.60.1810.46

Diontae Johnson: For three consecutive seasons, Johnson has more than 85 catches and 140 targets and has led the team in receiving yards. Only four receivers — Davante Adams (498), Stefon Diggs (484), Justin Jefferson (476), and Tyreek Hill (464) — have more targets than Johnson (460) over that span. Despite scoring 15 touchdowns in the previous two seasons combined (2020-21), Johnson set the NFL record in 2022 for most receptions (86) without a touchdown. In other words, positive touchdown regression should be expected.

George Pickens: Among rookie wide receivers, only Atlanta's Drake London (866) had more yards than Pickens (801) in 2022. Pickens averaged 15.4 yards per catch and made a number of acrobatic highlight-reel catches throughout the year.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Pat Freiermuth63.5685.33.8000123.08
Darnell Washington12.7139.60.800025.11
Connor Heyward12.31290.71.411.20.0724.79
Zach Gentry3.842.30.20007.33

Pat Freiermuth: Freiermuth followed up a strong rookie season (60/497/7) with 63 catches for 732 yards and two touchdowns. Despite scoring only twice in 2022, Freiermuth finished as fantasy's TE8 (half-PPR scoring). He had at least three catches in 13 of 16 games played.

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Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Fantasy Football Projections

Our Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2023 fantasy football projections for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kenny Pickett568.7364.53895.620.7612.5169269.12.76257.31
Mitchell Trubisky42.827.8299.61.671.038220.2420.24

Kenny Pickett: The Steelers went 7-5 in Pickett's starts, but he threw more interceptions (nine, 2.3%) than touchdowns (seven, 1.8%) in 2022. That said, eight of his nine interceptions were thrown in his first five games. Pickett had zero multiple touchdown games and only one 300-yard passing game (Week 5, 52-attempt 38-3 loss to the Bills in his first-ever start). Some breakout potential exists if he continues to build upon his late-season improvements in efficiency, but how much will the Steelers open up the offense?

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Najee Harris241.3977.36.0343.2297.91.5194.3
Jaylen Warren101.2440.22.4324.3178.30.792.78
Anthony McFarland Jr.23920.465.137.80.219.49

Najee Harris: While the touches (381 to 313), targets (94 to 53) and yards from scrimmage (1,667 to 1,263) all dropped year over year, Harris managed to play a full 17-game slate once again despite some worries about a Lisfranc injury before the start of the season. An improved offensive line and offense overall should help a healthy Harris, who was RB14 in half-PPR in 2022. (Harris was a volume-based RB4 as a rookie in 2021.)

Jaylen Warren: The Athletic's Mark Kaboly wrote in June "[t]he way [Warren] attacks the hole during drills is something to be seen. ... there is no way [OC] Canada can keep him off the field as much as he did last season." Warren had 105 touches for 593 yards and a touchdown and finished as fantasy's RB51.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Diontae Johnson87.9996.45.36.944.90.21181.14
George Pickens74.5950.25.33.423.80.17167.47
Allen Robinson38.6438.42.500078.14
Calvin Austin III19.2207.711.15.50.0237.04
Gunner Olszewski3.539.90.24.624.20.1810.44
Miles Boykin4.356.60.30009.61

Diontae Johnson: Johnson has more than 85 catches and 140 targets while leading the team in receiving yards in three consecutive seasons. Despite scoring 15 touchdowns in the previous two seasons (2020-21), Johnson set the NFL record in 2022 for most receptions (86) without a touchdown. In other words, some positive touchdown regression should be expected.

George Pickens: Among rookie wide receivers, only Atlanta's Drake London (866) had more yards than Pickens (801) in 2022. Pickens averaged 15.4 yards per catch and made a number of acrobatic highlight-reel catches throughout the year.

Allen Robinson: Robinson had a monster 80/1400/14 line in his age-22 season (2015), and he exceeded 1,100 yards in back-to-back seasons as recently as 2019-20. Over the past two seasons, however, he has managed only 71 catches for 749 yards and four touchdowns over 22 games with the Bears and Rams. Expected to start in the slot, Robinson was labeled a "winner" by The Athletic earlier this offseason.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Pat Freiermuth63.2683.83.7000122.18
Darnell Washington12.6138.40.800024.94
Connor Heyward12.21280.71.411.20.0724.64
Zach Gentry3.7420.20007.25

Pat Freiermuth: Freiermuth followed up a strong rookie season (60/497/7) with 63 catches for 732 yards and two touchdowns. Despite scoring only twice in 2022, Freiermuth finished as fantasy's TE8 (half-PPR scoring). He had at least three catches in 13 of 16 games played.

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Saturday, July 8, 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Fantasy Football Projections

Our Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2023 fantasy football projections for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kenny Pickett568.7364.53895.620.7612.5169269.12.76257.31
Mitchell Trubisky42.827.8299.61.671.038220.2420.24

Kenny Pickett: The Steelers went 7-5 in Pickett's starts, but he threw more interceptions (nine, 2.3%) than touchdowns (seven, 1.8%) in 2022. That said, eight of his nine interceptions were thrown in his first five games. Pickett had zero multiple touchdown games and only one 300-yard passing game (Week 5, 52-attempt 38-3 loss to the Bills in his first-ever start). There may be some breakout potential as he continues to build upon his late-season improvements in efficiency, but as OC Matt Canada recently described "what our identity is going to be. We want to run the ball, we want to be physical, and we want to be a good team that can throw the football down the field."

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Najee Harris243.8987.46.143.2297.91.5195.73
Jaylen Warren90.8390.42.0424.3178.30.785.46
Anthony McFarland Jr.23920.465.137.80.219.49
Jason Huntley5.521.50.122.416.80.16.35

Najee Harris: While the touches (381 to 313), targets (94 to 53) and yards from scrimmage (1,667 to 1,263) all dropped year over year, Harris managed to play a full 17-game slate once again despite some worries about a Lisfranc injury before the start of the season. The Steelers traded up for Georgia's Broderick Jones, and Kenny Pickett should take a step forward in year two, so that could lead to an improvement from his 2022 RB14 half-PPR performance.

Jaylen Warren: The Athletic's Mark Kaboly wrote in June "[t]he way [Warren] attacks the hole during drills is something to be seen. ... there is no way [OC] Canada can keep him off the field as much as he did last season."

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Diontae Johnson86.3954.45.26.944.90.21175.54
George Pickens74.5950.25.33.423.80.17167.47
Allen Robinson38.6438.42.500078.14
Calvin Austin III15.3165.70.71.15.50.0229.09
Miles Boykin6.381.80.500014.33
Gunner Olszewski4.550.30.26.936.20.2813.78

Diontae Johnson: Johnson has more than 85 catches and 140 targets and has led the Steelers in receiving yards in three consecutive seasons. Despite scoring 15 touchdowns in 2020-21, no receiver had more receptions than Johnson (86) in 2022 without a single touchdown reception. In fact, no receiver in NFL history has ever had as many receptions as Johnson without scoring a touchdown, so some positive touchdown regression should be expected.

George Pickens: Among rookie wide receivers, only Atlanta's Drake London (866) had more yards than Pickens (801) in 2022. Pickens averaged 15.4 yards per catch and made a number of acrobatic highlight-reel catches throughout the year.

Allen Robinson: Robinson had a monster 80/1400/14 line in his age-22 season (2015), and he exceeded 1,100 yards in back-to-back seasons as recently as 2019-20. Over the past two seasons, however, he has managed only 71 catches for 749 yards and four touchdowns over 22 games with the Bears and Rams. Expected to start in the slot, Robinson has been labeled a "winner" this offseason.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Pat Freiermuth63.2713.23.9000126.32
Darnell Washington12.6138.40.800024.94
Connor Heyward12.4130.10.71.411.20.0724.95
Zach Gentry3.7420.20007.25

Pat Freiermuth: Freiermuth followed up a strong rookie season (60/497/7) with 63 catches for 732 yards and two touchdowns. Despite scoring only twice in 2022, Freiermuth finished as fantasy's TE8 (half-PPR scoring). He had at least three catches in 13 of 16 games played.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Football Projections 2022

Our 2022 Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2022 fantasy football projections for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kenny Pickett499.4318.43570.720.2311.7444.5189.10.89224.52
Mitchell Trubisky124.980.6868.153.1220.598.40.5161.38

Kenny Pickett: Even if he's not the Week 1 starter against the Bengals (although he should be), Pickett was drafted to take the reigns in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. The only first-round quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickett has good (not elite) arm strength and mobility and broke Deshaun Watson's single-season ACC passing touchdowns record last season.

Mitchell Trubisky: Even though the Steelers drafted Pickett in the first round, Trubisky appears to be on track to open the season as the starter. Even so, there's a strong chance that he doesn't finish the season in that role.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Najee Harris278.71142.76.2761.4483.82.5245.97
Benny Snell45182.30.910.275.50.539.28
Jaylen Warren42172.21.017.857.70.435.35
Derek Watt1.13.50.03433.30.27.06

Najee Harris: In fantasy football, volume is king. That really helped Harris, who averaged only 3.9 yards per carry and 6.3 yards per reception as a rookie. No player had more touches than Harris, who converted his 381 touches into 1,667 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. Despite his per-touch inefficiency, Harris finished as a top-four fantasy running back across all scoring formats in 2021. Harris says he dealt with a sprained Lisfranc in training camp, but he should be fine for Week 1.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Diontae Johnson871045.35.55.241.60.1185.79
Chase Claypool61.48504.810.856.20.54153.36
George Pickens55.3714.64.3000124.91
Calvin Austin III27.5284.11.51.88.10.0452.21
Miles Boykin6.493.20.500015.52
Gunner Olszewski1.822.20.10003.72
Steven Sims0.811.10.10002.11

Diontae Johnson: In his third season, Johnson posted career highs in targets (169), receptions (107), yards (1,161) and touchdowns (eight) and finished as fantasy's WR8 (half-PPR scoring). The retirement of Ben Roethlisberger likely leads to a dip from Johnson's elite volume, but it could lead to more targets further down the field.

Chase Claypool: Claypool's targets, receptions and yards were nearly identical in his first two seasons. What wasn't nearly identical were the touchdowns. Claypool scored 11 times, counting two rushing scores, as a rookie, but only twice in 2021.

George Pickens: With Johnson, Claypool and Pat Freiermuth all productive pass catchers, the Steelers don't necessarily need Pickens to be a big part of the passing offense as a rookie. That said, the second-round rookie has generated tons of buzz throughout training camp and played well during the preseason. The Athletic's Mark Kaboly described Pickens "one of the best WRs that I've seen as a rookie."

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Pat Freiermuth62.8641.44.2000120.74
Zach Gentry7.675.50.500014.35
Connor Heyward5510.30009.4

Pat Freiermuth: More productive than the typical rookie tight end, Freiermuth finished 2021 with 60 receptions for 497 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 targets. The former Nittany Lion enters his second season as a top-10 option at the position.

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Friday, July 29, 2022

Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Football Projections 2022

Our 2022 Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2022 fantasy football projections for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kenny Pickett352.92252523.214.298.2932.9139.80.66159.45
Mitchell Trubisky230.2148.51599.99.215.7630.21450.76108.38
Mason Rudolph30.718.9208.81.290.832.36.3012.48

Kenny Pickett: Pickett was drafted to take the reigns in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era even if he's not the Week 1 starter against the Bengals. The only first-round quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickett has good (not great) arm strength and mobility and broke Deshaun Watson's single-season ACC passing touchdowns record last season. There's a good chance that he makes starts as a rookie.

Mitchell Trubisky: Even though the Steelers drafted Pickett in the first round, Trubisky is the odds-on favorite to open the season as the starter. Even so, there's a strong chance that he doesn't finish the season in that role.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Najee Harris289.511876.5160.4472.22.5250.18
Benny Snell53214.71.069.873.60.442.49
Anthony McFarland Jr.26.51100.534.730.30.220.76
Derek Watt1.23.80.043.932.50.27.02
Jeremy McNichols6.928.30.141.8130.16.47

Najee Harris: In fantasy football, volume is king. That really helped Harris, who averaged only 3.9 yards per carry and 6.3 yards per reception as a rookie. That said, no player had more touches than Harris, who converted his 381 touches into 1,667 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. Despite his per-touch inefficiency, Harris finished as a top-four fantasy running back across all scoring formats in 2021.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Diontae Johnson89.11059.15.95.342.40.11190.76
Chase Claypool62.8855.64.911.157.70.56155.49
George Pickens45.1595.63.1000100.71
Calvin Austin III31.4324.91.81.88.10.0460.04
Miles Boykin7.3101.80.600017.43
Gunner Olszewski1.821.70.10003.67

Diontae Johnson: In his third season, Johnson posted career highs in targets (169), receptions (107), yards (1,161) and touchdowns (eight) and finished as fantasy's WR8 (half-PPR scoring). The retirement of Ben Roethlisberger likely leads to a dip from Johnson's elite volume, but it could lead to more targets further down the field.

Chase Claypool: Claypool's targets, receptions and yards were nearly identical in his first two seasons. What wasn't nearly identical were the touchdowns. Claypool scored 11 times, counting two rushing scores, as a rookie, but only twice in 2021. Given his elite height, weight and speed profile, a regression to the mean in touchdown performance is likely.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Pat Freiermuth62628.14.1000118.41
Zach Gentry7.573.60.500014.11
Connor Heyward4.949.80.30009.23

Pat Freiermuth: More productive than the typical rookie tight end, Freiermuth finished 2021 with 60 receptions for 497 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 targets. The former Nittany Lion enters his second season as a top-10 option at the position.

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Monday, November 1, 2021

Fantasy Football TE Waiver-Wire Rankings Heading into Week 9

Every week, we examine players that may be available on your league's waiver wire that could help your team in the short and/or long term.

For a player to be listed, he must be rostered in 50 percent (or less) of Yahoo! leagues. The goal is to provide recommendations of players that have a greater chance of being available on your league's waiver wire. Of course, your league's size and settings could significantly impact whether these players (or better options) are available in your particular league(s).

With that said, here are some tight end waiver-wire options to consider heading into Week 9 (Yahoo! % rostered in parenthesis):

[Note: Players listed below are sorted by our preference to add.]

1. Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars (4%)

Arnold led the Jaguars in receiving on Sunday with eight catches for 68 yards on 10 targets (19.61%). It was the second time in the past three games that Arnold has had a target share of at least 19%.

The matchup next week against the Bills isn't great, but it's possible that Arnold will once again lead the team in target share. At a minimum, his expected target share in a game where the Jaguars will be massive underdogs should at least put him in the streamer mix.

Over his past three games, Arnold has a total of 16 catches for 159 yards on 23 targets (7.67/G). Marvin Jones Jr. (160 yards) is the only Jag with more receiving yards during that stretch. Heading into Monday Night Football, Arnold ranks fifth among tight ends in targets per game from Weeks 5 to 8.

2. Evan Engram, New York Giants (32%)

Since making his season debut in Week 3, Engram has a minimum of four targets in every game and he is averaging 5.8 per contest. While he has yet to score, Engram is averaging 4.0/34.2 per game and has finished as a top-15 tight end in two of his past three games.

Engram has a favorable Monday Night Football matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The matchup in Week 9 is nearly as favorable, as the Las Vegas Raiders had allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends heading into Week 8.

3. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (10%)

For a second game in a row, Freiermuth had seven targets. Scoring his second touchdown of the season, the second-round rookie out of Penn State finished Sunday's game with four catches for 44 yards and a score.

Over the past two weeks, Freiermuth has combined for 11 catches for 102 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. He has finished as a top-12 fantasy tight end in both weeks and now has done so in three of his past five games played.

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Monday, September 20, 2021

Fantasy Football Week 3 TE Waiver Wire

Every week, we examine players that may be available on your league's waiver wire that could help your team in the short and/or long term.

For a player to be listed, he must be rostered in 50 percent (or less) of Yahoo! leagues. The goal is to provide recommendations of players that have a greater chance of being available on your league's waiver wire. Of course, your league's size and settings could significantly impact whether these players (or better options) are available in your particular league(s).

With that said, here are some tight end waiver-wire options to consider heading into Week 3 (Yahoo! % rostered in parenthesis):

[Note: Players listed below are sorted by our preference to add.]

1. Jared Cook, Los Angeles Chargers (43%)

There are 16 tight ends that are rostered in more than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues. In other words, it is slim pickings when were are discussing tight ends that fall into the TE17+ category.

While Cook has yet to score a touchdown (and most TEs in this range are TD-dependent), the 34-year-old veteran has seen at least five targets in each of his first two games as a Charger. In fact, he is one of seven tight ends to average at least 6.5 targets per game through Sunday Night Football. (That list includes Detroit's T.J. Hockenson, who had 10 targets in Week 1 and plays on MNF.)

Facing Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's high-powered offense in Week 3, the Chargers could be forced to throw often. Only three teams have allowed more points through Sunday night than the Chiefs.

2. Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns (48%)

The good news is that Hooper led the Browns in targets in Week 2. The bad news is the team high was only five targets, which Hooper converted into 5/40.

Hooper could have some Week 3 value if Odell Beckham misses his third consecutive game to start the season. In addition to another potential absence by OBJ, Jarvis Landry has a sprained MCL.

Earlier this offseason, coach Kevin Stefanski talked about increasing Hooper's role in the offense and this week could require it.

3. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (7%)

A deeper-league add, Freiermuth caught all four of his targets for 36 yards in Week 2. In contrast, Eric Ebron had a two-target catchless outing. Drawing some comps to former Steeler Heath Miller, Freiermuth could continue to emerge as the team's primary pass-catching tight end.

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Sunday, August 29, 2021

2021 Fantasy Football Projections: Pittsburgh Steelers

Our 2021 Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2021 fantasy football projections for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Ben Roethlisberger604.8390.14233.630.5410.2826.227.50.26275.25
Mason Rudolph4225.9281.41.950.954.45.50.0217.83

Ben Roethlisberger: After re-signing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal, Pittsburgh and Roethlisberger return one of the league's best wide receiver trios. In addition, only the one-win Jaguars (66.2%) threw it on a larger percentage of plays than the 12-win Steelers (65.48%) in 2020.

Not pushing the ball down the field the way he had in the past, Big Ben's 9.5 Y/C and 6.3 Y/A in 2020 were the lowest of his career (excluding a two-game 2019 season). Part of that was by design and The Athletic's Ed Bouchette highlights why those peripherals may be better in 2021.

Given that the Steelers used their first-round pick to draft Najee Harris, Alabama's all-time leading rusher, fantasy managers should expect a greater emphasis towards the run in 2021 even though Harris offers a three-down skill set that Roethlisberger could utilize in the passing game.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Najee Harris271.21166.2853408.62.6247.58
Benny Snell52.5212.61.319.265.50.241.47
Anthony McFarland Jr.39.4161.50.856.751.90.331.59
Kalen Ballage24.197.60.65.840.60.322.12
Derek Watt1.130.021.290.12.52

Najee Harris: The all-time career rushing leader in Alabama history, Harris rushed for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns and added 43 receptions for 425 yards and four more scores last season. With few holes in his game, Harris will step in as a Week 1 workhorse. Given the team's propensity to feature its lead back, Harris has the chance to outperform his ADP.

Benny Snell: There is competition on the depth chart, but Snell -- or whichever back ultimately slides into the RB2 role -- would become a top waiver-wire add if Harris were to miss any time, especially given how the team historically features one back.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Diontae Johnson88.89736.93.314.90.02184.71
Chase Claypool69.3952.7710.935.40.87180.68
JuJu Smith-Schuster79871.46.5000165.64
James Washington24.1336.43.300065.49
Ray-Ray McCloud15.4151.30.44.4330.0929.07

Diontae Johnson: Tied with Davante Adams and Keenan Allen, no receiver had more games with double-digit targets than Johnson (10). The second-year receiver averaged only 10.5 Y/R, but he turned his 144 targets into 88 catches for 923 yards and five touchdowns. While he needs to cut down on the drops, Johnson should be one of the league's most-targeted wideouts in 2021 even though the team re-signed JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Chase Claypool: Claypool scored 11 touchdowns -- nine receiving and two rushing -- in the regular season and added two more receiving scores in the team's playoff loss to Cleveland. Re-signing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal takes some steam out of Mapletron's upside in year two, but it wouldn't surprise me if he performed as the team's most productive wideout in 2021.

JuJu Smith-Schuster: After averaging 65.5 and 89.1 yards per game, respectively, in his first two seasons with the Steelers, Smith-Schuster has averaged 46.0 and 51.9 per game in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The Steelers re-signed Smith-Schuster to a one-year contract and he is a WR3 (both in fantasy and on his own team).

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Eric Ebron45.3467.33.900092.78
Pat Freiermuth16164.80.900029.88
Zach Gentry2.122.60.10003.91

Eric Ebron: In his first season with the Steelers, Ebron finished with 56 catches for 558 yards and five touchdowns. Given the team's talented trio of wide receivers and the likelihood that the Steelers run more often in 2021, Ebron's year-over-year numbers will likely dip.

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Monday, August 9, 2021

Fantasy Football Projections 2021: Pittsburgh Steelers

Our 2021 Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2021 fantasy football projections for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Ben Roethlisberger604.8390.14233.630.5410.2826.227.50.26275.25
Mason Rudolph4225.9281.41.950.954.45.50.0217.83

Ben Roethlisberger: With Pittsburgh re-signing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal, Roethlisberger has one of the league's best wide receiver trios at his disposal. Only the one-win Jaguars (66.2%) threw it on a larger percentage of plays than the 12-win Steelers (65.48%) in 2020, per Team Rankings.

At this stage of his career, however, he no longer pushes the ball down the field -- his 9.5 Y/C and 6.3 Y/A were the lowest of his career (excluding a two-game 2019 season). The Athletic's Ed Bouchette highlights why those peripherals may be better in 2021, but given that the Steelers used their first-round pick to draft Najee Harris, Alabama's all-time leading rusher, fantasy managers should expect a greater shift towards the run in 2021.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Najee Harris273.41175.68.0753.2419.92.8251.37
Benny Snell54.7221.51.379.265.50.242.72
Jaylen Samuels24.195.20.312.5880.428.77
Anthony McFarland Jr.35143.50.475.236.10.123.98
Derek Watt1.130.02190.12.42

Najee Harris: The all-time career rushing leader in Alabama history, Harris rushed for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns and added 43 receptions for 425 yards and four more scores last season. With few holes in his game, Harris will step in as a Week 1 workhorse. Given the team's propensity to feature its lead back, Harris has the chance to outperform his ADP.

Benny Snell: While there is some competition on the depth chart, Snell -- or whichever back ultimately slides into the RB2 role -- would become a top waiver-wire add if the team's first-round rookie misses any time given how the team historically features one back.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Diontae Johnson87.4957.26.83.314.90.02181.83
Chase Claypool68.6948.26.810.935.40.87178.68
JuJu Smith-Schuster75.9869.16.5000163.86
James Washington24.1336.43.400066.09
Ray-Ray McCloud15.4133.20.44.4330.0927.26

Diontae Johnson: Tied with Davante Adams and Keenan Allen, no receiver had more games with double-digit targets than Johnson (10). The second-year receiver averaged only 10.5 Y/R, but he turned his 144 targets into 88 catches for 923 yards and five touchdowns. While he needs to cut down on the drops, Johnson should be one of the league's most-targeted wideouts in 2021 even though the team re-signed JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Chase Claypool: Claypool scored 11 touchdowns -- nine receiving and two rushing -- in the regular season and added two more receiving scores in the team's playoff loss to Cleveland. Re-signing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal puts a dent into Mapletron's upside in year two, but it wouldn't surprise me if he was the team's top-producing wideout in 2021.

JuJu Smith-Schuster: After averaging 65.5 and 89.1 yards per game, respectively, in his first two seasons with the Steelers, Smith-Schuster has averaged 46.0 and 51.9 per game in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The Steelers re-signed Smith-Schuster to a one-year contract and he is a WR3 (both in fantasy and on his own team).

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Eric Ebron46.8483.1400095.71
Pat Freiermuth14.61490.800027
Zach Gentry2.120.30.10003.68

Eric Ebron: In his first season with the Steelers, Ebron finished with 56 catches for 558 yards and five touchdowns. Given the team's talented trio of wide receivers and the likelihood that the Steelers run more often in 2021, Ebron's year-over-year numbers will likely dip.

More Pittsburgh Steelers pages:

More of our content:

Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.