(Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports)
Key Fantasy Additions
- None
Key Fantasy Departures
- None
Team Overview
The Steelers emerged from a tough AFC North as the champions and the #3 seed in the AFC playoffs at 11-5, however they were upended at home in the Wild Card Round by divisional foe Baltimore. Pittsburgh was probably one of the most fantasy relevant teams in the entire league last season, with definitive studs at pretty much every skill position. The Steelers kept opposing defenses more than occupied with names such as Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, and of course Big Ben Roethlisberger. The men in yellow and black plan on continuing to give defenses nightmares in the upcoming 2015 season.
Quarterback
Miami (OH) product Ben Roethlisberger had a flat-out outstanding 2014 campaign, and he was one of the top rated fantasy quarterbacks once the season ended. He nearly eclipsed 5,000 passing yards (4,952 to be exact) and threw for 32 TD’s against only 9 interceptions. I think fantasy owners can expect similar output this upcoming season even if the Steelers are playing a “first place” schedule.
Roethlisberger is currently the sixth QB being taken in fantasy drafts, in about the 6th or 7th rounds in standard snake drafts. This is probably an appropriate position for Big Ben, although I could argue he’s going to be more valuable than Peyton Manning and Drew Brees who are currently being drafted ahead of him. You have to love Roethlisberger’s intangibles: veteran leadership, toughness, and an intense drive to win. And the supporting cast around him is one of the best in the NFL, so fantasy owners should be eager to get their hands on Roethlisberger this upcoming season. Do remember that star RB Le’Veon Bell is suspended for the first two games of the season, so that could put a bit of a damper onto Ben’s production.
Position Grade: B+
Running Back
One of the best backs in the league and only in his third year, Michigan State alum Le’Veon Bell had an awesome 2014 season but unfortunately chose to celebrate by lighting up a doobie which is going to cost him the first two games of the season. Even though he will be without two games of stats, Bell is expected to be one of the top fantasy backs in 2015.
Health is going to be an issue for Bell as it is for any running back, but if he can play the full season like he did in 2014, he has the potential to eclipse his numbers in two fewer games. Obviously Bell is valuable as a rusher, but he garners particular appeal in PPR leagues where points are awarded per reception. In 2014 the Steelers RB had at least 5 receptions in all but four games. Even in a standard league those 4-5 extra points that Bell can get your team from receiving yards is extremely clutch. Bell put up over 2,000 all-purpose yards last season, and he should do so again in 2015. This tantalizing fantasy production will have owners drafting him in the first round of most drafts this fall. For those of you in deeper leagues looking for a speculative add when Bell is sidelined due to his suspension, look at his backup Dri Archer for some under-the-radar production in the first two weeks.
Position Grade: A
Wide Receiver
The Steelers’ Antonio Brown arguably had one of the best fantasy seasons for a wideout in 2014. He amassed an astonishing 129 receptions for 1698 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged nearly 110 yards/game and only had one fumble the whole season which is a nice reassurance for fantasy owners. Brown has no real stiff competition for targets, so he should be in line for another monster year in the Steel City. The Central Michigan product and his teammate Le’Veon Bell are both being taken in the early first round of fantasy drafts, and Brown is currently one of the first WR’s taken. This draft position is definitely justifiable, and even as an avid Bengals fan, I would love to have Brown on my fantasy team as he is a perennial stud who will rack up points week in and week out.
As for the competition behind Brown, two quasi-obscure names pop up in that discussion. Clemson rookie Martavis Bryant only played 10 games last season, but he attained an awesome 549 yards receiving with eight touchdowns. If you were lucky enough to scoop him off of the waiver wire like I was, then he was more than likely a nice shot of adrenaline for your team. I anticipate Bryant to be the WR2 behind Brown, however some rumblings out of Steelers camp have Markus Wheaton ahead of Bryant on the depth chart. Even if Wheaton is ahead currently, he doesn’t offer much fantasy upside as he only had two TD’s all of last season. If you are looking to target a Steelers WR other than Brown, I would definitely give Martavis Bryant a long look!
Position Grade: A
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Tight End
Heath Miller has been a solid option at tight end for years for the Pittsburgh Steelers, however his real-life and fantasy value are quickly dwindling with age. He did have a very solid 2014 campaign, with 66 receptions for 761 yards and 3 touchdowns. Health is always an issue for Miller, and some of his aforementioned teammates will vulture most of the TD’s in the red zone. However, in the naturally shallow TE position, the veteran tight end could prove useful to your squad if he can avoid injury.
Position Grade: B-
Summary
To put it bluntly, if you manage to get one of the Steelers skill players in your upcoming fantasy draft you’re probably going to do extremely well in your league. Roethlisberger, Bell, and Brown are all Studs with a capital S and will be invaluable assets every week. These guys will terrorize opposing defenses all year long, I just hope their damage is limited against my Bengals!
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