Knowledge is power and the greatest asset you can acquire in order to compete for a fantasy football championship.
Here’s your 2023 preview of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 28th of 32 team profiles during draft season:
2023 Fantasy MVP: Diontae Johnson, WR
Johnson (ADP: 79) scoring zero touchdowns after producing 86 receptions on 147 targets in 2022 is one of oddest statistics I’ve ever utilized in this space. The good news is he’s obviously due for positive-TD regression after scoring 15 times his previous two seasons. Also, Johnson remains the Steelers’ clear-cut favorite for targets, and his draft value is depressed with the assumed ascension of teammate George Pickens, who is being drafted as a WR23. Johnson is being drafted as a WR34, which means I could have used him as a sleeper candidate as well.
2023 Fantasy Sleeper: Jaylen Warren, RB
I don’t believe Warren (ADP: 156) will become the primary ball-carrier in Pittsburgh without an injury to Najee Harris, but he will have a defined role in the offense — likely as the third-down back, which could establish his flex potential on a weekly basis in PPR formats. After his impressive rookie season and a dominant preseason where his explosiveness was on display, Warren is a handcuff to Harris.
2023 Fantasy Bust: Najee Harris, RB
Like I said, barring injury, I don’t believe Harris (ADP: 26) is going anywhere. The former first-rounder has produced back-to-back seasons with over a thousand yards rushing and 10 total TDs. However, I’d rather target Harris as a RB2 after he finished as the overall RB12 in standard formats (RB14 in PPR) last season, especially with the explosive Warren waiting in the wings. Harris has carried an RB1 price tag (overall RB9) in drafts thus far.
2023 Fantasy Rookie to watch: Darnell Washington, TE
Washington (ADP: 274) put on a show at the combine, running the 40 in 4.64 seconds — an impressive time for a person his size — and absolutely abused the blocking sled. He’s essentially an extra offensive lineman who can create mismatches in the ing game. There’s not a lot of those running around.
