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I must admit, when I first started playing fantasy football in the mid 90’s, my strategy was simple. Take the best available player from the Pittsburgh Steelers every round and make sure I get the Steelers defense early. I donated league fees for quite a few years before my strategy evolved. Luckily, the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown turned that into a viable strategy the middle of the last decade. Thanks to the “Killer B’s,” my Iron City Brewery teams managed to win a couple of titles.
This current off-season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been busy during NFL free agency. The offensive signings have been highlighted by Mitch Trubisky, James Daniels, and Mason Cole. They also re-signed Chukwuma Okarafor. Kevin Colbert’s final off-season with the Black and Gold has been eventful, and he seems determined to make sure the cupboard is not bare. More of these signings potentially will include a wide receiver before they are done. Maybe JuJu Smith-Schuster? Or perhaps they draft a receiver at pick No. 20 like Chris Olave? Or sign a jack of all trades in Cordarelle Patterson? It has been exciting, and it is sure to be entertaining over the next few weeks leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. Let’s look at the potential fantasy football impact of these moves so far.
Offensive line is not what you think of first in fantasy football, but the Cole and Daniels signings are bringing young above average players to the interior of the Steelers’ line. Re-signing Chukwuma Okarfor gives the Steelers a projected starting line of:
With Kendrick Green backing up at center and guard, this young line has the potential to become dominant if Pat Meyer can mold them into a cohesive unit. This more than anything could lead to our next player becoming the top choice in fantasy drafts across the USA.
Najee Harris rushed for 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. He also snagged 74 receptions out of the backfield for 467 more yards and 3 touchdowns. Those numbers were even more impressive when you consider that Harris seemingly had an endless parade of 2-yard runs searching for some running room behind an ineffective 2021 offensive line. If the revamped offensive line can allow Harris to make his first move at or just beyond the line of scrimmage, the sky is the limit. He got 307 carries in 2021 with Roethlisberger at the helm. Mitch Trubisky is sure to bring the RPO to the forefront of the Steelers’ attack in 2022, and while Harris may not get 74 receptions, 350 carries seems plausible and 1,500 rushing yards is a real possibility. Fantasy Outlook: Top 3 Available RB1
In his last season as a starter for the Chicago Bears, Trubisky started 9 games and was 6-3. He had a career high 67% completion rate and he threw for 205 YPG with 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Had he started 14-16 games, he may have thrown for 25 touchdowns and 3,500 yards. He rushed for 195 yards on 33 carries for nearly 6 yards per rush and he picked up 12 first downs scrambling. He is not Lamar Jackson, but a viable threat that if used properly by Matt Canada, could pick up a spy on the defense watching Trubisky which should help him find open targets. Trubisky has his warts, but he is a good play-action passer who should thrive in Matt Canada’s system. If he maintains the progress he was making in Chicago and flashed in his brief opportunities in Buffalo, he could easily find himself with 3,600 yards passing, 20-25 touchdowns and another 350 to 500 yards rushing with 4-6 rushing touchdowns. Fantasy Outlook: 14-18 overall QB2
Diontae Johnson was Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite target in 2021. He was targeted 169 times, caught 107 balls for 1,161 yards and 8 touchdowns. Roethlisberger didn’t have the arm strength he once did, but Johnson’s separation ability clearly benefited him and gave Ben a reliable target. He will be the best receiver Mitch Trubisky has ever played with. His run after catch and intermediate route running should greatly benefit the new signal caller. It will take time to develop chemistry and it is unlikely that the Steelers will throw at the clip they did last year, so he may not have the catches and targets, but he could exceed last year’s yardage. 85 catches, 1,250 yards and 8 touchdowns would be realistic if Trubisky thrives; but if he struggles early, he could take steps back across the board. Fantasy Outlook: 18-25 overall WR2
Chase Claypool hauled in 59 catches for 860 yards and only 2 touchdowns in 2021. He was a touchdown machine in his rookie year, but fell off in a sophomore slump that was partially his own doing with mental letdowns. He is a gifted natural athlete and is primed to make the third-year receiver leap in 2022. His ability to become a consistent threat will go a long way in determining the Steelers’ offensive level of production. 70 catches for 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns would be evidence he has arrived. His performance will be dependent on a solid season from the Steelers’ quarterback, and he could remain stuck at 50 catches and 800 yards, which would mean the offense underperformed. Fantasy Outlook: 35-42 overall WR3/Flex
Muuuth! The rookie managed 60 catches for 497 yards, 7 touchdowns and nearly 60% of his catches were good for first downs. He is a developing weapon that should help provide a reliable target for Trubisky in the middle, and while he is probably not ready to produce like Travis Kelce, he could easily become a top 6 tight end in 2022. Freiermuth only started 9 games last year. Assuming he is healthy 17 starts should translate to 75 catches 700 plus yards and a boatload of red zone opportunities. Fantasy Outlook 6-8 overall TE1
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Optimistic, myopic or plain loco? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter or Instagram @thebubbasq!
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
This current off-season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been busy during NFL free agency. The offensive signings have been highlighted by Mitch Trubisky, James Daniels, and Mason Cole. They also re-signed Chukwuma Okarafor. Kevin Colbert’s final off-season with the Black and Gold has been eventful, and he seems determined to make sure the cupboard is not bare. More of these signings potentially will include a wide receiver before they are done. Maybe JuJu Smith-Schuster? Or perhaps they draft a receiver at pick No. 20 like Chris Olave? Or sign a jack of all trades in Cordarelle Patterson? It has been exciting, and it is sure to be entertaining over the next few weeks leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. Let’s look at the potential fantasy football impact of these moves so far.
Offensive Line
Offensive line is not what you think of first in fantasy football, but the Cole and Daniels signings are bringing young above average players to the interior of the Steelers’ line. Re-signing Chukwuma Okarfor gives the Steelers a projected starting line of:
| LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
| Dan Moore | Kevin Dotson | Mason Cole | James Daniels | Chukwuma Okarofor |
| 2nd Season | 3rd Season | 5th Season | 5th Season | 5th Season |
| Age 24 | Age 26 | Age 26 | Age 25 | Age 25 |
With Kendrick Green backing up at center and guard, this young line has the potential to become dominant if Pat Meyer can mold them into a cohesive unit. This more than anything could lead to our next player becoming the top choice in fantasy drafts across the USA.
Najee Harris
Najee Harris rushed for 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. He also snagged 74 receptions out of the backfield for 467 more yards and 3 touchdowns. Those numbers were even more impressive when you consider that Harris seemingly had an endless parade of 2-yard runs searching for some running room behind an ineffective 2021 offensive line. If the revamped offensive line can allow Harris to make his first move at or just beyond the line of scrimmage, the sky is the limit. He got 307 carries in 2021 with Roethlisberger at the helm. Mitch Trubisky is sure to bring the RPO to the forefront of the Steelers’ attack in 2022, and while Harris may not get 74 receptions, 350 carries seems plausible and 1,500 rushing yards is a real possibility. Fantasy Outlook: Top 3 Available RB1
Mitch Trubisky
In his last season as a starter for the Chicago Bears, Trubisky started 9 games and was 6-3. He had a career high 67% completion rate and he threw for 205 YPG with 16 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Had he started 14-16 games, he may have thrown for 25 touchdowns and 3,500 yards. He rushed for 195 yards on 33 carries for nearly 6 yards per rush and he picked up 12 first downs scrambling. He is not Lamar Jackson, but a viable threat that if used properly by Matt Canada, could pick up a spy on the defense watching Trubisky which should help him find open targets. Trubisky has his warts, but he is a good play-action passer who should thrive in Matt Canada’s system. If he maintains the progress he was making in Chicago and flashed in his brief opportunities in Buffalo, he could easily find himself with 3,600 yards passing, 20-25 touchdowns and another 350 to 500 yards rushing with 4-6 rushing touchdowns. Fantasy Outlook: 14-18 overall QB2
Diontae Johnson
Diontae Johnson was Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite target in 2021. He was targeted 169 times, caught 107 balls for 1,161 yards and 8 touchdowns. Roethlisberger didn’t have the arm strength he once did, but Johnson’s separation ability clearly benefited him and gave Ben a reliable target. He will be the best receiver Mitch Trubisky has ever played with. His run after catch and intermediate route running should greatly benefit the new signal caller. It will take time to develop chemistry and it is unlikely that the Steelers will throw at the clip they did last year, so he may not have the catches and targets, but he could exceed last year’s yardage. 85 catches, 1,250 yards and 8 touchdowns would be realistic if Trubisky thrives; but if he struggles early, he could take steps back across the board. Fantasy Outlook: 18-25 overall WR2
Chase Claypool
Chase Claypool hauled in 59 catches for 860 yards and only 2 touchdowns in 2021. He was a touchdown machine in his rookie year, but fell off in a sophomore slump that was partially his own doing with mental letdowns. He is a gifted natural athlete and is primed to make the third-year receiver leap in 2022. His ability to become a consistent threat will go a long way in determining the Steelers’ offensive level of production. 70 catches for 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns would be evidence he has arrived. His performance will be dependent on a solid season from the Steelers’ quarterback, and he could remain stuck at 50 catches and 800 yards, which would mean the offense underperformed. Fantasy Outlook: 35-42 overall WR3/Flex
Pat Freiermuth
Muuuth! The rookie managed 60 catches for 497 yards, 7 touchdowns and nearly 60% of his catches were good for first downs. He is a developing weapon that should help provide a reliable target for Trubisky in the middle, and while he is probably not ready to produce like Travis Kelce, he could easily become a top 6 tight end in 2022. Freiermuth only started 9 games last year. Assuming he is healthy 17 starts should translate to 75 catches 700 plus yards and a boatload of red zone opportunities. Fantasy Outlook 6-8 overall TE1
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Optimistic, myopic or plain loco? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter or Instagram @thebubbasq!
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
