NFL training camps are open, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy football preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 32 NFL teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, the sleepers in specific formats, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the Pittsburgh Steelers. As always, average draft position (ADP) is pulled from FantasyPros.com.
AFC North Betting Preview: Steelers Defense Could Cost Them
Must Owns
Le’Veon Bell, RB (ADP: 3): Bell is going to miss the first two games of the season, and that is clearly worrying close to zero percent of fantasy owners. Bell was a total stud in 2014, and he’s valuable across every fantasy platform. He’s elite at the position with the biggest drop-off from the first to the second tier. He can catch the ball as well as any RB not named Matt Forte. He plays three downs, and gets goal-line carries. Go ahead and draft him—just handcuff him with a late pick for the first two weeks.
Antonio Brown, WR (ADP: 6): Brown was the top wide receiver last season over 16 games, and he is deservedly going first at the position this year. A word of caution though: Brown’s 13 touchdowns is going to be tough to repeat. If he drops down to something like eight touchdowns, he may finish behind the likes of Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Odell Beckham Jr. In PPR formats though, Brown remains a clear-cut No. 1 overall pick.
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Ben Roethlisberger, QB (ADP: 42): Big Ben was the big surprise at QB last season, throwing for a career-high 4,952 yards and tying his career-high touchdown mark (32). Some have pointed out that back-to-back six-touchdown games boosted his numbers, but that misses the point.
The Steelers have fully transitioned into a pass-first team, and even though they have a top running back, he excels in the passing game. Roethlisberger is going as the sixth QB off the board, and there are arguments to be made for as high as fourth.
Martavis Bryant, WR (ADP: 73): Bryant’s stock has dropped because of the four-game suspension he was hit with late in training camp, but that is just added value to owners building a receiver-heavy team. If you load up on pass-catchers, stashing Bryant away will be a boon later on; you can trade from your excess once he returns, and boost another position while simply slotting Bryant in. He is a big-play guy and he should deliver with consistency thanks to the volume passing of Roethlisberger.
Sleepers (Best Format)
Markus Wheaton, WR, PPR (ADP: 163) Wheaton is a relatively boring pick, but he should be very useful in PPR leagues for the first four weeks. Wheaton is built like Brown and has an opportunity to get a ton of catches with Bryant out. I would not rely on him for touchdowns, but he can be an early-season WR2 or FLEX in PPR formats if you prefer to gamble on injured/suspended, high-upside talent like Arian Foster or Bryant in your drafts.
Deangelo Williams, RB, Standard (ADP: 133): Williams is a capable backup to Bell, and for the first two weeks of the season he is a starter. He’s not necessarily a must-handcuff; Bell is rarely coming off the field once his ban is over. But if Bell did go down, Williams will have the role to himself, and would be a fine RB2.
Heath Miller, TE, Standard (ADP: 172): Miller is perennially underrated, and if Roethlisberger throws as much as expected, it’ll be hard for Miller not to run into four or five scores. He is the No. 18 TE off the board so he’ll cost you next to nothing if your strategy is to wait on this position.
Deep Finds (Best Format)
Sammie Coates, WR, PPR (ADP: 259): Not overly excited about Wheaton? Try out this rookie, who has been impressive in the preseason and should see the field in three-WR sets with Bryant out. I’m not sweating Darrius Heyward-Bey, and neither should you.
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