Pittsburgh Steelers fantasy football stock report: Preseason week 3
By Tommy Jaggi
Stock down:
Benny Snell Jr., RB
Many fans had high hopes for Benny Snell in his rookie season, but let’s tamper those expectations for now. Snell has really struggled in his first two preseason games – averaging just 2.1 yards per carry so far. If these struggles continue, it will be hard for him to carve a role as a rookie. Confidently draft Samuels ahead of Snell as a James Conner handcuff at this point.
Donte Moncrief, WR
The Steelers didn’t pay Donte Moncrief $9M over the next two years to only play special teams and warm the bench. However, an injury slowed his progress with his new team, and dominant performances by James Washington could have Moncrief see less snaps. He fumbled away his only catch last week. Moncrief could still open as the number two receiver, but Washington is the favorite to win that job now. Be leery of him for your fantasy team.
Eli Rogers/Ryan Switzer, WR
I grouped these two slot receivers together, because it is hard to tell which one will emerge as a favorite option for Ben Roethlisberger. Both are not completely guaranteed to make the team. If they both do, however, it’s possible that neither receiver would be worth owning for fantasy. Check them out in the waiver wire after we see how they are used.
Conclusion:
It will be interesting to see how these players will sort themselves out this year. Outside of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner, and Vance McDonald, there are still a lot of mysteries on the Steelers.
Conner and JuJu should be the first two players drafted in standard leagues, followed by Vance McDonald and Big Ben. James Washington is my biggest sleeper for standard leagues at this point, but Diontae Johnson may be a better option for those of you starting dynasty leagues this year. Err on the side of caution for most everyone else.