The Steelers won week two in a close matchup, and week three is filled with fantasy players to start or sit against the Texans
It was hard-fought and far from certain, but the Steelers secured a huge win in week two, beating the Broncos en route to a 2-0 start. While it wasn’t always pretty, the offense did just enough to beat the away team while the defense was ferocious in the trenches but struggled in coverage. This problem could rear its ugly head this week against the Texans, who despite starting the season winless boast one of the most potent offenses.
The fantasy predictions I made last week were mostly on point. Courtland Sutton was having a good game until he suffered an injury and Eric Ebron was unproductive in the few targets he had. That said, Melvin Gordan put together a nice game while James Washington didn’t, showing that this list is always a work in progress. This week’s obvious starts go as follows: for the Steelers start Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and the defense while the only obvious start on the Texans is Deshaun Watson and Will Fuller.
Roethlisberger had a worse game than week one, but he moved the ball well and looks like a new man. While the yardage wasn’t there for Smith-Schuster, he gets constant targets and that should lead to big plays. As for the defense, despite having their struggles, are on pace for a record number of sacks and force a lot of turnovers. While Watson has struggled this year, he is far too talented to let sit on the bench. Fuller struggled in week two, but that was due to a hamstring injury and is a smart start if he is healthy.
This isn’t where the list ends though, as there are quite a few quality options for fantasy from the matchup this week. All of this said, here is the fantasy start ‘em and sit ‘em for the Steelers in week three.
The other Steelers WRs
Verdict: Sit ’em
While Washington found the end zone in week one and Chase Claypool found it in week two, there are too many question marks between the two to comfortably start either this week. The issue is, neither are usually on the field at the same time, making it hard to comfortably start either. Both will naturally see targets, but those targets will be capped due to the other seeing the field.
What it will likely come down to each week is who can get in the end zone. Given Claypool’s size, this naturally favors him, but he is still far too risky of a play in week three. In a couple of weeks when he more than likely takes Washington’s spot and regulates him to spot duties, Claypool could be a great start given his mismatch potential. It’s just a little too early to count him in as a starter.
On top of this, the Broncos have a decent secondary, and while their hands will be full of the Steelers’ other options, starting either Washington or Claypool is a big risk. Sure, one of them could break off a long score for the Steelers, but that is far from guaranteed. Washington is a fading fantasy option while Claypool is a growing one, but neither of them makes sense as a start this week.
Brandin Cooks
Verdict: Start ’em
On the flip side, Texans receiver Brandin Cooks finds himself as a starting candidate this week. This isn’t due to his innate ability more so where the Steelers have struggled to cover early in the season. The defense has been susceptible deep, and that is Cooks’s bread and butter. The Steelers have given up some huge plays in both weeks to receivers, and Cooks could be the next one to exploit this.
Now, Cooks is far from an elite receiver. He has great speed which has attributed to his couple of 1000 yard seasons, but he has struggled with consistency while in the league. His way to a big fantasy score is by connecting on a few big plays. While he may still struggle to score, he could have enough receptions and yards to make up for it.
While Cooks may not be an elite player, he has the chance to exploit a Steelers defense that has struggled to stop the ball deep. If Fuller can’t suit up, Cooks suddenly becomes the top option and should be a must-start. No matter what, plan to keep Cooks in your lineup due to his potential as a deep threat.
Eric Ebron
Verdict: Sit ’em
I was close to keeping Ebron off this list entirely as his play is becoming a problem. He isn’t producing in the passing game and his blocking has been pathetic. If he continues to be a liability on the field, he could lose the little role he has with the Steelers. He needs a big game this week to justify keeping him as a backup let alone a starting option.
Ebron was hyped as a red zone threat, yet he has barely been seen when the Steelers make it into the 20. While he didn’t have the benefit of having a preseason with Roethlisberger, his early-season struggles have been a disappointment. Perhaps he can turn it around this week, but considering the Texans kept Mark Andrews in check, the likelihood that Ebron finally breaks out is unlikely.
Unfortunately, the Ebron signing seems like another free agent bust for the Steelers. While he was dripping with potential, his early-season performance has been disappointing. While he isn’t a completely sunken cost, he needs to build a connection with Roethlisberger sooner than later if he wants to remain with the Steelers past this season.
David Johnson
Verdict: Start ’em
The Steelers did a great job of eliminating Saquon Barkley in week one but struggled as a whole to contain Melvin Gordan in week two. While they did hold him to 84 yards, he powered through quite a few tackles and found the end zone via a pass later in the game. While David Johnson may struggle to get the rushing yards, he is one of the best receiving backs in the league which could help him have a solid fantasy game against the Steelers defense.
Through two weeks, Johnson has looked like he has returned to form. He has been the lead rusher and has been an active player in the passing game. There isn’t any reason to expect that to change in week three. Yards won’t be easy to come by, but if he can have a similar day on the ground like Gordan and tack on 4-5 receptions, he will be well worth the start.
On top of this, Johnson is a favorite to score. Given his size, he is the obvious choice as the goal line back while also being a threat to score via the air. While he likely won’t have a top fantasy finish, it isn’t hard to see him have a day where he scores as a decent RB2 in fantasy. He should find his way onto your starting roster in week three.
The Steelers RBs
Verdict: Sit ’em
While I’ll specifically list James Conner here, the Steelers RB room is an absolute mess right now and has no worthy starting options. Yes, Conner and Snell have both ran for 100 yards, but more than half of Conner’s yardage can via one run in week two, and Snell has already fumbled twice this year. While the Steelers will likely roll with Conner, for now, this room seems a lot more uncertain and riskier as a fantasy option.
Assuming Conner maintains his status as the bell cow, his outlook against the Texans can’t be great. He has Snell biting at his heels and his constant injury issues are always a threat to rear their head. As well, the offensive line has struggled as a whole to open up running lanes. All of this combines to make Conner a risky fantasy option in week three.
As for Snell, until he takes over as the lead back and fixes his fumbling issue, he shouldn’t see time as a fantasy starter. This group needs to find an identity and a consistent threat. Until then, each week will be a tough one to validate starting anyone from this backfield. Keep this group on the bench until these questions are answered.
Diontae Johnson
Verdict: Start ’em
Arguably the most frustrating of the Steelers receivers, Diontae Johnson has had one of the most up and down starts to a season. He muffed a punt and fumbled a handoff in both weeks so far, and he has seen a plethora of catchable passes fall to the ground incomplete. Then, usually, about halfway through the game, he hits a hot streak, catching a couple of passes, making a few defenders miss, and ending the game far better than how he started.
While the inconsistency is maddening, there is one number that should make him a must-start this week: 23. That is the number of targets he has had this season, proving that he has become one of the top options for Roethlisberger. While he has only caught 14 of those passes, if he can get his hands cleaned up, he could suddenly be a top fantasy receiver.
While Smith-Schuster is the top option for good reason, Johnson is going to be a hit sooner than later. Yes, he needs to clean his hands up, but once he does, he could be one of the top fantasy receivers in the NFL. His inconsistencies are frustrating, but he is still a developing player. Given his target share, his floor is pretty high. His ceiling is through the roof due to his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands.
While week three is shaping up to be a great game, there are plenty of fantasy options to keep in mind when drafting your fantasy football team. Follow this start ‘em and sit ‘em list to maximize your team’s potential this week.