The Pittsburgh Steelers have a plethora of weapons on their offense heading into 2021.
If you were to have a lot of stock in the Steelers‘ players for your fantasy season in 2020 it likely didn’t turn out too well. It isn’t because Pittsburgh’s group of weapons was bad, rather the Steelers were very good at spreading the target share last season.
The top 4 receiving targets were within a 58 target span per fantasysp.com. That may seem like a large number but that was the differential between the highest targeted player and the 4th highest targeted player. Things may not be too different this year either. However, there may be some hidden value on this squad.
The #5 ranked spot is a 3-way tie between 2 vets and a rookie.
As of now, I wouldn’t be comfortable starting Eric Ebron or Pat Freiermuth in any fantasy format. However, Matt Canada is notorious for using running backs and tight ends to create mismatches against linebackers and I expect that to translate in 2021. I expect Ebron to be used more than Freiermuth in most passing sets excluding the Redzone. Ebron’s value will be dependent on catching the ball consistently and even so, this would make him a borderline TE1 in deep PPR leagues.
Pat Freiermuth is going to be on Ebron’s heels the entire season and if there is an injury to Ebron I would pick up Freiermuth immediately. They will be a 1-2 punch if they both stay healthy and that will hurt both of their fantasy values. Freiermuth is going to be a touchdown-dependent option that likely won’t be of much value in PPR leagues with a lower overall target share than Ebron. With that being said he looks like the Steeler’s answer for their Redzone woes and I expect him to have 7+ touchdowns this season after his rave reviews and preseason play hauling in 2 touchdowns against the Lions.
The 3rd player is Anthony McFarland Jr. If you are going to have a running back needy squad this season and the Steelers have a favorable matchup against a defense that struggles with pass-catching backs McFarland will be a valuable streaming play. He is a great big-play threat with an elite speed that will be shown in his former college coach’s NFL offense. His target share will be low with rookie phenom Najee Harris’ impending debut, however, in deeper leagues, McFarland Jr. will carry value.