Ranking Steelers top 5 fantasy options for 2021 NFL season

Diontae Johnson is my 4th ranked fantasy option for the Steelers

My #4th ranked player was a very hard pick. However, I am not sure Diontae Johnson has the same value the rest of the Steelers’ playmakers will this season. While Diontae Johnson paced the team with targets at 160 JuJu Smith-Schuster had only 13 fewer targets, and is a better Redzone target. Furthermore, JuJu had 11 more catches than Johnson(who led the league in drops in 2020).

Johnson’s best value is going to come in PPR leagues where catches and yards matter more, yet with the run game hopefully becoming sustainable his target count will decrease. Combine that with the value Canada’s offense places on tight ends and running backs in the passing game I fail to see Johnson’s target share being close to what it was in 2020. Johnson’s ability after the catch is great, but there hopefully won’t be as many short completions in 2021, and that hurts Johnson’s stock.

My 3rd best fantasy option is JuJu Smith-Schuster

JuJu meanwhile is still the slot receiver. With the running backs and tight ends being more utilized, opposing linebackers should be held in check. I’m not expecting a top 25 WR performance this season however, JuJu is more fantasy-relevant right now than Johnson is in every format. His sure-handedness makes him much more efficient in an offense with an abundance of people to get the ball to. His build along with his playstyle makes him a better Redzone target.

Neither Johnson nor JuJu have a floor higher than a flex or WR3 in deeper PPR leagues however, they both have WR1 ceilings depending on their week-to-week matchups.