Kickoff is less than two weeks away, and NFL fans everywhere are counting down the seconds. After months of quiet Sundays, football is back—and with it comes the thrilling chaos of fantasy football season. For Pittsburgh Steelers fans, it's especially exciting now that there are more potential reasons to be optimistic about the offense
Whether you're a veteran manager or a rookie still deciding on your team name, one thing's for sure: it’s time to fine-tune your draft boards.
As always, selecting the right players is key to fantasy success. And while the Steelers still aren't loaded with top-tier fantasy names like some other franchises, they’ve got more than a few under-the-radar gems that could pay off big.
Here are a few Steelers I believe are worth considering in your upcoming drafts.
These Pittsburgh Steelers will stand out during the 2025 fantasy football season
RB Jaylen Warren : A ground game gem
Running the football has always been a staple of Pittsburgh football, and under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, I expect that tradition to remain front and center—especially with 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers under center.
While rookie Kaleb Johnson has generated well-deserved buzz with his explosive preseason, Jaylen Warren is still the back I trust to get the majority of early-season work.
Warren is eager to prove himself, and the Steelers clearly trust him to carry the load. Last season, while sharing the backfield with a 1,000-yard rusher in Najee Harris, Warren still managed 120 carries and 511 yards. That kind of production in a timeshare speaks volumes.
With Johnson still developing, Warren has “late-round” steal written all over him. He’s especially valuable for fantasy managers looking to shore up depth at running back without spending premium draft capital.
TE Pat Freiermuth: An underrated security blanket
The Steelers didn’t trade for Aaron Rodgers just to have him hand the ball off 30 times a game. Even at his age, Rodgers still has the arm talent and football IQ to make defenses pay—and he’s going to need a reliable safety valve to do so.
Enter Pat Freiermuth.
The fifth-year tight end has already shown signs of being a trustworthy target, and with defenses likely keying in on DK Metcalf out wide, Freiermuth will benefit from plenty of favorable matchups.
His ability to find soft spots in coverage, combined with Rodgers' preference for targeting tight ends in the red zone, could spell a breakout year.
With 78 targets last year, he’s already proven to be a solid PPR option, and those numbers could climb even higher in 2025. If you miss out on the top-tier tight ends, Freiermuth is a great mid-to-late round value with legitimate upside.
Steelers Defense: Don’t sleep on a reliable group
"Defense wins championships" isn't just a cliché in Pittsburgh—it’s a way of life. Mike Tomlin has built his legacy on physical, high-effort defensive play, and this year’s squad might be one of the best in recent memory.
The additions of Pro Bowl corners Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay give the Steelers a revamped secondary to pair with their already-elite pass rush. T.J. Watt, one of the league’s premier defensive playmakers, remains a cornerstone, and Alex Highsmith looks more motivated than ever to wreak havoc off the edge.
Yes, a struggling offense can sometimes hurt a fantasy defense by leaving them on the field too long. But this year’s Steelers are built to handle that. With plenty of playmakers at all three levels, this defense is going to rack up sacks, takeaways, and possibly even a few touchdowns.
Let’s be honest, however: the Steelers aren’t packed with fantasy superstars.
You won’t find a top-three pick on this roster. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth your attention. If you’re looking for value picks that can offer consistent production, Pittsburgh has a few key players who could help you win your league.
Jaylen Warren is set to be a volume-driven RB2 or FLEX option who can outperform his draft spot. Pat Freiermuth is a sneaky top-10 tight end candidate, especially in PPR formats. And the Steelers defense is as aggressive and opportunistic as they come—perfect for fantasy scoring.
So as you prep for your fantasy draft, don’t be swayed only by the flashy names. Sometimes, the smartest picks are the ones made with a little grit and a lot of football sense—something Steelers fans know all too well.