Fantasy Football: Who Benefits Most from New Steelers Offense?

Fantasy football is back, and as kickoff for the 2024 season nears, it’s clear that the game has evolved in remarkable ways. Long gone are the days when the Pittsburgh Steelers offense was synonymous with fantasy dominance, led by the electric duo of wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell.

But it might not be as bleak as it’s been the last few years, either. With new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith hoping to breathe some life into the Pittsburgh attack,  a new generation of Steelers is ready to make their fantasy football mark.

Let’s dive into what the Steelers have to offer this year and how some 2024 Steelers could impact your fantasy roster.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2024 FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEW

QB Russell Wilson | ADP: 189.5

Russell Wilson is heading into his first season in Pittsburgh as the likely starter ahead of Justin Fields, barring any injury — or the continuation of his current one. The last time Arthur Smith was an offensive coordinator was in 2020 with the Titans, and Ryan Tannehill was 7th in fantasy with 344.4 points. Wilson has thrived in an offense that allows him to extend plays and make deep throws. With Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren providing a strong rushing attack, Wilson could very well benefit from play-action opportunities. This dynamic offense, combined with his experience and improvisation skills, could lead to above-average fantasy production in 2024.

Best Fantasy Season: 359.8, 2020 (Seahawks)
Worst Fantasy Season: 225.8, 2022 (Broncos)
Steelers Now 2024 Projection: 294.6

QB Justin Fields | ADP: 209

Justin Fields has a tremendously high fantasy ceiling in this offense if he ever sees the field this year, but with him most likely sitting behind Wilson, it is difficult to imagine much fantasy projection out of him. If Fields does start a game in 2024, he will be an instant lineup option due to his playmaking ability.

Best Fantasy Season: 296.0, 2022 (Bears)
Worst Fantasy Season: 126.8, 2021 (Bears)
Steelers Now 2024 Projection: 54.6

RB Najee Harris | ADP: 70.0

In PPR leagues, Najee Harris’ value is a lot less compared to a non-PPR league because he is not heavily utilized in the passing game compared to other running backs who consistently rack up receptions. Harris has continued to lose work to Jaylen Warren since Warren entered the league as a UDFA in 2022, with his fantasy numbers, touches, and play count regressing since. The OC switch and improved offensive line, along with his durability could pay dividends for Harris in ‘24 ,but making him a priority on draft day is something subpar. The one thing Harris should count on is goal-line targets, so in scoring-only formats, he’s a winner. His current FanDuel Sportsbook line is over/under 5.5 touchdowns, but he’s bested that mark in each of his three seasons.

Best Fantasy Season: 300.7, 2021 (Steelers)
Worst Fantasy Season: 195.5, 2023 (Steelers)
Steelers Now 2024 Projection: 182.6

RB Jaylen Warren | ADP: 87.5

Jaylen Warren has cemented himself as one of more elusive and explosive running backs in the league. This guy continues to get better and better. Warren could end up as the Steelers top fantasy player in 2024. Like Justin Fields’ situation, there aren’t many better options than Warren to grab in drafts that have his type of upside if anything were to happen to Harris.

Best Fantasy Season: 196.4, 2023 (Steelers)
Worst Fantasy Season: 93.3, 2022 (Steelers)
Steelers Now 2024 Projection: 202.4

WR George Pickens | ADP: 55.0

Since it doesn’t look like the Steelers are going to be adding someone like Brandon Aiyuk any time soon, George Pickens should carry the weight of targets for the Steelers in 2024. From his rookie season to sophomore season, Pickens’ production and usage increased. Now, with Dionate Johnson in Carolina and the second wide receiver spot in question, Pickens should take an even bigger leap this fall. He is the safest fantasy option if you are one of those who need to have a Steeler on their squad.

Best Fantasy Season: 208.8, 2023 (Steelers)
Worst Fantasy Season: 166.5, 2022 (Steelers)
Steelers Now 2024 Projection: 222.2

TE Pat Freiermuth | ADP: 123.0

Pat Freiermuth was in the tier under an elite fantasy tight end in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. In 2023, he battled through inconsistent QB play and a hamstring that kept him on the sideline for multiple weeks. With the Steelers’ wide receiver room being a weak link of the offense, Freiermuth should rack up a ton of targets this season. Freiermuth excels at navigating the middle of the field, has reliable hands, and is tough to bring down after the catch. His skills should earn him strong support from coaches, including new play caller Arthur Smith, who has a pedigree for craving these abilities.

Best Fantasy Season: 151.7, 2021 (Steelers)
Worst Fantasy Season: 76.8, 2023 (Steelers)
Steelers Now 2024 Projection: 174.3

*Note all projections are PPR based.