2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Preview
2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Preview Mike Tomlin has famously never had a losing season in his coaching career. Tomlin excels at getting the most out of his roster. For the 2025 Steelers to keep that impressive streak going, Tomlin will once again have to coach up a roster that enters the season with a modest 8.5-win projection in Vegas. Last season, Pittsburgh ranked 23rd in total offense, dipping to 27th in passing with just 192 yards per game. Russell Wilson had one game with more than 280 yards and four with fewer than 200. Change was needed, and Wilson was allowed to walk. By missing out on the free agents and bypassing the position early in the draft, the Steelers are going all in with Aaron Rodgers. Even at 41, Rodgers seems like an upgrade, but his touchdowns, completion rate, yards per attempt, and ADOT have all been trending down for four years. Telltale signs of a declining asset. Additionally, the pretentious attitude and off-field behavior are potential trouble in a locker room filled with big personalities. Other options under center include Mason Rudolph and 6th-round Ohio State rookie Will Howard. Both would be downgrades over Rodgers and would further complicate an offense that ranked 23rd in passing last year. Najee Harris signed with the Chargers. resulting in the Steelers adding Iowa State RB Kaleb Johnson in Round 3. Johnson (6-1, 224) has power, elite ball security, and ranked 2nd in the nation in breakaway yards. Johnson projects as a terrific power back, allowing Pittsburgh’s tandem with Jaylen Warren to continue. Warren is a better receiver and gets enough touches to warrant RB3/4 consideration. With questions at quarterback, relying on the Steelers’ pass-catchers has risk. The team traded for DK Metcalf, who wanted out of Seattle. Metcalf is a legit alpha No. 1 receiver, but his presence will take away targets from George Pickens. Pickens has already raised concerns about his target share. Both wideouts are talented, with plenty of fantasy appeal. But it’s a potentially volatile situation that fantasy managers must consider before using early draft capital. Pat Freiermuth has his best season, averaging 10. 1 fantasy points per contest. He ranked 6th with 54.9 expected points added and 7th with 2.16 fantasy points per target. However, the looming QB change makes repeating those numbers unlikely. Freiermuth projects to be more of a high-end TE2 than a top 10 option. Fantasy Grade: D QB Rodgers, Aaron, PIT [QB1] The Jets elected to move on from Rodgers, who is expected to sign with the Steelers this summer. At this point in his career, Rodgers doesn’t want to participate in offseason activities, so the Steelers patiently wait. It’s hard to root for Rodgers off the field, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to rely on him for fantasy. Now 42, Rodgers’ QB Rating, ADOT, and adjusted completion rate have all been in decline for the past four years. The Steelers also don’t have much pass-catching depth. At best, Rodgers is a meh QB2 at this point. ADVICE: The QB-needy Jets didn’t even want Rodgers. Fantasy managers shouldn’t either. QB Rudolph, Mason, PIT [QB2] As expected, Pittsburgh signed Aaron Rodgers. That would put Rudolph in line to be the backup. At this stage, he’s more of a bridge quarterback, but Rudolph tossed nine touchdowns in six starts for Tennessee last year. He only has modest Superflex value if Father Time catches up to Rodgers. ADVICE: Uninspiring veteran with minimal Superflex value. RB Johnson, Kaleb, PIT [RB1] In 2024, the Pittsburgh running backs averaged 4.0 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns, despite ranking fifth in attempts (428). Kaleb Johnson, a 6-1, 225-pound power runner who rebounded from a 2023 injury to record 240 carries for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, plus 22 catches for 188 yards and two scores. His 4.57 40-yard dash caps his breakaway speed, but his vision and patience excel in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Johnson looks like an upgrade over Najee Harris and should see a similar role, splitting reps with Jaylen Warren. ADVICE: In a good spot to deliver 1,000-plus yards, making him an upside RB3. RB Warren, Jaylen, PIT [RB2] The fantasy community was ready to see Jaylen Warren as Pittsburgh’s primary running back after Najee Harris signed with the Chargers. However, the Steelers selected Kaleb Johnson in the 3rd round. Johnson is an intriguing three-down back and will likely take over Harris’s touches. That keeps Warren in his change-of-pace role. It’s still a quality role- Warren ranked 9th with 4.17 yards created per touch and 6th with 2.50 yards per route run. He’s a good receiver and quality change-of-pace option, but Warren’s lack of touchdown prowess (six scores in three seasons) caps his upside. ADVICE: Should maintain his usual role behind Kaleb Johnson, making Warren a PPR flex option. WR Metcalf, DK, PIT [WR1] After six seasons in Seattle, DK Metcalf was traded to Pittsburgh, where he steps in as the Steelers’ new top wideout. A model of durability—having missed only three games in his career—Metcalf has consistently produced but hasn’t fully met elite fantasy expectations. Since entering the league, he leads all receivers with 96 end-zone targets, yet has just one top-20 fantasy finish (WR10 in 2020). He wrapped up 2024 as the WR32 overall, logging 992 yards and a career-low five touchdowns in 15 games. He was a top-5 WR in targets and air yards before a Week 7 knee injury. Now, in Arthur Smith’s run-first scheme, his fantasy value will depend on red-zone volume and explosive plays. ADVICE: Boom-or-bust WR2 with upside if Steelers’ offense takes a step forward. WR Austin III, Calvin, PIT [WR2] ADVICE: The trade of George Pickens could free up more targets for Austin, who will compete with Robert Woods for WR2/3 duties in Pittsburgh. Austin has 99th-percentile speed but struggles versus man. He could develop into a big-play option for Aaron Rodgers. WR Woods, Robert, PIT [WR3] Should see plenty of snaps but has no
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 9
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 9 We enter the second half of the 2024 season with an AFC battle that has lost luster. The Houston Texans are 6-2 but are being hit hard by the injury bug. Meanwhile, the 2-6
We enter the second half of the 2024 season with an AFC battle that has lost luster. The Houston Texans are 6-2 but are being hit hard by the injury bug. Meanwhile, the 2-6 Jets are falling apart and against the wall. The FullTime Fantasy Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 9 breaks down everything fantasy football fans need to know about this week’s game.
Although the Texans are among the AFC favorites, they enter this contest severely depleted. Down Nico Collins and now Stefon Diggs, Bobby Slowik, and Houston’s offense will have little time to reinvent themselves against a strong Jets defense.
Speaking of the Jets, firing Robert Saleh didn’t fix New York’s issues. The Jets have lost five straight games to fall into last place in the weak AFC East. There is significant pressure on Aaron Rodgers and company to salvage what increasingly looks like a lost season.
The over/under opened at 45 but has fallen three points. Meanwhile, the Jets are oddly favored by 1.5 points.
Matchup
| TEAM | OFFENSE | PASS | RUSH | YDS/PLAY | POINTS |
| Houston Texans | 9 | 7 | 15 | 16 | 11 |
| New York Jets | 18 | 10 | 30 | 23 | 23 |
Despite the injuries, the Texans are still a top-10 overall offense. QB C.J. Stroud hasn’t been as effective as he was in Year One but Houston boasts a balanced offense just outside the elite scoring units.
However, injuries and poor offensive line play have been an issue for DeMeco Ryan’s club. Houston’s beleaguered O-line ranks 25th in pass-block win rate and 30th in run-block win rate. The latter is a particular concern against a New York defense that ranks fifth in run-stop win rate.
Meanwhile, seeing the Jets rank 30th in rushing with two young stud running backs is a surprise. However, like the Texans, New York has offensive line issues. QB Aaron Rodgers is constantly under duress and that’s a big problem against a fearsome Houston pass rush with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter.
Houston’s defense ranks second in win rate versus the run and fourth versus the pass. That’s going to be a problem for this Jets’ offense.
Houston Offense
After a stellar rookie campaign, C.J. Stroud sits at 13th in QB rating after eight games. Defenses have started pressuring Stroud,
How will Thursday’s Texans vs. Jets game go?
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Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 3
Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 3 Last week’s AFC East showdown boasted a ton of fantasy potential. Conversely, this New England Patriots vs. New York Jets rivalry game looks less appealing. The FullTime Fantasy Thursday Night Football Preview: Week 3 looks at all the fantasy-relevant players to forecast the game. The Patriots got an upset win on the road in their opener. However, they weren’t able to get much going at home versus Seattle last week. Now traveling on a short week to face a tough Jets’ defense is another obstacle. Meanwhile, New York is coming off of a victory but has mostly struggled to move the ball. The Jets are winning games with an old-school mentality. With the Patriots struggling to pass and produce touchdowns, we are looking at a low-scoring slugfest type of game. New York opened as a touchdown favorite at home. The line dipped by just a half-point. However, the total plummeted down to 39 after opening at 42.5. Matchup TEAM OFFENSE PASS RUSH YDS/PLAY POINTS New England Patriots 20 29 5 25 20 New York Jets 27 22 26 20 15 The raw data backs up that low total. Other than the Patriots doing an excellent job rushing the ball, neither of these squads stand out on offense. Offensive line play is a reason why. New England’s front five has the fourth-lowest pass-blocking grade per PFF. And despite the success running the ball, the Patriots only rank 26th in run-blocking. Conversely, the Jets rank 10th in run-blocking and 24th in pass protection. Only the Ravens have allowed fewer rushing yards than the Patriots. Points will be at a premium in this one. New England Offense Through two games, Jacoby Brissett ranks 29th in fantasy points. He has been held under 150 passing yards in both games. Additionally, Brissett doesn’t add much value with his legs. Facing a Jets defense that ranks ninth in limiting fantasy points to quarterbacks is a daunting task. Brissett is +850 to rush for a touchdown. Also, his passing/rushing yards total of 181.5 hampers the entire New England passing attack. This is not an offense to target. However, the ground game looks solid. Rhamondre Stevenson ranks eighth in fantasy points. Stevenson is top-5 in carries and rushing yards and ranks sixth with a 75.6% snap share. Facing a Jets’ defense that ranks 24th against the run puts Stevenson in a solid position to approach RB1 numbers. Don’t overreact to Antonio Gibson’s Week 2 performance. Gibson played just 16 snaps. He may have earned more playing time moving forward. However, until he gets more consistent snaps, Gibson is little more than a fledgling flex option in deep leagues. New England doesn’t throw enough to their receivers to warrant redraft attention. No Patriots’ wideout is projected to top 22 yards. Ja’Lynn Polk leads the group in fantasy points. But Polk’s 10.8 fantasy points ranks 69th at the position. K.J. Osborn leads the receiving corps in snap share (68.4%) and has a solid 17% snap share. However, Osborn has only accumulated four grabs for 28 yards in two games. Demario Douglas will man the slot but has only caught two balls for 12 yards. The only Patriot pass-catcher worth targeting is TE Hunter Henry. Henry is coming off a robust 8/109/0 line on 12 targets vs. Seattle. However, this week’s matchup is tougher. The Jets held George Kittle to 40 yards and will undoubtedly make stopping Henry a priority. Henry’s receiving line total of 31.5 for this game is concerning. New York Offense Aaron Rodgers enters this game ranked 21st in fantasy points. He is relying on quick/short throws, resulting in a career-low 6.8 ADOT. Meanwhile, the Patriots have only allowed one touchdown pass. However, that came last week when Geno Smith looked fine throwing for 327 yards. Rodgers no longer runs and his passing over/under for this contest is 214 yards. Only the Texans and Ravens have allowed fewer rushing yards to running backs than New England. Still, Breece Hall is tied for the position lead with 14 targets and ranks fourth in fantasy points. The last time he faced this defense, Hall turned 39 touches into 190 yards and a score. Braelon Allen made the most of his 20 snaps last week. However, he’ll find the going tougher against a Patriots’ defense that ranks 10th against running backs. Allen should be viewed as a high-risk DFS option in single-game slates. WR Garrett Wilson has disappointed. The volume has not been there and Wilson ranks just 34th in fantasy points. However, the Patriots just got worked over by Seattle. They’ve surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to wideouts. Wilson will see plenty of Christian Gonzales in coverage, but his +145 TD odds and receiving line of 5.5/66.5 look good. Mike Williams was up to 37 snaps in Week 2. However, Williams is still recovering from last year’s knee injury. He’s little more than a boom-or-bust DFS flier for now. Williams has a yardage prop of 23.5 yards and is +490 to score. Allen Lazard fell off after his explosive showing in the opener. Lazard’s TD and yardage odds are higher than Williams’s, indicating that he is considered New York’s No. 2. TE Tyler Conklin is playing 93% of snaps but has little production to show for all the playing time. Conklin has garnered just four targets and is averaging fewer fantasy points per game than Andrew Ogletree and MyCole Pruitt. Prediction & Best Bet Easy W taking the Bills last week. Buffalo has dominated the Dolphins. However, this matchup is tougher. In January, the Jets finally ended a 15-game losing streak to the Patriots with a 17-3 victory at Foxborough. The last time New York beat New England at home was in December 2015. As one-sided as this rivalry has been, the Jets have failed to cover in six of their last seven. However, none of those games were with Aaron Rodgers under center. Having a credible signal-caller makes a huge difference. Meanwhile,
2024 New York Jets Fantasy Preview
2024 New York Jets Fantasy Preview New York’s 2023 season was over before it started after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury on the second play. All the hype before last season is now being transferred to 2024 with Rodgers expected to be fully healthy. The Jets have a ton of bonafide studs in the fantasy football landscape. 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall broke out in his second professional season and finished as the RB2 in PPR formats. Hall was electric, finishing with over 1,500 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns. Only Christian McCaffrey scored more fantasy points. Opposing defenses will no longer be able to stack the box to contain the run as they will have to respect Rodgers’s arm. Garrett Wilson also showcased some serious skills in 2023. Despite losing his signal caller, New York’s go-to target finished with 95 receptions and 1,042 yards but only found the end zone three times. Wilson should be a WR1 in all formats with Rodgers back in the fold. The Jets also signed former Los Angeles Chargers wideout, Mike Williams who could be a solid mid-round value. He’s a big guy who can highpoint the football and find the end zone. He often played second fiddle to Keenan Allen in LA so the transition to New York with Rodgers and Wilson could be the ideal fit. “With Aaron Rodgers healthy and a rebuilt offensive line, the Jets should have a phenomenal passing offense. Wilson has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons despite playing with eight different quarterbacks so he should shine with Rodgers.” – Jake Asman, The Jake Asman Show Though Rodgers was drafted as a top-15 quarterback last season, can he be a starting quarterback in fantasy with father time knocking on the door and his physical limitations increasingly apparent in recent years? The four-time MVP enters a scenario with promising talent but the offensive line has to protect him. Rodgers’ pressured passer rating has recently declined: 2020: 89.3 2021: 67.9 2022: 62.6 The Jets ranked fourth highest in sacks allowed and also stood at 23rd in average yards per catch after reception. Will Rodgers have enough time to find his targets in 2024? That’s the big question for the new offensive line. If so, Rodgers can deliver QB1 numbers and lead the Jets to the postseason. However, if the Jets struggle in the trenches, it will limit this team’s fantasy prowess from top to bottom. Quarterbacks QB Rodgers, Aaron, NYJ – Gamble (high risk) Aaron Rodgers is a polarizing figure, both on and off the field. On one hand, he’s one of the game’s all-time great signal callers. Ignoring his brief 2023 run, Rodgers still showcased excellent arm strength, and the ability to diagnose and dismantle the opposing defense. On the other hand, Rodgers, 40, is on a three-year decline in accuracy, yards, touchdowns, and big-time throw rate while tossing the second-most interceptions of his career in 2022. His rushing production has also plummeted each year since 2018. However, the Jets have some intriguing young skill position talent marred by a substandard offensive line. It paints the picture of Rodgers being a high-risk/reward fantasy option in his Jets redux. ADVICE: Risk/Reward QB2 Running Backs RB Hall, Breece, NYJ – Stud (low risk) Breece Hall had a miraculous recovery from a torn ACL that ended his rookie season. Hall returned to play all 17 games, led all running backs in targets (95), and topped double-digit fantasy points in eight of his final 13 starts. This is doubly impressive when you consider just how impotent the Jets passing attack was without Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers back, two new starting tackles, and a vastly improved supporting cast, Hall will find much more success on the ground. He’s an elite all-around talent who should be nabbed in the first round of every fantasy draft this summer. ADVICE: Elite three-down back with league-winning potential RB Allen, Braelon, NYJ– Fantasy Handcuff ADVICE: A sizable power back, Allen is only 20 years old. Allen will compete for the No. 2 job behind Breece Hall and could factor in as a short-yardage option with underrated pass-catching skills. A solid late-round handcuff target. Wide Receivers WR Wilson, Garrett, NYJ – Stud (low risk) A popular breakout candidate last season, Garrett Wilson’s production was impeded after the season-ending injury to QB Aaron Rodgers. Yet, Wison still ranked fourth in the league with 168 targets and a robust 29.9% target share. With Rodgers back, Wilson will see a boost in yards per route and downfield participation. Additionally, an improved line and supporting cast will help open things up for Wilson. Rodgers has a long history of prioritizing his top wideout early and often. Wilson is an elite talent and it’s only a matter of time before he busts out in a huge way. ADVICE: Avoid recency bias. Wilson is a prime year three breakout candidate WR Williams, Mike, NYJ – Quality Backup Mike Williams was off to a fast start last season, posting WR15 numbers before tearing his ACL in Week 3. Williams is recovering well from surgery and is expected to be ready for the season opener. He signed a one-year deal with the Jets and will add a downfield element that complements Garrett Wilson well. From 2021-2023, Williams was a top-20 wideout in fantasy points per game, which bodes well for his potential in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense. However, Williams is 30 and coming off a major knee injury that could impact his speed. He’s a risk/reward flex option with some upside. ADVICE: Williams is a risk/reward flex option coming off of a major injury WR Corley, Malachi, NYJ – Deep-league Only ADVICE: A versatile and physical wideout who drew pre-draft comparisons to Deebo Samuel, Corley landed in a good spot with the Jets. He’s got a solid chance of opening the season as the slot receiver in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense. That makes Corley a solid late-round flier. Tight Ends TE Conklin, Tyler, NYJ – Sleeper (undervalued) Conklin’s 87 targets
2023 New York Jets Outlook
2023 New York Jets Outlook The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player
2023 New York Jets Outlook
The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs.
Up next in our extensive NFL and fantasy football preview series is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 New York Jets Outlook.
— PROJECTIONS —
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT OUT OF THE JETS IN 2023?
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2019 Fantasy Football: Green Bay Packers Expanded Team Outlook
In this Green Bay Packers Expanded Team Outlook, Shawn Childs provides meticulous & in-depth Fantasy Football breakdowns of the entire franchise.
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2019 Fantasy Football: Green Bay Packers Team Outlook
In this Green Bay Packers Team outlook, take a free peek at our comprehensive coverage from the Fantasy Football guru Shawn Childs.
Green Bay Packers Training Camp Questions
These important Green Bay Packers Training Camp Questions will help focus our attention on what’s needed from them this Fantasy Football season!
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Dr. Roto Podcast – Tuesday, July 31
Dr. Roto previews the 2018 Green Bay Packers with Aaron Rodgers healthy and Jordy Nelson no longer with the team! Major Fantasy implications…
ALERT: Randall Cobb Will Bounce Back in 2018!
Senior Fantasy Football Expert Adam Ronis explains why Randall Cobb has an amazing opportunity to bounce back in 2018 due to the return of Aaron Rodgers and the departure of Jordy Nelson. Don’t sleep on Cobb after two poor seasons in a row.