Seven teams remain in our preseason rundown. Next up: the Steelers.
Last season, Ben Roethlisberger (currently the #6 QB ADP) had his best year at age 32 by racking up the most passing attempts of his career, ranking fourth in the NFL. He also tied for first in passing yards, and finished fifth in QB fantasy scoring. Can he do it again? It’s hard to bet against a still-in-his-prime QB throwing to one of the best pass-catching RBs (Le’Veon Bell), arguably the league’s best WR (Antonio Brown), one of the league’s most explosive young WRs (Martavis Bryant), and an historically reliable TE (2014’s 11th best TE, Heath Miller). Barring injury, he’s a near lock to post top 10 QB numbers and a decent bet to land in the top 6.
The only reason Bell (#5 RB ADP) isn’t the #1 ranked fantasy RB is because of his three-game suspension. If you draft before the NFL (likely) reduces the suspension by one or two games, it’ll be worth the gamble to draft him in the top 3. Some forget that he went toe to toe against DeMarco Murray as #1 RB fantasy scorer, falling short by only two points thru Week 16. As for his backup, the well-aged DeAngelo Williams (#51 RB ADP), don’t waste a late round pick. He has little chance to post even RB3 numbers during Bell’s absence, making him more of a roster burden than an asset.
Antonio Brown (#1 WR ADP) holds a special place for me. Two preseasons ago, when he was almost universally regarded as a mid-to-low-end WR2. I called him “elite” and predicted top 10 WR production. The rest is history:
https://www.facebook.com/FantasyFootballForWinners/posts/556037037777613
But I won’t be drafting him at his current overall ADP of sixth. A mid-first rounder on a WR, even if he is *The* Antonio Brown? Too steep. 12th-15th pick? Sure. His counterpart, Martavis Bryant (#25 WR ADP), was on pace for the 13th most WR fantasy points last season, but played in only 10 games. He’s the real deal, and should be a top 20 WR this year.
Meanwhile, slot receiver Markus Wheaton (#74 WR ADP) was a fashionable sleeper early last season when he started opposite Brown. As the fourth or fifth receiving option in this offense (behind Brown, Bryant, Bell, and possibly Heath Miller), he’s an every week desperation start in all but the deepest leagues.
Finally, Heath Miller is getting very little love at his current #18 TE ADP. He’ll never be a season-long, near-elite option. But he should have plenty of top 10 TE weeks and is a great get at the end of a draft if you’ve been accumulating wealth at other positions.
Last season, Ben Roethlisberger (currently the #6 QB ADP) had his best year at age 32 by racking up the most passing attempts of his career, ranking fourth in the NFL. He also tied for first in passing yards, and finished fifth in QB fantasy scoring. Can he do it again? It’s hard to bet against a still-in-his-prime QB throwing to one of the best pass-catching RBs (Le’Veon Bell), arguably the league’s best WR (Antonio Brown), one of the league’s most explosive young WRs (Martavis Bryant), and an historically reliable TE (2014’s 11th best TE, Heath Miller). Barring injury, he’s a near lock to post top 10 QB numbers and a decent bet to land in the top 6.
The only reason Bell (#5 RB ADP) isn’t the #1 ranked fantasy RB is because of his three-game suspension. If you draft before the NFL (likely) reduces the suspension by one or two games, it’ll be worth the gamble to draft him in the top 3. Some forget that he went toe to toe against DeMarco Murray as #1 RB fantasy scorer, falling short by only two points thru Week 16. As for his backup, the well-aged DeAngelo Williams (#51 RB ADP), don’t waste a late round pick. He has little chance to post even RB3 numbers during Bell’s absence, making him more of a roster burden than an asset.
Antonio Brown (#1 WR ADP) holds a special place for me. Two preseasons ago, when he was almost universally regarded as a mid-to-low-end WR2. I called him “elite” and predicted top 10 WR production. The rest is history:
https://www.facebook.com/FantasyFootballForWinners/posts/556037037777613
But I won’t be drafting him at his current overall ADP of sixth. A mid-first rounder on a WR, even if he is *The* Antonio Brown? Too steep. 12th-15th pick? Sure. His counterpart, Martavis Bryant (#25 WR ADP), was on pace for the 13th most WR fantasy points last season, but played in only 10 games. He’s the real deal, and should be a top 20 WR this year.
Meanwhile, slot receiver Markus Wheaton (#74 WR ADP) was a fashionable sleeper early last season when he started opposite Brown. As the fourth or fifth receiving option in this offense (behind Brown, Bryant, Bell, and possibly Heath Miller), he’s an every week desperation start in all but the deepest leagues.
Finally, Heath Miller is getting very little love at his current #18 TE ADP. He’ll never be a season-long, near-elite option. But he should have plenty of top 10 TE weeks and is a great get at the end of a draft if you’ve been accumulating wealth at other positions.