Finally, Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season is upon us, which means we finally get some meaningful Pittsburgh Steelers football. Teams will be going through their regular practice routine, depth charts have been released and we will all start waiting anxiously for the Steelers to release their weekly injury reports as we try to prepare our fantasy football teams and DFS (daily fantasy sports) rosters.
Steelers Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson catches a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 | Credit: Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports
Each week I will be going through the Steelers matchups to give predictions for their key fantasy football pieces with recommendations on who to start and who to sit. I will also be giving all of Steeler Nation recommendations for which Steelers players to include on their DFS lineups each week.
First, we will dive into the fantasy football predictions for Steelers players in their Week 1 matchup with a division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as provide start/sit recommendations for each player. All scoring is PPR (point per reception).
Steelers Week 1 Fantasy Football Projections
Mitch Trubisky, QB - Sit
275 passing yards, 1 TD. 25 rushing yards. 17.5 points.
It is hard to say how well the Steelers' passing attack is going too early in the season. A new quarterback, with questionable offensive line play, but a long list of talented skill players. I'd avoid Trubisky for now in year-long fantasy football leagues until we are able to see how this offense meshes.
Najee Harris, RB - Must Start
85 rushing yards, 1 TD. 4 receptions, 25 receiving yards. 21 points.
Be real, if you drafted Harris he is a must-start every week until proven otherwise, regardless of the matchup. I do think he has a solid game in this one, even though it is against a solid opponent.
Diontae Johnson, WR - *Use Caution*
5 receptions, 60 receiving yards. 11 points.
I might avoid Johnson this week if you have better options. In most year-long leagues that isn't likely, however, with Johnson going within the top 50 picks of most drafts. With Johnson being less than 100% I would be worried he gets used as a decoy on occasion and doesn't see the same number of targets you would normally expect. Definitely make sure you monitor Johnson's practice participation throughout the week before just rolling him out there.
Steelers' Chase Claypool | Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Chase Claypool, WR - Start
5 receptions, 75 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD. 18.5 points.
I am bullish on Claypool this week. He will have a serious size/speed mismatch in the slot working against the Bengals nickel cornerback, and former Steeler, Mike Hilton. Hilton is a good nickel corner, but Claypool has 7 inches and close to 50lbs on him. Most people drafted Claypool as a 4th/5th wide receiver, but if you need someone with upside this week, Claypool fits that mold.
George Pickens, WR - Sit
3 receptions, 50 receiving yards. 8 points.
If Claypool doesn't have a big game as I predicted, then I believe it is because Pickens did. Pickens is nothing more than a dart throw for me in Week 1 due to the matchup, but he is always a big play waiting to happen, just a much bigger risk this early in the year.
Pat Freiermuth, TE - Start
6 catches, 50 receiving yards. 11 points.
The Bengals gave up a lot of fantasy points to tight ends last season and their defense is largely unchanged. I would expect Freiermuth to be a frequent security blanket for Trubisky in his first start. He should be a safe start this week with a decent floor but limited upside.
Steelers D/ST - Start
27 points, 1 turnover forced, 3 sacks. 5 points.
The Steelers are going to give up points, the Bengals just have too good of an offense. However, they should be able to get to Joe Burrow a few times even with their improved offensive line, which likely will also lead to a turnover or two. There are definitely safer options available in most leagues, but the Steelers have some upside every week due to their ability to get after the QB.
Chris Boswell - Start
3/3 FGs. 2/2 XPs. 13 points.
The Steelers don't have the best track record of getting the ball into the end zone at an efficient rate in recent seasons. Boswell will have a good amount of opportunities to put up some points.
Steelers Week 1 DFS Outlook
Now, for DFS lineups things can change depending on the dollar amount they are listed for. Just because I may not be projecting a huge week for them above doesn't mean I won't be picking them if the price is right. Each player's salary is based on their DraftKings salary for that week.
Steelers' QB Mitch Trubiksy and OC Matt Canada | Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Must Grabs
Mitch Trubisky - $5000, #33 QB - This is just insulting. He is behind several backups in terms of pricing, including Sam Darnold and Andy Dalton. I'm not saying he is guaranteed a big week, but there is a chance this game turns into a shootout, and even if he doesn't, the value here is just way too good at this low of salary.
Stay Away
Diontae Johnson - $6000, #16 WR - Like I stated above, Johnson is likely going to be operating at less than 100% this game if he suits up. Considering he is the same price as DJ Moore and only $100 less than Tee Higgins, the dollar value for the risk is just too high.
Desperation Big Plays
George Pickens - $4100, #67 WR - Pickens has a lot of big play ability, so for this cheap, he can be a cheap longshot that could just make you look like a genius with one or two explosive plays.
Here is everyone else and what they are listed for.
Najee Harris - $6400, #12 RB
Chase Claypool - $5000, #37 WR
Pat Freiermuth - $4200, #10 TE
Steelers' D/ST - $2400, #20 D/ST
Do you think you have the perfect fantasy play for any of the Steelers this week? Let us know by commenting below and sharing your picks/projections with us!
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