Welcome to our Steelers fantasy football preview.
With preseason now in the rearview mirror, many fantasy football leagues will be hosting their drafts ahead of next Thursday's NFL season opener. We'll break these down into three parts, starting with a look at the running back position.
Any good fantasy football player knows how valuable running backs are, even with offenses passing the ball more than ever. If you're fortunate enough to get a top-tier running back, pray he stays healthy. If not, you might need to really pay attention to which running backs can provide value, whether they are part of a timeshare or next in line behind a bell cow.
Fantasy football is also a lot more fun when you're able to draft players from your favorite team. But beware to not allow your bias to force you into a bad draft selection. We're here to give you insight on which Steelers are worth drafting and where you should be looking to select them.
NAJEE HARRIS
2021 stats: 307 rushes, 1,200 yards, 7 TD, 3.9 yards per attempt, 74 receptions (94 targets), 467 yards, 3 TD, 6.3 yards per reception
The running back position in Pittsburgh is all about Najee Harris. And fortunately for Steelers fans, Harris is one of the top fantasy running backs in the NFL.
Sheer volume made the Alabama product very valuable last season -- especially in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues -- as Harris is coming off a rookie season where he led the league with 381 touches. He also led running backs in snaps, routes, targets and receptions. Due to a poor offensive line, efficiency was rather lacking, but a high number of touches makes any running back valuable in today's game.
Heading into 2022, Harris is in line to be the Steelers' bell cow once again. And Harris could be even more valuable than he was in his rookie season.
The Steelers revamped their offensive line with additions of Mason Cole and James Daniels in free agency. Then they traded for Jesse Davis earlier this week to deepen the group. Logically, this bodes well for Harris. A better offensive line should create more running space for him.
It also shouldn't be forgotten that Harris was third in the NFL with 675 yards after contact in 2021. If that first contact happens further downfield, Harris has the potential to become the most dangerous running back in the NFL.
However, the offensive line was very underwhelming during the preseason. It does take time for a new group of guys to gel, which is why conclusions shouldn't be made before the first snap of the regular season. But, if there's anything that can prevent Harris from either matching what he did last season or taking a step forward, a bad offensive line is one of them.
The other, and most obvious issue for any player, is health and durability. Harris touched the ball a lot last season and was able to start all 17 games. That's good news. However, the Steelers would probably be better off if he didn't touch the ball 381 times again. Touching the ball that often certainly puts him at higher risk of injury, and Mike Tomlin would love to have a guy who can step in and spell Harris for an entire series here and there without a major drop off in production.
In addition, Harris didn't get a lot of work in during training camp and the preseason due to a Lisfranc sprain. Harris and Tomlin both maintain the injury is in the past. But, the Steelers' priority will be keeping Harris healthy. If one of the guys behind Harris can become an effective backup, Harris could see a minor dip in volume.
Where to draft: Harris is a surefire first-round pick. ESPN ranks him fifth among running backs in PPR leagues, with Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler and Derrick Henry ahead of him, respectively. I would even rank Harris ahead of Henry, especially in PPR leagues. Henry is not a focal point of Tennessee's passing game, and Harris should improve this season, regardless of what happens with the offensive line.
Harris should go no later than sixth or seventh in the draft, and could go as high as fourth. Sure, you could take a high-producing receiver like Cooper Kupp or Justin Jefferson. However, as mentioned earlier, there are only so many top-tier running backs. If you're picking fourth or fifth and Harris is there, you should take him.
OTHER OPTIONS
• Jaylen Warren may have signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent this spring, but he came into a camp and not only earned a roster spot, but may have supplanted Benny Snell as the team's No. 2 running back. The Oklahoma State product is shifty and finds ways to gain additional yardage in tight spaces. He's also proven an ability to be active in the passing game, which gives the Steelers a valuable and versatile option in the backfield when Harris needs a play or series off.
Warren is, however, unproven. He did go undrafted, and he wouldn't be the first running back to have a stellar preseason then flop once the real action begins. Even though Warren has gotten the majority of the second-team reps in the latter stages of training camp and preseason, there isn't an official acknowledgement that Warren is the bonafide No. 2 back.
Warren will go undrafted in the vast majority of fantasy leagues. The only exception for selecting Warren is in leagues with extra bench spots. The standard team size is 15 players (nine starters and six reserve). If you're in a league with more than that, Warren is OK to take as a flyer in the final round of your draft -- no earlier than that.
However, it's probably best to wait and see if he is, in fact, the first guy to spell Harris come Week 1 in Cincinnati, and how he fares in regular season action. Then, he'd be a fine addition through the waiver wire as an insurance policy. But, the aforementioned scenario is fine if you want to be ahead of the curve.
• On the flip side, Snell has seemingly lost his spot right behind Harris. He was going to be on the roster regardless due to his exceptional reputation in special teams. However, Snell should not be touched at all in fantasy football, even if Harris were to go down with some sort of injury.
• Anthony McFarland was released ahead of Tuesday's 53-man roster cut, and subsequently signed with the practice squad. He's even further down the ranks.
• The Steelers seldom utilize a fullback. In fact, Derek Watt only has one carry in two seasons with the Steelers. He's a special teams guy. Another guy not worth mentioning in the fantasy football world.
• Next time, we'll preview the Steelers' receivers. That should be up Saturday. Stay tuned.
