Steelers Fantasy Football: Week 2 is About Tracking the Injuries
Week 1 was a doozy. The Steelers walked away with their first win under reconstructed Ben Roethlisberger, I started my fantasy season 1-0, and I hope that if you followed Week 1's advice, you did as well.
Week 2 brings a Denver Broncos team hoping to find a light at the end of the injury tunnel. They'll head to Pittsburgh without a running back, cornerback, or linebacker, looking to shake off a Week 1 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
A betting man (or woman) might be scared to touch this one. While the Broncos are beat up, so are the Steelers. They placed right tackle Zach Banner on injury reserve, don't know the status of James Conner, and had nine players miss their first practice of Week 2.
There are a lot of question marks when it comes to Steelers vs Broncos at Heinz Field. But as you fill out your fantasy lineup, we're here to help.
Start 'Em
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
When you drafted Roethlisberger, there was some expectation he'd become your starting quarterback. Maybe you wanted into the deeper rounds to pick your two passers, but after Week 1, Big Ben proved to be worthy of that starting role.
He said he feels like he's been in a car accident after playing his first game in a year, but made sure to address that his arm is the only part that doesn't hurt.
The Broncos announced A.J. Bouye could miss several weeks with a shoulder injury, leaving an already beat-up defense with another weak link.
Denver will rely on Michael Ojemudia and Essang Bassey, two rookies, to play opposite of Bryce Callahan. Last week, they allowed 247 passing yards against the Tennesee Titans.
Roethlisberger walked away from Week 1 with over 20 fantasy points in regulation leagues. I'd expect him to stay above that mark in Week 2.
He has momentum, an injured Denver defense, and at some point, Diontae Johnson and James Washington will be creating more big plays.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers
Do I have to explain? Smith-Schuster caught six passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns in his first game with Ben Roethlisberger back. He was running around with a smile on his face the whole night and then came into the practice week with high praise and love for his quarterback.
"Ben's been playing this game for so long. He's accomplished everything that I've dreamed of," Smith-Schuster said. "And I don't know how long I have with him, but I'll make every game, every day, special with him."
Yeah, okay, I'm tearing up too.
How are you going to bet against a player who had 2,343 passing yards and 14 touchdowns in two full seasons with Roethlisberger?
The answer is simple - you're not.
Smith-Schuster is a WR1 option until further notice. The Bronco's top cornerback left in Week 1 with a shoulder injury and won't return for Pittsburgh. He's fighting against understudies and is going to eat up this Denver secondary.
Benny Snell Jr., RB, Steelers
Last week, my sleeper for the Steelers was Diontae Johnson. This week, it's Benny Snell Jr. - with caution.
I'd find it hard to believe that James Conner is going to secure the starting job even if he returns to practice in time to play. After leaving the game in the first half on Monday night, the Steelers' best option might be to utilize Conner as the change of pace back to keep him healthy.
With that comes a bigger opportunity for Snell. In 19 rushes in Week 1, he accumulated 113 yards and might've proven he's deserving of a starting role.
Conner's availability will play a vital role in this decision, but it's worth the risk if he gets the shot to start. The Broncos' defense allowed the second-most rushing yards in Week 1 to Derrick Henry. If Snell torches them in Week 2, you're going to be upset he's sitting on your bench.
Steelers Defense
Daniel Jones looked good; I'll give him that. But when you hold Saquon Barkley to six yards on 15 carries, you're allowed to let a quarterback throw two touchdowns - and two interceptions.
Pittsburgh's defense might be the best all-around group in the NFL. They started a little slow against the pass but found their rhythm as the game went on.
Don't expect Minkah Fitzpatrick to miss an assignment that costs a long touchdown, or for Steven Nelson to continue getting beat in the red zone.
This is a 10-plus point group until they get into games against the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys. Until then, they're as reliable as any group you'll find off the waiver wire.
Start them.
Noah Fant, TE, Broncos
Fant ended Week 1 with 81 yards and a touchdown, and if he was sitting on your bench, you still haven't forgiven yourself.
The Broncos tight end has everything you'd want in a receiver but plays off the line. Sometimes.
We saw Fant line up all over the field on Monday night. The Broncos utilized him as a receiver, tight end, in the slot, and I'm pretty sure I watched him block someone at one point.
With uncertainties to guys like Courtland Sutton or K.J. Hamler, Drew Lock is going to rely on guys he's been around for a full season. Fant is a big-bodied tight end with receiver hands and speed. He's as prime of a target for a young quarterback as they come.
The Steelers held Evan Engram to two receptions for nine yards, but in Week 1 we have to guess the hype was too high instead of saying the Steelers defense isn't allowing points to a tight end.
Sit 'Em
James Conner, RB, Steelers
Conner didn't practice on Wednesday and could be a long shot from playing this Sunday.
Snell's 113 yards was more than enough to feel comfortable about keeping him as the workhorse in Conner's absence. There's no point in rushing a player who has a history of injuries when there's a feature back sitting behind him.
I'd guess Conner doesn't suit up in Week 2, but even if he does, it's going to be the Benny Snell Football show to keep Conner fresh as long as they can.
Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers
I want to say give Johnson another shot in Week 2 and hope he finds the endzone. Really, 10 targets and six receptions is a stat line that leaves plenty of room for a big day.
My start 'em had Johnson in it against the Giants because I felt like he would move around the field more. I expected him and Smith-Schuster to split time in the slot and work as the middle of the field receivers.
Smith-Schuster got most of that workload, and it showed in his production. Roethlisberger loves to let his playmakers handle the ball, and if he can dump it off over the middle and let Smith-Schuster run, he's going to.
Johnson needs more of that role to see bigger fantasy numbers. So until he finds the endzone or has his breakout game on the outside, keep him on the bench.
Drew Lock, QB, Broncos
If you're going off of Jones' Week 1 performance against the Steelers, than Lock is staying on your bench.
Most fantasy owners took a shot on Lock in the later rounds of their draft. A player who could be something special but could also need time to develop into a consistent QB1 option.
Against the Steelers defense that is going to pay more attention to the quarterback in Week 2, you're not doing yourself any favors by starting him.
The Broncos scored just 14 points against the Titans. Expect that to stay right around their point total against the Steelers, which leaves little room for big fantasy numbers.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Broncos
The Steelers held Saquon Barkley to six yards on 15 carries. Should I go on?
Gordon actually had a very productive night against Tennessee. His 15 attempts for 78 yards and a touchdown had fantasy owners thrilled they took a chance on him in their starting lineup.
You can't see that coming against the Steelers.
The front-seven of Pittsburgh is as dangerous as any. Devin Bush found Barkley at the line of scrimmage anytime he tried to bounce it to outside, the defensive line gave no light up the middle, and if the Broncos end up playing from behind, it's game over for Gordon.
He's an option I'd like to have but one I'd keep on my bench in Week 2.
Broncos Defense
The Broncos defense would've been high on my list during the draft. They had everything going for them, and if the offense clicks a little more, they'll benefit from playing ahead on teams.
Then, Von Miller went down, Bradley Chubb had lingering issues, and A.J. Bouye headed to IR for a few weeks.
This group is beat up. There are too many negatives to believe they're going to do more than the 10-point bar leagues set defenses at. And playing the Steelers, who just handed Giants defensive owners four points, you're taking a big risk that the Broncos will do any better.
Noah Strackbein is a Publisher with AllSteelers. Follow Noah on Twitter @NoahStrack, and AllSteelers @si_steelers.
