Pittsburgh Steelers training camp: 3 Fantasy football storylines to watch
By Samuel Teets
2. Which wide receivers separate themselves?
The Steelers boast three wide receivers with proven fantasy value and an enigma in rookie Chase Claypool. JuJu Smith-Schuster emerged as a star in 2018 before seeing his production halved last season. Meanwhile, James Washington barely made an impact as a rookie. However, the Oklahoma State product led the Steelers in receiving yards last year.
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As a rookie, Diontae Johnson played a significant role in Pittsburgh’s success. He led the Steelers in receptions and receiving touchdowns. While Johnson and Washington both out-produced Smith-Schuster last year, the 2017 second-round pick is younger than his less experienced teammates.
In 2019, Smith-Schuster produced 185.9 fantasy points. That number fell to 71.2 points this past year, meaning Smith-Schuster scored fewer fantasy points in standard leagues than New England’s Phillip Dorsett (71.8) and Washington’s Steven Sims (75.5). With Ben Roethlisberger returning this coming season, Smith-Schuster should rebound.
Johnson recorded 104.1 points in standard leagues last year, and Washington finished behind the rookie with 89.5 points. However, Roethlisberger’s return could shift the pecking order. While Smith-Schuster thrived alongside the veteran quarterback for two years before 2019, neither Johnson nor Washington has much experience with Roethlisberger. There’s also the chance that Claypool battles his way into the lineup before the season ends.
There’s no set pecking order amongst the receivers in Pittsburgh right now, and training camp might begin to give fantasy football fans an idea about what they can expect in 2020.