NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/14)
Alex Christenson
It’s time to look ahead to the 2023 NFL season! Follow along with all our fantasy football team offseason roundups here.
It’s been a very busy NFL offseason, with free agent signings, coaching change, and several new players entering the league via the NFL Draft. As we prepare for the 2023 fantasy football season, it’s critical to have a full understanding of each team’s offseason moves. Our NFL Team Roundup Series continues today with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2023 NFL Team Roundup: Pittsburgh Steelers
2022 Results
Record: 9-8, 3rd in the AFC North
Season Ending: Beat Cleveland 28-14 but missed the playoffs
Pittsburgh Steelers Offseason Summary
Draft
1.14: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
2.32: Joey Porter, CB, Penn State
2.49: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
3.93: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
4.132: Nick Herbig, EDGE, Wisconsin
7.241: Cory Trice, CB, Purdue
7.251: Spencer Anderson, OT, Maryland
Broderick Jones, OT (1.14)
The Steelers made a rare move by trading up on draft day to select the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Broderick Jones. The Georgia product can start at either tackle position for an offensive line that improved throughout the season.
Joey Porter, CB (2.32)
Porter was consistently mocked to Pittsburgh due to his lineage, but surprisingly slipped to the second round. A great selection with the pick acquired from Chicago in last season’s Chase Claypool trade.
Keeanu Benton, DT, (2.49)
The Steelers hope Benton can anchor their defensive line for the foreseeable future. At 6-foot-3 and 309 pounds, he brings perfect size as the projected starting nose tackle.
Darnell Washington, TE (3.93)
A 6-foot-7, 264-pound tight end that runs a 4.64 40-Yard Dash is a fantastic third-round pick in any draft. Washington’s draft stock slid based on medical concerns, but his upside is massive.
Additions
Free agent signings: OT Le’Raven Clark, OG Nate Herbig, OG Isaac Seumalo, DL Armon Watts, LB Cole Holcomb, LB Elandon Roberts, CB Patrick Peterson, CB Chandon Sullivan, S Keanu Neal
Trades: WR Allen Robinson
Allen Robinson, WR
The veteran wideout hoping to rekindle his elite production after two disappointing seasons with the Bears and Rams.
The 29-year-old Seumalo was named a Pro Bowl alternate with Philadelphia last season and should fortify a Pittsburgh offensive line that struggled in run-blocking.
Patrick Peterson, CB
The ageless Peterson posted five interceptions with the Vikings in 2022 and brings a resume with 8 Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro achievements.
Departures
RB Benny Snell, FB Derek Watt, OT Trent Scott, Edge Malik Reed, DL Tyson Alualu, DL Chris Wormley, LB Devin Bush, LB Myles Jack, LB Robert Spillane, CB William Jackson, CB Cameron Sutton, S Terrell Edmunds, S Karl Joseph
Benny Snell, RB
Snell became expendable with the development of RB Jaylen Warren.
Derek Watt, FB
Watt is still a free agent, but it appears Connor Heyward will assume the FB duties this season in Pittsburgh.
Devin Bush, LB
The Steelers declined Bush’s fifth-year option after his Pittsburgh tenure included a torn ACL and inconsistent play.
Myles Jack, LB
The veteran linebacker was released after one season in Pittsburgh.
Robert Spillane, LB
The veteran linebacker played every snap on defense and special teams in 2022. Spillane signed with the Raiders.
William Jackson, CB
Was traded to Pittsburgh midseason, but never played due to a back injury. Was released in March and signed with Cincinnati.
Signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia after struggling with the Steelers over five seasons.
Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Outlook
The six most interesting Steelers fantasy options:
Kenny Pickett, QB
Kenny Pickett started 13 games as a rookie, but never posted more than one touchdown pass in a game. Can he take the next step in his second season for a Pittsburgh team with Super Bowl aspirations?
Najee Harris, RB
The 2021 first-round pick has posted consecutive seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Najee Harris battled a Lisfranc injury throughout last season but is still projected for massive rushing and receiving workload.
Jaylen Warren, RB
Second-year UDFA Jaylen Warren from Oklahoma State has impressed, and could find a fantasy role even with Harris staying healthy.
Diontae Johnson, WR
Diontae Johnson has 83 or more receptions in each of the past three seasons yet failed to score a single touchdown on 147 targets in 2022.
George Pickens, WR
Explosive Georgia product George Pickens made Chase Claypool expendable, posting a top-12 average in yards per catch (15.4).
Pat Freiermuth, TE
Ultra-consistent tight end has posted 60 and 63 receptions in his first two seasons. Pat Freiermuth finished as TE12 despite only registering two touchdowns.
2023 Outlook
DraftKings Sportsbook Wins Over/Under: 8.5 Wins (-155, +135)
AFC North odds: +450
Pittsburgh has never finished below .500 during Mike Tomlin’s 16 seasons as head coach. Despite going through a transitional year after the retirement of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers finished 2022 winning six of their last seven games for a 9-8 record. Pittsburgh has the eighth-easiest schedule per Vegas projected opposing win totals, which makes their +450 odds to win the division very tempting.
The AFC North is always competitive and could be the best division in football this season. Cincinnati has become an elite team in the league, Baltimore has reloaded around Lamar Jackson, and the Browns will be much better with a full year of Deshaun Watson under center. The juice is high on the Steelers 8.5 win total, but it’s hard to see Tomlin’s impressive streak ending if Pittsburgh stays healthy.
