Steelers Fantasy Football Preview

For those out there that participate in a Fantasy Football league, its time to start getting your draft boards in order.  I'm not going to run down any players, except Pittsburgh Steelers players and whether or not they should be drafted and what to expect from them this year.  Here goes nothing:

WR - Mike Wallace (Pictured) - Assuming that he shows up in training camp and has grasped the new offense there is no way that Wallace shouldn't go in the early rounds.  Even though he has his games where he doesn't catch the long ball, that is exactly what makes him a must grab in any fantasy league.  Some games he will have 3 catches for 155yds and 1 TD.  If he is available in Rounds 2-3, you have to take him as a regular starter on your team.

WR - Antonio Brown - This could be a year that Antonio Brown doesn't have the great numbers fantasy numbers like he did last year.  Teams will start to key on him and make him part of their game plan.  He is worth taking in the later rounds if you don't have alot of WR depth, but I wouldn't take him anywhere earlier than Round 4, personally.

QB - Ben Roethlisberger - Ben doesn't get alot of Fantasy Football attention for whatever reason.  I'm not saying that I'd take Ben above Drew Brees, Tom Brady, or Aaron Rodgers, but he deserves to be in the top 7 QBs on your depth chart.  He might not be an ideal starter, but here is a guy who puts up 200+ yd games on a regular basis.  The only concern about Ben is how healthy he stays, as well as the number of INTs he throws, which can hurt your team's performance.  Ben can be a solid backup that can be placed into the starting rotation whenever needed.  With a new offense and quality WRs to choose from, look for Ben to have a big fantasy year.

DST - Steelers Defense - The Steelers have historically been ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 on most websites and magazines, but I have to think that this year their trend would be around No. 10, and that is all based on last year's performance.  Last year they didn't stuff the run like they traditionally do, and turnovers were very hard to come by.  This team could be due for a bounceback season when it comes to turnover differential, but until that becomes obvious, I feel there are several other DST on the market that would be better to take in terms of Fantasy Football. 

RB - Isaac Redman - In my opinion, Redman should be drafted only as a back up and used against good matchups.  Redman doesn't seem like the back who is going to be able to "run on anybody put in his way".  He should be good for 75yds + week in a week out and will get plenty of reps on the goal line, but I wouldn't have him as a #1 or #2 RB on a team...maybe for a flex position.

RB - Rashard Mendenhall - When he returns from injury (word is he will be placed on the PUP list), he might be a steal to pick up and see how his production is.  I do NOT advise drafting him due to the fact that when he returns his workload will be reduced and he will be a part of a 2 back system with Redman and possible others.  Avoid Mendenhall unless you don't have ANY other options.

TE - Heath Miller - Todd Haley's offenses like the quick passes to TE and utilize them more than Bruce Arians did, but will it be enough to make Heath Miller a quality fantasy option?  Until I see Heath Miller being used more in the redzone (which I never thought was enough under Arians), I wouldn't consider Miller to be a quality draft prospect at TE.  Not when the now-typical TE prototype is Gronkowski, Hernandez, Gates, and Vernon Davis.

K - Shaun Suisham - If you have to draft Shaun Suisham as your primary kicker then you either have: #1 - Too many people in your league, or #2 - NO FOOTBALL IQ WHAT SO EVER.  Shaun Suisham had a horrendous 2011 season and with kicking at Heinz Field it might not get any better.  Avoid this man like the plague as he couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat outside of 30yds.

Sleepers -
WR - Emmanuel Sanders - Might get some significant playing time if he can win the #3 WR spot in Training Camp.
WR - Jerricho Cotchery - The other WR who might win the #3 spot, but even if he doesn't he will be the #4, and just like Hines Ward before him, he has a nose for the end zone.  Ben likes him as a TD target looking at what we saw last year towards the end of the season.
RB/KR - Chris Rainey - The young rookie looks to make Special Teams his way of getting on the field, but he could also see time on 3rd downs catching screens, etc. like Darren Sproles.  Could surprise people.
RB - Jonathan Dwyer - This guy has been working hard and looks to take the primary back up role for Redman while Mendenhall is out...he could get some quality carries and be a redzone threat.

Did I miss someone, or do you disagree my evaluation of a particular player?  Let me hear about it...leave a comment under the comment section below!