Steelers Players Fantasy “Buy or Sell” Report, Vol. 1

Training camp is here, Steelers Nation, and one of my favorite parts of being a football fan is how much better fantasy football is compared to many other sports I follow. With camp underway, re-draft leagues are starting to take shape, and I imagine many of you are already doing your homework on players you’re interested in for the 2025–26 season.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably picked a few Steelers over the years a little earlier than their average draft position. That’s completely understandable. It’s hard to enjoy a fantasy season without at least one player from the black and gold on your roster. That said, some Steelers offer more value than others this year when it comes to fantasy drafts, and I wanted to share some thoughts on that.

So let’s get into volume one of evaluating the fantasy outlook of the Steelers’ key playmakers as training camp begins.

Jaylen Warren – ADP 89.5 – RB 32

From the outside, many in the national media believe Jaylen Warren will be the clear-cut No. 1 running back on the Steelers roster. However, I firmly believe Kaleb Johnson will see the most carries earlier than many expect. This isn’t a new role for Warren, who has spent most of his NFL career playing behind Najee Harris while wearing the black and gold.

Last season, Warren finished 29th in PPR rankings among running backs, making him a solid fantasy option thanks to his explosive play style and third-down ability. It’s also worth noting that he dealt with soft tissue injuries, which appeared to limit his burst immediately upon returning and likely impacted his production. That said, I still expect a slightly larger role for Warren in 2025. With what should be a more efficient offensive line in front of him, he has the potential to outperform his current RB32 draft ranking and at least match last year’s fantasy value.

Outcome: Buy

Jonnu Smith – ADP 122 – TE 12

Smith was part of the blockbuster trade that included Jalen Ramsey and Minkah Fitzpatrick, a move that shocked the NFL world about a month ago. He is coming off one of the most fantasy-relevant seasons of his career, with 111 targets, 88 receptions, 884 yards, and 8 touchdowns while playing in Miami. That production led to a TE4 finish in PPR leagues.

He now reunites with coordinator Arthur Smith, who coached him during his time in both Tennessee and Atlanta. The concern is that under Arthur Smith, Jonnu never averaged more than 10 points per game in PPR formats, compared to over 13 points per game last season.

Smith will likely become the “easy button” for Aaron Rodgers, someone who can catch the ball quickly and create yards after the catch. That role could suit him well in this offense. Still, Pat Freiermuth is expected to be the number one tight end. Even if the role is split at times, Freiermuth should be the clear 1A, which may limit Smith’s opportunities.

Outcome: Sell

Calvin Austin – ADP 225 – WR 79

The Steelers are still yet to add another receiver to the room, and there are plenty of questions about whether they will actually make a move to boost the group heading into the season. If they don’t, Calvin Austin III will be the clear-cut No. 2 on opening day behind DK Metcalf, thanks to his continued growth at the NFL level toward the end of last season.

Austin saw a 100% increase in targets last year, resulting in 548 yards and 4 touchdowns, which made him a fantasy-relevant player depending on your league format. He has also shown increased effectiveness operating on the outside in a pinch, thanks to improved route running through his second NFL season.

I’d argue he will now have better quarterback play, and if the Steelers don’t make a significant addition to the room, Austin should see even more opportunity in 2025.

Outcome: Buy

A few different names covered here, and we’ll no doubt dive into more in the coming days. I’d love to hear your two cents on Warren, Smith, and Austin, and how you see them performing heading into the new fantasy year.

For now, enjoy the beginning of training camp and stay tuned to SCN for all your up-to-date information.