Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, November 21st, 2024, 8:15 PM ET
Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
Network: Prime Video
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Russell Wilson: Sit, QB2
Last week appeared to be a smash spot for Russell Wilson against one of the league’s worst passing defenses in the Baltimore Ravens, but he disappointed in a big way, scoring just 7.3 fantasy points. It’s another strong matchup this week for Wilson against the Cleveland Browns, who allow the 11th-most points to QBs and have looked especially vulnerable over the past month. Still, Wilson is a volatile option, especially when considering that the Steelers seem to want to use Justin Fields more in their game plan. Could we see some Taysom Hill-esque packages for Fields this week? It sure worked well for the Saints against the Browns in Week 11.
Running Back
Najee Harris: Start, RB2
Jaylen Warren: FLEX Option, RB3
The backfield split between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren we grew accustomed to during the 2023 season has returned in recent weeks, with Warren creeping close to an even split of the workload with Harris. While Najee may appear as the stronger “ground and pound” option, both backs have maintained relevance in the passing game, raising their floors in PPR leagues. Against a tough Cleveland run defense, Najee profiles as a low-end RB2 based on volume. Warren, meanwhile, is a mid-range FLEX option, but he may creep closer to RB2 relevance if he continues to be the more efficient back.
Wide Receiver
George Pickens: Start, WR1
George Pickens remains must-see TV, whether it be due to his insane acrobatic catches or his ridiculous antics on the field. Pickens is hitting his stride with Russell Wilson at QB, with his three best weeks in terms of fantasy production coming in his last four games, all of which Wilson started. Pickens has a 30% target share in the Russell Wilson era, an elite number for an elite wide receiver. Against a Browns defense that allows the fifth-most points to receivers, Pickens is a WR1 and could be in place for a big-time boom week.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: Streaming Option
Pat Freiermuth hasn’t seen more than 3 targets in a game since Week 4, meaning he’ll likely have to find the end zone to return fantasy relevance this week. Still, we know Muth is a talented player, so on a week where we are missing Kyle Pitts, Dalton Kincaid, Taysom Hill, and others, he may be one of the better options available to cover a shift in your lineup for Week 12. It’s a roll of the dice–best of luck.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Jameis Winston: Sit, QB2
If there’s one thing we can be sure we’ll get from Fameis Jameis, it’s volume. In his time as the Cleveland starter, he has at least 41 passing attempts in all three games. He also had two top-10 finishes in that span, so maybe Winston is getting close to the streaming category of quarterbacks if he can keep up this volume. The bad news for Winston streamers is that this week’s matchup against the Steelers isn’t a great time to start him–Pittsburgh allows the second-least points to QBs and just gave dynamic rookie Jayden Daniels and MVP front-runner Lamar Jackson an incredibly tough time in the past two weeks. Monitor Jameis for future matchups, but leave him out of your lineups for now.
Running Back
Nick Chubb: FLEX Option, RB3
Jerome Ford: Sit, RB4
The lost season continues for Nick Chubb, who hasn’t eclipsed 52 rushing yards yet this season. Even worse for his fantasy prospects is the fact that he hasn’t caught multiple passes in a single game. Against Pittsburgh’s intimidating front seven, this probably won’t be the game where we see the Chubb of old. As the team’s RB1, he is a low-end FLEX option, ranking below both Pittsburgh backs this week. Jerome Ford is operating as the Browns’ pass-catching RB, hauling in all 4 of his targets in Week 11. He may have a higher floor than Chubb in PPR leagues, but he should also be left on your benches in this tough matchup.
Wide Receiver
Cedric Tillman: FLEX Option, WR3
Jerry Jeudy: FLEX Option, WR3
Elijah Moore: FLEX Option, WR4
Holy target distribution, Batman! In the Jameis Winston era, the targets for Cedric Tillman (28), Jerry Jeudy (30), and Elijah Moore (29) are a near-exact three-way split between the three starting receivers for Cleveland. So, which one is the top play for this week? I’m sticking with Tillman as the best option and a top-tier FLEX play for this week because he seems to be the preferred option when looking for a long score. Jeudy comes in slightly behind Tillman for me–his usage has been great, and he has a high floor in PPR leagues, but his red zone usage metrics are concerning enough to limit his ceiling. Moore is the odd man out for me here because he tends to get shorter looks and also doesn’t get many looks in the red zone. He’s a deeper league FLEX option at best. We’re lowering expectations for all receivers against a strong Steelers defense, which is why Tillman and Jeudy aren’t quite touching that WR2 range this week.
Tight End
David Njoku: Start, TE1
The Browns’ receivers aren’t the only ones benefitting from a change at quarterback. David Njoku has also received a healthy dose of targets from Winston over the past three weeks (23), and he’s finished as a top-7 tight end in three of his last four games. Another predicted heavy dose of targets keeps Njoku firmly in the TE1 ranks, especially with the large number of teams on bye in Week 12.
If Sam Darnold is not a must sit then why is he labeled “Sit”?
Why not label him “QB2”?
We base our rankings on single-QB leagues since they’re the most common, so any QB outside of our top 12 would technically be labeled a “Sit.” We try to provide some insight in terms of if they’re a viable streamer or start in SF leagues as well, but that’s our general process for that position!