Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 15th, 2024, 4:25 ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Network: CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Justin Fields: Sit, QB2
As things stand right now, it appears we’re looking at another Justin Fields start for the Steelers in Week 2. Fields is a conundrum at the position, carrying the ball a whopping 14 times against the Falcons, but producing only 57 yards. Across a full season of games, Fields will likely post a respectable week or two, but the booms are impossible to predict and the weekly floor in this offense is too low to trust.
Running Back
Najee Harris: Start, RB2
Jaylen Warren: Sit, RB4
Cordarrelle Patterson: Sit
One of the year’s most even backfield splits in 2023 was dominated by Najee Harris in Week 1. The Alabama product saw 20 touches against the Falcons but failed to find the end zone as the Steelers’ offense struggled as a whole. Harris is your standard volume-based RB2, while Jaylen Warren should remain on your benches as he continues to manage a nagging hamstring injury. Finally, Cordarrelle Patterson belongs on waivers at this stage in his career.
Wide Receiver
George Pickens: Start, WR3/FLEX
George Pickens produced more than half of the Steelers’ receiving yards in Week 1 as the go-to target for Justin Fields. The low passing volume in this offense means that Pickens’ weekly upside is capped, but his playmaking ability and strong share of targets means he can be started as your WR3 or FLEX in Arthur Smith‘s run-heavy scheme.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: Sit, TE2
Much like Pickens, Pat Freiermuth commands a large share of targets in this positional group but has a low floor and ceiling thanks to this team’s offensive identity. He’s a touchdown-dependent TE2 for the time being.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Bo Nix: Sit, QB3
It’s hard to imagine many more difficult places to being your NFL career than on the road at Lumen Field in Seattle, but things don’t figure to get much easier for Bo Nix against a tough Steelers defense in Week 2. Nix committed multiple turnovers in his NFL debut, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him do the same against T.J. Watt and crew this week. Leave him on waivers as he develops throughout his rookie season.
Running Back
Javonte Williams: FLEX Option
Jaleel McLaughlin: Sit, RB4
Audric Estime: Sit
Overall, the Broncos’ backfield is not one you want to rely on in Week 2, but Javonte Williams still provides the most upside as a FLEX option as the theoretical lead back for Denver. Williams was out-touched by Jaleel McLaughlin in a game that was mostly out of reach in the second half, meaning there isn’t much we can discern about each back’s place in this offense. McLaughlin did dominate the target share within this group, which will be an important trend to monitor, especially if Nix’s passing tree continues to live around the line of scrimmage.
Wide Receiver
Courtland Sutton: Sit
Courtland Sutton garnered 12 targets in Week 1, turning them into a whopping 38 yards in this floundering offense. Sutton is the only receiver worth scheming around in an inefficient offense starting a rookie quarterback against one of the league’s best defenses. All of these pieces point to Sutton as a sit this week, and a matchup-dependent option until Nix adjusts to the NFL level.
Tight End
Greg Dulcich: Sit
For all the reasons that Sutton should remain on your bench this week, Greg Dulcich is even more of a sit for Week 2. Dulcich should remain on waivers for now.