The Pittsburgh Steelers have started the 2024 campaign with two wins, but that is largely due to their defense and kicker Chris Boswell. Quarterback Justin Fields, running back Jaylen Warren and tight end Pat Freiermuth haven't done much to start this season.
Fields had another lackluster fantasy outing in Week 2, finishing with just 117 passing yards and 27 rushing yards. He did find the end zone for the first time, though.
Warren saw an uptick in work last week, but that still amounted to just 11 touches for 61 scrimmage yards, and he didn't find the end zone. Meanwhile, Freiermuth was mostly quiet once again, reeling in four grabs for 39 scoreless yards.
The Steelers draw a matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Can Fields, Warren or Freiermuth be trusted in fantasy football lineups?
Let's break it down.
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Justin Fields
If you're starting Fields this week, you're banking on rushing yards, as Fields hasn't eclipsed more than 156 passing yards in a game this season with the Steelers having him playing game manager to try and put games in the hands of their defense.
The problem with depending on rushing yards is the fact that Fields has just 84 over two games, which isn't enough to make up for his lackluster passing production. He's also only scored one touchdown.
The Steelers face a Chargers defense that is the stingiest team in the league when it comes to fantasy points given up to quarterbacks. Los Angeles has a deadly edge rusher duo in Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, and the Steelers don't exactly have an offensive line that can be fully trusted in pass protection.
This game has all the makings of a struggle for the Steelers' passing attack, and it's why you can't depend on Fields in Week 3.
Verdict: Sit 'Em
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Jaylen Warren
After barely being involved in Week 1, Warren saw seven more touches in Week 2, which was encouraging. He was efficient with his 11 opportunities, tallying 61 scoreless scrimmage yards.
However, Najee Harris remains the clear lead back in Pittsburgh and is averaging 19.5 touches per contest over his first two. Warren simply isn't getting enough looks right now to justify starting him.
Verdict: Sit 'Em
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Pat Freiermuth
We know Freiermuth is capable of more than the eight catches and 66 yards he's totaled over the first two games, but the Steelers' passing attack simply isn't allowing him to reach his ceiling.
Pittsburgh has actually rushed for more yards than it has thrown for over the first two games and there simply isn't enough opportunities out there to be confident in any Steelers pass-catcher right now.
The Chargers actually present a decent matchup for Freiermuth, as Los Angeles is tied for the 16th-most fantasy points surrendered per game to tight ends. But, again, trusting a Steelers pass-catcher is a risky proposition right now.
Verdict: Sit 'Em
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