When the Pittsburgh Steelers take the field for their Week 1 matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon, three of their best fantasy football assets — wide receiver George Pickens and running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren — are all expected to suit up.
The only semblance of a question mark from that trio is Warren, who has been dealing with a hamstring issue for the past few weeks. However, Warren has said he will play, and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed optimism that the third-year back will suit up.
“We’re going to take it slow,” Warren said of his recovery, per Chris Adamski of TribLive.com. “I’ll be ready by Sunday.”
Good looking stuff from Jaylen Warren….hamstring feeling better pic.twitter.com/csepqCcVlT
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) September 2, 2024
While it looks like Warren, Pickens and Harris will all play, should any of them be in your lineup for Week 1? Find out now as we take a look at some start or sit advice for each.
Fantasy Football start or sit Week 1
WR George Pickens: Start
The Steelers have an absolutely dreadful wide receiver situation in 2024, making the third-year wideout, who posted career-bests in receptions (63), receiving yards (1,140) and touchdowns (five) in 2023 despite awful quarterback play, the clear-cut No. 1 option in the passing game.
Add in the fact that Pickens has a better quarterback throwing him the football in Russell Wilson and he should absolutely be in lineups. For now, consider Pickens a high-end flex option, but he should eventually settle in as an every-week WR2, at worst.
RB Najee Harris: Start
Warren is going to cut into Harris' workload once again this season, but that didn't stop the former first-round pick from tallying 16.7 touches per game in 2023.
The expected volume and a plus matchup against the Falcons is enough to give Harris a look. But the Steelers' offensive line should also be better this year and an improved situation under center should lessen the amount of stacked boxes Harris faces. Let's call him a flex option for Week 1.
RB Jaylen Warren: Start
Even with Harris leading the backfield in 2023, Warren still managed 12.3 touches per game and actually outscored Harris, both in terms of fantasy points per game and total points, according to Fantasy Pros.
As we just mentioned, the Steelers should get better blocking upfront and a better situation under center will help take some pressure off. You could do worse in your flex spot than Warren in Week 1.
