Steelers WRs Fantasy Outlooks: DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive transformation under Arthur Smith and Aaron Rodgers has fantasy football managers scratching their heads about which pass-catchers to target. While DK Metcalf’s move to the Steel City generated initial buzz, his fantasy outlook remains surprisingly tepid despite landing in what could be a more favorable situation.

DK Metcalf Fantasy Outlook

Typically, I’d be out on Metcalf, especially after targeting him aggressively last year. He doesn’t have very promising underlying stats, and the move to the Steelers with Aaron Rodgers seems nebulous at best. However, his ADP hasn’t shot up like I thought it might. There appears to be plenty of caution from everyone, but he’s in that Rashee Rice, Zay Flower, and DeVonta Smith range of risky upside receivers. 

For starters, Metcalf’s build and hype would allude to an elite ceiling, and while he’s had a few very good seasons, he has yet to truly break into that elite category and struggles to stay consistent. His style seems to mesh with what Rodgers likes in a receiver. The pairing can work well enough, but it might be ugly for stretches. 

DK METCALF GETS WIDE OPEN FOR THE 56-YARD TD 🔥

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/Uc3L09y2th

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 15, 2024

Lastly, Arthur Smith hasn’t led a WR1 to fantasy success since AJ Brown in 2021. A young Drake London struggled in Atlanta, and George Pickens imploded last year. That can be a symptom of quarterback play as well, but Smith loves to spread the ball, and Rodgers isn’t the elite version of himself, which would make me less wary. 

That being said, his floor of ~900 yards and five touchdowns isn’t that bad. This offense needs production somewhere, and there aren’t many other options for the passing game. I struggle to see a huge upside here, but he might be a reliable WR2 you can play based on matchups. Considering his draft range, that’s not a bad get. 

– Mason LeBeau, Fantasy Football Analyst

Calvin Austin III Fantasy Outlook

I suppose someone has to break out and catch passes in this Pittsburgh Steelers offense, right? Even then, are we really using a draft pick on Austin? At WR95, no one else is, but should you?

No, probably not. This Arthur Smith-Aaron Rodgers offense is pretty easy to skip on unless you really like WR D.K. Metcalf or RB Kaleb Johnson. There will be some value somewhere, but there’s a good chance Rodgers spreads out the ball in a low-volume offense for a team that wins with defense. 

Austin’s role is not secure, competing with Robert Woods, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek, and Senior Bowl darling Roman Wilson. If I’m taking a shot anywhere here, it’s on Wilson. 

– Mason LeBeau, Fantasy Football Analyst