Russell Wilson or Justin Fields: Which Steelers are Worth Playing Depending on Starting QB?

Offering up thoughts on how to approach the Steelers' offense with Russell Wilson injured and Justin Fields potentially starting in week 1.

Russell Wilson has pretty much been the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback since he signed with the team, throughout the whole offseason and even after Justin Fields was brought in via trade.

Wilson is dealing with an injury in the leadup to the team’s week 1 game with the Atlanta Falcons. With that in mind, I wanted to cover the fantasy outlooks for Wilson, Fields and the rest of the Steelers’ fantasy options.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool. Explore the best in-season fantasy football tool to manage your team and get league rankings with the Fantasy Assistant. Use our  trade analyzer and trade value charts to break down trade scenarios with Fair Trade ratings.

Wilson’s Injury

Wilson first appeared on the injury report on Thursday. He is dealing with a calf injury.

After being limited in practice Thursday, he was seen watching Fields during the individual period of the team’s Friday practice.

Not practicing in full the last couple days is not ideal heading into any game, and Wilson missed time earlier this preseason too, so this week’s practices were especially important for him.

Despite being limited at practice, Wilson still expects to start this Sunday.

Quarterback Fantasy Outlooks

Wilson was with the Broncos last season, with the team going 7-8 in his 15 starts.

He completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Wilson added 341 rushing yards and three scores on 80 attempts.

Fields played in 13 games with the Chicago Bears last season, with the team going 5-8 in those games. He threw for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 61.4% of his passes. Fields added 657 rushing yards and four scores on 124 attempts.

Wilson is the better passer between the two, while Fields adds another level to the offense with his running ability. 

A season ago, the Falcons allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards in the NFL. They did allow 24 passing scores, which was in the bottom half of the league. Atlanta picked off eight passes, which was tied for the third-fewest in the NFL.

Atlanta allowed the second-most rushing yards and touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. The Falcons were in the bottom half of the league in sacks.

Based on last year’s numbers, it would appear that Fields has the chance for a better fantasy day against the Falcons because of his running ability. He’d have to take care of the ball though, and that’s not something he’s done too well in his career.

Neither are great fantasy options for week 1 in standard leagues. In deeper leagues, you might be forced to start one of them, but I wouldn’t expect a big game from whoever gets the start. Just make sure you have a backup plan in place in case Wilson is your starter and doesn’t end up playing.

Fantasy Outlooks for Other Steelers

Atlanta’s defense was in the top half of the league (barely) when it came to allowing rushing yards to opposing backs. They were also above average in limiting receiving yards for RBs. Atlanta allowed five rushing scores (tied for the fewest) and four receiving scores (tied for sixth most) to opposing backs.

Najee Harris is projected for 13 PPR fantasy points in week 1, while Jaylen Warren is projected for 11.

Regardless of which quarterback gets the start, I think the Steelers will rely heavily on Harris and Warren against the Falcons. Warren was dealing with a hamstring issue earlier in the week, so my guess is that Harris is used a bit more in what’s sometimes a 50/50 split for touches.

I’d feel more confident playing Harris and Warren if Wilson is the quarterback, because he’d take away less rushing stats from the backs. 

I’d lean toward starting Harris in all formats regardless of the starting QB. I’d consider Warren for a flex spot start if Wilson is the quarterback, but try to avoid him if Fields ends up starting. You could still start him in a deeper format, especially in PPR formats.

George Pickens is the only really good starting option among Pittsburgh receivers. He’s projected for 13 PPR fantasy points.

Pickens was part of a start decision story I did earlier in the week, but he’s really right on the line of being a flex option for week 1.

Again, Atlanta excelled in slowing opposing wideouts a season ago. However, they were below average in allowing passing TDs to WRs. Being the best and definite No. 1 option in Pittsburgh, that makes Pickens a pretty solid starting option and one I’d lean toward starting in all formats regardless of who the starting quarterback is.

Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller and rookie Roman Wilson are other wideout options, but only starting options in really deep leagues. Wilson has been limited at practice with an ankle injury, so that further complicates things for the group.

Regardless of the starting quarterback, I’d try to avoid starting any receiver other than Pickens in all formats.

Pat Freiermuth is the tight end in Pittsburgh. He’s projected for seven PPR points.

I see Freiermuth as a big-time sleeper in week 1. Atlanta struggled against tight ends in 2023, allowing the fourth-most yards and catches to TEs. Tight ends only caught four touchdowns, so that’s not quite as promising, but with not many proven pass catchers otherwise, I see Freiermuth involved early and often.

I think Freiermuth is worth considering for a starting spot in standard league, but I’d only feel really confident starting him in deeper formats. I like him better with Wilson behind center, but still think Fields would look his way a bunch if he ended up getting the start.

Check back to FantasySP in the coming days to see if any Steelers pop up in start decision stories.

#2024-fantasy-football #start-sit-decision