Week 10 – Steve Smith Sr. vs. Tennessee
Steve Smith Sr. hasn’t put up the big numbers in recent weeks that he did early in the season, but he continues to get targets in the Ravens offense. Last week against the Steelers, Smith had only 36 yards, but caught five passes on eight targets, showing that he remains a top option in the Baltimore passing game.
This week, he faces a middle-of-the-road pass defense. The Titans have given up just over a touchdown per game this year through the air. Smith was putting up WR1 numbers early in the season, but he’s settled back to the mean it looks like, as a decent WR2 option in most leagues, which is where we have him ranked against Tennessee this week.
Week 9 – Steve Smith Sr. vs. Pittsburgh
Steve Smith Sr. had a down week against the Bengals last week, putting up only 35 yards on three receptions. He had a long touchdown called back that would’ve won the game for the Ravens if he hadn’t been flagged for offensive pass interference on the play. Smith is still seventh in the league in receiving yards and is enjoying a resurgent season, and despite the lack of production last week, he still led the team with nine targets.
This week, Smith will face a Steelers defense that has struggled against the pass, and has allowed 13 touchdowns through the air so far this year. Smith should continue to put up borderline WR1 numbers this week and fantasy owners should have him in their lineups each week.
Week 8 – Steve Smith Sr. vs. Cincinnati
Steve Smith Sr., despite his advanced age, has managed to be a deep threat in Baltimore, and against the Falcons last week, he once again hauled in a 49 yard reception. He only caught three passes for 67 yards on the day, but appears to be the a premier receiver again behind a good season from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, and Smith is 7th in the league in receiving yards.
This week, Smith faces a Bengals defense that has struggled lately and is now 27th in the league against the pass. Smith hasn’t put up the kind of eye popping numbers to make him a WR1 each week this season, but he has been good enough to be a solid WR2 that you can count on. We have him as a top 20 option again this week and he should be active in all leagues.
Week 7 – Steve Smith Sr. vs. Atlanta
Steve Smith Sr. had another great game, catching five balls for 110 yards and a touchdown against the Bucs last week. He’s become a reliable deep ball target for the Ravens, as his score came from 56 yards and he is now fifth in the league in receiving yards.
This week, Smith faces an Atlanta pass defense that ranks bottom five in the league. Enjoying a career resurgence, the feisty 35 year old is now a must start each week, and with an excellent matchup, we have him ranked as a top 10 option and WR1 in all formats.
Week 6 – Steve Smith Sr. vs. Tampa Bay
Steve Smith Sr. came back to earth a bit last week against the Colts, catching five passes, but gaining only 34 yards. He was still targeted seven times though and he remains a focal point in the Ravens passing attack. He has also been more effective tracking deep balls than his counterpart Torrey Smith, and he still seems to be the player to own in the Baltimore receiving corps.
This week, he has a nice matchup against a familiar opponent. The Bucs have given up the third most passing yards per game in the league this year and only four teams have given up more touchdown passes. Smith should rebound off a subpar week and put up numbers worthy of a solid WR2. He should be active in all leagues.
Week 5 – Steve Smith Sr. vs. Indianapolis
Steve Smith Sr. delivered as promised against his former Panthers team on Sunday, busting out 139 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions. The Ravens obliterated Carolina and Smith could seemingly do no wrong, including grabbing a deflected pass for a long touchdown score.
This week, Smith faces a Colts defense that ranks 23rd in the league against the pass. Though 35 years old, Smith is clearly the top receiving option in Baltimore and has been wildly productive as a deep threat for quarterback Joe Flacco. He’s reached solid WR2, borderline WR1 status week-to-week, and it’s going to be hard to keep him out of your lineup as long as he keeps producing like this.
Week 4 – Steve Smith Sr. vs. Carolina
Steve Smith Sr. has enjoyed a career resurgence in Baltimore. Through three weeks, Smith is 7th in the league in receiving yards, and he had five catches on seven targets for 101 yards against the Browns on Sunday.
This is a rough matchup against the Panthers this week, but against his former team, Smith should be amped up and highly motivated to make the team pay for releasing the veteran during the off-season. Smith has been playing like a WR2 so far this year, and against his former team, he has a chance to deliver those kinds of numbers again. I’d have him active.
Week 3 – Steve Smith vs. Cleveland
Steve Smith has been a bright spot in Baltimore through two games, following up an explosive first week with six receptions and 71 yards against the Steelers last Thursday night. He’s brought a feisty toughness to the Ravens offense, something that was lacking last year following the departure of Anquan Boldin.
Smith faces a tough Cleveland defense this week, and he remains the second or third option in the passing game, limiting his fantasy value. He’s a nice injury fill-in, and a great guy to have on your roster, but in the Baltimore offense it’s hard to expect the 35 year old Smith to keep up this pace, and he’s a low end WR3 option against the Browns.
Week 2 – Steve L Smith vs. Pittsburgh
Steve L Smith had a great start to his new career as a Baltimore Raven. He finished with seven receptions and 118 yards, including a career long 80 yard touchdown reception that briefly put the Ravens on top of the Bengals just past the midway point of the fourth quarter. He showed the kind of toughness and savvy route running that Baltimore was looking for when they picked him up this offseason.
Against the Steelers this week, fantasy owners shouldn’t expect a repeat performance. If you take away the 80 yard bomb, Smith’s numbers were very pedestrian (6 catches 38 yards) and the Ravens offense is still a work in progress. Still, Smith was targeted 15 times, which shows he’s going to be an active part of the offense, and he should continue to benefit from the added attention given to Torrey Smith on the other side of the field. Smith is a borderline WR3.
Week 1 – Steve Smith vs. Cincinnati
For the first time in his career, Steve Smith will don a uniform other than that of a Carolina Panther as the NFL season opens. Smith has modest fantasy value as a Raven. He’ll be the clear WR2 on the team behind Torrey Smith, and Baltimore has never been known as a pass heavy team.
Additionally, Smith faces a tough challenge in Week 1. The Bengals were fifth in the league last year against the pass and look to be a tough opponent this season as well. Coming off a down year, and clearly in the twilight of his career, we have Smith conservatively listed at 58th on our rankings this week, placing him out of starter contention.
