Steelers' Offense Should Limit DK Metcalf In Fantasy Football Again

The Steelers made a big splash last offseason by acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seahawks. They desperately needed a number one wide receiver, especially with George Pickens no longer on the team. Metcalf assumed the starring role, but that didn’t exactly mean great things for his fantasy football value. Heading into his second season with the team, another disappointing stat line could be on the horizon.

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2025 Performance

Metcalf appeared in 15 games for the Steelers last year, but finished with a career-low 99 targets. His 59 receptions were the first time since his rookie season that he failed to finish a year without at least 66 receptions. His 850 receiving yards were also the lowest mark of his career. All of that was despite him leading the Steelers in total targets. The player behind him in that department was running back Kenneth Gainwell, who recorded 85 targets. The next leading wide receiver behind Metcalf was Calvin Austin III, who only had 55 targets. After those two, no other wide receiver finished with more than 21 targets.

Metcalf has been an excellent deep threat throughout his career. In his last season with the Seahawks, he had an average depth of target of 13.5 yards. In four of his five seasons in Seattle, his average depth of target was at least 12.5 yards. Last season, he saw his average depth of target fall to 10.5 yards. His saving grace was his ability to rack up yards once the ball was in his hands. Of his 850 receiving yards, 426 of them came after the catch.

Quarterback Conundrum

One of the reasons why the Steelers struggled through the air last season was Aaron Rodgers being their quarterback. He was a shell of his former self, throwing for only 3,332 yards despite playing 16 games. Prior to that, he had never thrown for fewer than 3,695 yards in any season in which he appeared in at least 15 games.

At his age, Rodgers just doesn’t have the arm strength that he had during his prime. As a result, he’s not airing the ball out as much. Last season, his average target depth was a paltry 6.1 yards. He has not averaged at least 7.0 yards per pass attempt since the 2021 season as a member of the Packers.

The most notable change of the offseason for the Steelers was Mike McCarthy taking over for Mike Tomlin as head coach. McCarthy was the head coach for the Packers during most of Rodgers’ tenure there, so it’s not a huge surprise that Rodgers is back in Pittsburgh for another season. However, the veteran quarterback will turn 43 years old in December, so his arm strength isn’t going to magically return. That will limit the upside of the Steelers’ passing attack.

Arrival of Michael Pittman Jr.

Another potentially limiting factor for Metcalf is the arrival of Michael Pittman Jr., who received at least 111 targets in each of the last five seasons with the Colts. Pittman has two seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards under his belt, and he finished with a career-high seven touchdown receptions last year.

Will Pittman receive at least 110 targets again this season? Probably not, given the presence of Metcalf and the limitations that Rodgers has at this point. However, it would be a complete shock if he didn’t blow past the 55 targets that Austin had as the Steelers WR2 last season. There are 54 targets that have been vacated because of the departure of tight end Jonnu Smith, but fellow tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington could absorb most of those. Gainwell is also gone, but fellow running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle are two viable options who can make up for his target share. Dowdle combined for 99 targets with the Cowboys and Panthers the last two seasons.

Given last season’s production and the current situation that Metcalf is in, his ADP has fallen significantly. According to 4for4’s Multi-Site ADP, Metcalf has an ADP of 74 that makes him WR35. He is being selected after the likes of Parker Washington (ADP 70) and rookie Jordyn Tyson (ADP 34). That’s quite the fall for someone who is still only 28 years old and was once one of the most productive wide receivers in the league. Still, with Rodgers as his quarterback, his ADP is appropriate. At best, he is likely a low-end WR3 in fantasy. The best use of his services might be as a bye week fill-in or as a streaming option in a flex spot when the Steelers have a favorable matchup.

The Bottom Line

• DK Metcalf finished with career lows in targets (99) and receiving yards (850) last year.
• A big reason for Metcalf’s decline was the lack of explosiveness from the Steelers’ offense. That likely won’t improve this season with Aaron Rodgers under center again.
• In addition to the return of Rodgers, Metcalf will now have to compete with Michael Pittman Jr. for targets.
• According to 4for4’s Multi-Site ADP, Metcalf has an ADP of 74 and is WR35.
• There isn’t a lot to like about Metcalf’s fantasy upside with Rodgers as his quarterback and Pittman now in town. The best use of Metcalf for fantasy football purposes is probably as a bye week fill-in or as a streaming flex option for when the Steelers face a favorable foe.