Week 2 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Despite a rough game last week with at least five drops and just three catches for seven yards, Donte Moncrief will remain the No. 2 receiver in Pittsburgh. He did get 10 targets last week, which is promising. Ben Roethlisberger continues to express confidence in Moncrief. It's a better matchup this week. And if Moncrief gets anything close to those 10 targets again, a better game should be forthcoming. But he shouldn't be in your lineup this week unless you've got injuries and need a flex.
Week 1 at New England
If the Patriots do things the way they normally do, Donte Moncrief could draw Stephon Gilmore this week as the Patriots use their other defensive backs to double JuJu Smith-Shuster. But the Steelers are intent on getting the ball to Moncrief and allowing him to try to run through some tackle attempts. So he'll catch some quick screens and slants. And they'll take a shot to him from time to time, as well. He's also a big red zone target. Moncrief caught four passes for 34 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots in a meeting last season on nine targets while with the Jaguars. He could have a similar-type line in this game, which would make him a decent flex play.
Fantasy Upside
Donte Moncrief comes to the Steelers after a so-so season with the Jaguars in which he caught 48 passes for 663 yards and three scores. Then again, considering Jacksonville's QB situation, that wasn't all that bad. He's in a much better situation now, and at 25, could be poised to have something of a breakout season. At worst, he and James Washington will split time playing in two and three-receiver sets opposite JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Fantasy Downside
Will Moncrief get enough targets in the Steelers' offense to be fantasy relevant? Ben Roethlisberger likes him and he's the biggest of the Steelers receivers, but can he carve out anything more than a No. 4 target role in this offense?
2019 Bottom Line
Moncrief has some upside, just like James Washington. But everything is new here.
Remember this, of his 346 career targets, 141 came from Andrew Luck. The others came from QBs nowhere nearly as talented. On those targets from Luck, Moncrief produced more than 1,000 yards and 10 scores. Like teammate Washington, he has upside as the Steelers try to replace Antonio Brown's 104 receptions and 1,200 yards. Moncrief is certainly worth a late-round flier.
Week 17 at Houston Texans
In the win at Miami last Sunday, Donte Moncrief hauled in four passes for 43 yards. In the past six outings, he has failed to register 50 yards or find the end zone. While Moncrief led the Jaguars with seven catches for 76 yards in the loss to the Texans in Week 7, he is a risky start in the rematch with Blake Bortles back under center.
Week 16 at Miami Dolphins
With Cody Kessler throwing for just 57 yards last week versus the Redskins, it was a rough day for any of the Jaguars pass catchers. Donte Moncrief received two targets but finished without a reception. He’s been held under 50 yards in five straight, averaging only two grabs per contest during that span. Moncrief is a risky option based on how poor Jacksonville’s offense has been, recently.
Week 15 vs. Washington Redskins
Last Thursday in the loss to the Titans, Donte Moncrief was targeted 10 times, resulting in five grabs for 47 yards. The Jaguars fell behind early, which led to Cody Kessler putting the ball up 43 times. The 10 looks and five grabs for Moncrief were the most he’d had since Week 7, but he’s still scored just once in the past nine contests. Moncrief remains a WR3/flex option at home on Sunday, even versus the Redskins No. 22 pass defense.
Week 14 at Tennessee Titans
In a conservative game plan with Cody Kessler at QB last week versus Indianapolis, Donte Moncrief saw just four targets. He collected three receptions for 40 yards, as most of Kessler’s passes went for less than 10 yards. In the September loss to the Titans Moncrief was limited to only two receptions for 16 yards and makes for no more than a desperation start in the rematch on Thursday night.
Week 13 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Last week at Buffalo Donte Moncrief finished with only a 29-yard reception on four targets. While his lone grab came up just shy of the goal line it was the second straight week in which he registered one catch. A few weeks ago at Indy, he caught an 80-yard touchdown en route to a 98-yard game, but with Cody Kessler now the Jaguars QB, Moncrief makes for a risky start.
Week 12 at Buffalo Bills
With Blake Bortles throwing for only 104 yards last week versus Pittsburgh, Donte Moncrief was targeted just twice, resulting in an 11-yard reception. He posted decent numbers in the previous three contests and has been the most consistent Jaguars WR. However, on the road against the No. 1 Buffalo pass defense will likely lead to subpar numbers again.
Week 11 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Aided by an 80-yard TD reception, Donte Moncrief finished with three grabs for 98 yards last week against the Colts. It was his highest yardage total and first score since the end of September. With Leonard Fournette healthy, the Jags will continue to try to move the ball on the ground but will be facing a tough Pittsburgh run defense. Moncrief should be used as a WR3/flex play on Sunday.
