Week 9 vs Cowboys
Conner has to be salivating for this matchup against the league's worst run defense. Doug Pederson, for whatever reason, didn't give Boston Scott a ton of work against the Cowboys. Mike Tomlin probably won't make that mistake with Conner and that's why he's a top-five running back option this week in fantasy. He very well is set for his fourth 100-yard rushing day.
Week 8 vs Ravens
Conner's touchdown streak came to an end in Week 7, but he still cracked 100 total yards for the fourth time this season. Conner missed the Week 17 game against the Ravens last season but scored in the previous two games with Baltimore. Good chance he does so again this time around as Pittsburgh tries to build some separation in the AFC North.
Week 7 vs Titans
Conner helped the Steelers control their Week 6 game against the Browns with 20 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. It was his third 100-yard game of the season and fourth straight game with a touchdown. Tennessee is also allowing 137 rushing yards per game and four rushing touchdowns. It's a good bet that Conner continues 100 yards and/or a touchdown.
Week 6 vs Browns
Conner has now scored in three straight games, though his streak of back to back 100-yard games came to an end against the Eagles. Cleveland has been pretty tough against opposing running backs, but Conner is enough of a strong back that he's still a good play in what has become a huge AFC North showdown in Week 6.
Week 5 vs Eagles
James Conner has taken back complete control of the Steelers' backfield. He has lines of 16-106-1 and 18-109-1 in his last two games before the unexpected bye week. Conner also say his highest number of passing targets in Week 3 with five and caught four of them for 40 yards. Conner sits just outside the top 12 this week at No. 14 among running backs. The Eagles are also in the bottom half of fantasy points per game allowed to running backs.
Week 3 vs Texans
Looks like the injury didn't bother Conner as much as we initially thought. He only went out and rushed 16 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. Conner saw 50 snaps in Week 2, Benny Snell saw ten. This backfield belongs to Conner. Houston has also been among the teams allowing the most points to fantasy running backs (propped up by Clyde Edwards-Helaire's big debut). Conner is back in RB2 territory as our RB15 this week.
Week 2 vs Broncos
The injury concerns already reared their ugly heads with James Conner. He left Monday's win over the Giants with an ankle injury. He missed practice Wednesday but did return to practice in full Thursday, which is a good sign. Watch for the injury report from Pittsburgh on Friday but Conner now stands to lose work to Benny Snell, who had a very fine day off the bench against the Giants. The running back situation in Pittsburgh has already become clogged. Conner is our RB49 this week.
Head coach Mike Tomlin recently gave a vote of confidence for James Conner, saying "there is no question about who our bell cow is. It's James Conner and he's our primary toter." The Steelers will sprinkle in Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland and Jaylen Samuels, but this is Conner's job again. He is our No. 13 back this week and the only Steelers running back inside our top 50.
Fantasy Upside
Conner looks to be over the injuries than messed up his 2019 season and led to a 33rd-place finish among running games. That's good news as Conner is clearly the leader in what will be a bunched Steelers backfield in 2019. He should see the most opportunity among the running backs and could return to his RB1 status this season.
Fantasy Downside
As mentioned before, Pittsburgh's backfield is quite crowded. Benny Snell Jr., Jaylen Samuels, Trey Edmunds and rookie Anthony McFarland all have a chance to be in the mix. Game scripts could lead to some combination of these backs (and even fullback Derek Watt) getting work during games and lowering the ceiling of Conner. The nine missed games in two seasons will also raise some eyebrows.
2020 Bottom Line
Conner currently holds a fourth-round ADP in 12-team leagues and is our current RB17. Durability is a concern, but if healthy, Conner has shown he can run with some of the other top running backs in fantasy. As John Paulsen notes: "The Steelers are still referring to Conner as their lead back, and when he’s been healthy, he has averaged 18.3 touches for 95 yards and 0.87 touchdowns. The resulting 16.4 PPG (half-PPR) would have tied Austin Ekeler for the seventh-highest average at his position last season. Conner hasn’t proven that he can stay healthy, missing nine games over the last two seasons, so owners should handcuff Benny Snell, if possible."
Week 16 at New York Jets
James Conner returned last week, playing 58 percent (24 snaps) of the offensive snaps and carrying the ball eight times for 42 yards and catching four passes for nine yards and a score. The touchdown was his team-high seventh in just nine games this season, so he's been a pretty consistent scorer. The Jets allow just 3.3 yards per carry, but have given up 82 running back receptions, allowing 13 total touchdowns to the position. Conner should excel in the passing game and is the Steelers' best bet to score. He's a solid RB2 play this week.
