Week 4 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Vance McDonald is expected to play at least a handful of snaps this week after leaving last week's game at San Francisco early with a shoulder injury. He had one catch for 10 yards on two targets before leaving early in the second quarter. Check his status Saturday before putting him in the lineup and maybe even have Nick Vannett ready to go if that's your play. If McDonald plays, he'll be on the field for passing downs, which is what you want, anyway.
Week 3 at San Francisco 49ers
One player who didn't get hurt by Ben Roethlisberger getting hurt was Vance McDonald, who caught both of his touchdown passes last week from Mason Rudolph. McDonald finished with seven receptions -- on seven targets -- for 38 yards and the two scores. Look for more passes to the tight end to help Rudolph stay settled in. He remains a nice low-end TE1 play.
Week 2 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Vance McDonald was targeted just four times last week and finished with two receptions for 40 yards against the Patriots. But he did play 70% of the snaps, which was a plus. Seattle allowed nine receptions to Cincinnati's tight ends last week, so McDonald could find himself used more this week. He's a TE1 play this week.
Week 1 at New England
As I reported a few weeks ago, the Steelers don't want McDonald being a full-time player who sees 60 snaps per game. But if he's on the field for 30 to 35 snaps, they're going to use him. He got just three targets and two catches for 13 yards against the Patriots last season, but one of those catches went for a touchdown. Look for the Steelers to try to get McDonald the ball a little more often in this game. He's a low-end TE1 play this week.
Fantasy Upside
Vance McDonald got a career-high 72 targets in 2018 and produced career-high numbers across the board with 50 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns. He also appeared in 15 games for the first time since his rookie season in 2013, which helped. McDonald is the unquestioned No. 1 tight end for the Steelers and could even see his target load increase even more in 2019 with backup Jesse James now with the Lions and star receiver Antonio Brown in Oakland.
Fantasy Downside
The only downside with McDonald is his health. He's never played a full season thanks to his aggressive run-after-the-catch style.
2019 Bottom Line
McDonald is a nice sleeper pick at the tight end position this year. He led all tight ends in YAC last season and should see his role increase in 2019. It wouldn't be surprising to see him catch 60-plus passes, which would put him in starting tight end consideration in all fantasy leagues. He doesn't have the upside of some other tight ends thanks to his injury history and the fact the Steelers will spread the ball around a little more, but he's not a bad consolation prize in Round 7, which is where his current ADP places him.
Week 17 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Vance McDonald had just one reception last week, but it went for a 49-yard gain. He also was targeted in the end zone with another pass, so it could have been a pretty productive week. Now, he faces a Cincinnati defense that has given up 10 TD catches to the tight end position this season. And he had seven receptions for 68 yards in their earlier meeting. McDonald should be a borderline TE1 play this week.
Week 16 at New Orleans Saints
Vance McDonald caught just two passes for 13 yards last week but did get into the end zone for the fourth time this season. He's been more of a low-end TE1 only when the matchup has been in his favor and that's not the case this week, even though the Saints have given up three touchdowns to tight ends in the past two games. They've given up just four tight end scores all season, so it would be a roll of the dice to expect McDonald to get into the end zone and make him a salvageable play.
Week 15 vs. New England Patriots
Vance McDonald had four receptions for 37 yards last week but continues to split reps with Jesse James, which hurts his overall production, even in some good matchups. This is another one this week against a New England defense that has given up seven touchdowns to opposing tight ends. McDonald is a low-end No. 1 TE play this week, though he's much more comfortably a TE2.
Week 14 at Oakland Raiders
Vance McDonald has been slowed a bit in recent weeks, catching no more than four passes in a game since Week 6. But considering the Raiders just allowed Kansas City's tight ends to go off for 15 catches for 207 yards and three scores last week, it's understandable to take a look at McDonald as a starter this week. He won't get that kind of volume, but Oakland has allowed nine touchdown passes to the tight end position since Week 4. McDonald could be useful as a low-end TE1 play.
Week 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Vance McDonald had just three catches for 27 yards last week, going in and out of the game with a hip injury throughout the game. He's expected to play this week but faces a tough task with a Chargers defense that is playing well against opposing tight ends this season. Given that, McDonald's injury and his usage of late, don't expect a big game from him. He's nothing more than a mid-level TE2 this week.
