Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTIncluded Columnist IVMarch 13, 2024
Jane Gershovich/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded experienced wideout Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round choice to the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday in exchange for protective back Donte Jackson and a sixth-rounder, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Johnson has actually been a huge part of the group's offense in current seasons and was a strong dream choice in both 2020 (88 catches for 923 backyards and 7 ratings) and 2021 (107 catches for 1,161 lawns and 8 goals), though the previous 2 years he's fallen off because regard.
How will Tuesday's trade effect the group's other possibly fantasy-relevant gamers, consisting of brand-new quarterback Russell Wilson and wideout George Pickens?
You most likely do not wish to prepare Wilson as a beginning alternative at this moment. He completed 14th amongst quarterbacks in dream points last season, publishing simply 3 video games above 20 dream points in standard-scoring leagues. He was even worse in 2022, completing 16th.
And while the Steelers might include more playmakers this offseason, particularly in the draft, he isn't precisely signing up with an explosive offense.
Mike Clay @MikeClayNFL
Steelers WRs (and not exactly sure an Arthur Smith offense will make WR2 a top priority): > George Pickens> Calvin Austin III> Marquez Callaway> Denzel Mims> Dez Fitzpatrick> Keilahn Harris> Duece Watts
Wilson is difficult to trust at this moment, and brand-new offending organizer Arthur Smith isn't precisely popular for increasing the dream worth of his skill-position gamers. Continue with care.
There's a bit more optimism for gamers like Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth.
The previous played effectively last season when Johnson wasn't readily available:
Dream Life @MBFantasyLife
George Pickens in 4 video games without Diontae Johnson last season: > 4-127-1> 4-75-0> 3-25-0> 6-130-1
Scott Barrett @ScottBarrettDFB
From Weeks 2-7, while Diontae Johnson was handling injury … > George Pickens ranked: >+ top-12 in target share>+ top-10 in first-read target share>+ top-7 in backyards per path run>+ top-7 in lawns per target over expectation>+ top-3 in backyards after the catch per reception
Moody @EricNMoody
George Pickens strolling into the 2024 NFL routine season with Diontae Johnson now with the Carolina Panthers: > pic.twitter.com/VbMlEOM86r
Michael Fabiano @Michael_Fabiano
The dream football worth of George Pickens … > pic.twitter.com/nYEkri2xxj
And while its doubtful just how much Wilson has actually left in the tank, he's still an upgrade over the group's quarterbacks from last season.
Freiermuth, on the other hand, need to get a bump in use offered the general absence of skill somewhere else in the death video game, though Pittsburgh focusing on wideout at the draft might alter that mathematics.
Nobody ever states that Pat Freiermuth isn't a great tight end. It's been his scenario that is the issue for dream football. > The Diontae Johnson trade + Russell Wilson finalizing might lastly develop the conditions we require for the Muth breakout season!
This most likely isn't an offense that is going to result in elite dream production.
