DK Metcalf Week 2 Outlook - Steelers at Patriots

By Derek Brown (FantasyPros), Thu, Sep 17th 2026, 1:35pm EDT

Well, the process was right with D.K. Metcalf for Week 1, but it didn't work out. Atlanta heavily utilized single high just like I knew they would (67.4%), and Metcalf saw a 24.4% target share and 39.1% first-read share, but he fell flat with only four receptions and 40 receiving yards (0.98 YPRR). We're going back to the well this week with Metcalf against a Pats defense that utilized single high with 55.6% of their defensive snaps in Week 1. Metcalf could see shadow coverage from Christian Gonzalez in Week 2. Gonzalez followed Jaxon Smith-Njigba on 65.4% of his routes in Week 1, but Smith-Njigba roasted him, securing six of his nine targets with 103 receiving yards and a score. Metcalf isn't the same tier of receiver as Smith-Njigba, so I don't see him having the same success in Week 2. Last year, Gonzalez followed Emeka Egbuka, Jerry Jeudy, Tee Higgins, and Darius Slayton on at least 60% of their routes, and only Egbuka surpassed 30 receiving yards in his coverage (only Slayton had a receiving touchdown). I expect Metcalf to get featured again this week, but I struggle to see him popping off with a massive week.