Fantasy Football Player Notes
2026 Half PPR Draft Rankings
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72.
Jaylen Warren
RB - (at BAL)
Last season, Jaylen Warren had arguably his most productive season for fantasy purposes as the RB18 in fantasy points per game. He was his usual incredibly efficient self on a per-touch basis. In 2025, Warren ranked sixth in missed tackle rate, ninth in yards after contact per attempt, 12th in rushing success rate, third in yards per route run, and seventh in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). He set career highs in carries (211), rushing yards (958), and total touchdowns (eight). Kenneth Gainwell moved on from Pittsburgh in the offseason, but Mike McCarthy brought in his favorite son, Rico Dowdle. Warren's role for Pittsburgh has evolved over the years from preferred passing down back to lead back, but his role could be in flux in 2026 with the arrival of a new head coach and backfield mate. Warren could still return RB2 value this season, but there's more risk in his 2026 projection than many will be able to admit.
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80.
DK Metcalf
WR - (at BAL)
Yes, D.K. Metcalf finished as the WR19 in fantasy points per game last year, but if you rostered him last season, you know that it wasn't nearly that glorious to trot him out in your lineup weekly. In nine of his 15 games played, he was outside the top 24 receivers in weekly scoring. Last year, among 109 qualifying receivers, Metcalf ranked 24th in target share (21.1%), 26th in receiving yards per game (56.7), 25th in yards per route run (1.98), 20th in first-read share (27.7%), and 37th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Metcalf will still be operating as Pittsburgh's WR1 (most likely), but he has stiffer target competition with Michael Pittman Jr. added this offseason. He's best viewed as a WR3 with some upside. I won't be going out of my way to draft Metcalf this year, but if he slips past ADP, then he becomes intriguing.
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81.
Rico Dowdle
RB - (at BAL)
Rico Dowdle did it again last season. Dowdle fought to get to the top of the Carolina running back depth chart as he wrestled the starting job away from Chuba Hubbard. In Weeks 5-18, Dowdle averaged 18.6 touches and 87.7 total yards as the RB10 in fantasy points per game. Dowdle also excelled last season on the ground and in the receiving game. He ranked 23rd in explosive run rate, 17th in missed tackle rate, tenth in yards after contact per attempt, 17th in yards per route run, and 16th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). After that strong season, Dowdle now finds himself reunited with Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh as a backfield complement to Jaylen Warren. The division of the Steelers' running back workload is up in the air for the 2026 season, but I won't count against Dowdle's ability to rise to the competition for RB1 duties. We'll likely see a committee approach for Pittsburgh this season, but Dowdle could easily return RB2 value if not strong flex value this season.
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89.
Michael Pittman Jr.
WR - (at BAL)
Michael Pittman Jr. had a tough 2025 season as he played through a back fracture and sustained a hamstring injury along the way. Pittman was still the WR26 in fantasy points per game as the Colts' go-to against two high. The back end of his 2025 season was crushed by Daniel Jones' injury. After Week 10, Pittman Jr. surpassed 40 receiving yards in a game only once. In Weeks 1-10, he was the WR9 in fantasy points per game. During that stretch, among 117 qualifying receivers, he was 23rd in target share (21%), 26th in receiving yards per game (58), 33rd in yards per route run (1.90), 31st in first-read share (24.5%), and 15th in first downs per route run (0.114, per Fantasy Points Data). Pittman Jr. isn't the sexiest pick in fantasy football drafts in 2026, but he could return solid value in PPR formats as Aaron Rodgers' underneath chain mover.
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199.
Aaron Rodgers
QB - (at BAL)
Aaron Rodgers is only on my draft radar in Superflex formats after finishing as the QB23 in fantasy points per game last year. Rodgers had only four games last year in weekly scoring as a QB1. Among 38 qualifying quarterbacks last year, Rodgers had the tenth-fewest yards per attempt, the second-lowest aDOT, and 65.4% of his passing yards came after the catch (most among the QBs in this sample). Rodgers also had the 12th-fewest fantasy points per dropback. Even with a head coaching change and the addition of Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason, I don't see Rodgers reverting back to a top 12-15 fantasy quarterback in 2026.
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206.
Pittsburgh Steelers
DST - (at BAL)
The Steelers were the DST5 in fantasy points per game, and they could be a top-five unit again in 2026. Last year, Pittsburgh had the eighth-most interceptions, the fifth-highest rate of drives ending in a turnover, and the sixth-most sacks. They still have a stacked defensive depth chart with the ageless Cameron Heyward and a strong secondary led by Joey Porter Jr and Jamel Dean.
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208.
Pat Freiermuth
TE - (at BAL)
Pat Freiermuth was the Steelers' best pass-catching tight end last season, but that didn't mean much, as Freiermuth finished with 41 catches for 486 yards and four touchdowns. He finished TE24 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring. The Steelers' offensive coordinator last season, Arthur Smith, rotated his tight ends, and Freiermuth had a career-low 51% snap share last year. Freiermuth has topped 60 catches in three of his five NFL seasons, and he's squarely in his prime at age 27. If new Steelers head coach Mike McCathy and new offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio make Freiermuth a bigger part of the Pittsburgh offense than he was under Smith last year, the veteran tight end could surprise.
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242.
Germie Bernard
WR - (at BAL)
Germie Bernard profiles as a better real-life fit than fantasy target entering the NFL, landing behind established veterans DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. in Pittsburgh. The former Alabama receiver offers versatility, toughness, and strong YAC ability, which should help him earn snaps early, particularly from the slot. However, Year 1 fantasy expectations should remain modest given the crowded depth chart and uncertainty surrounding Pittsburgh's quarterback situation. The second-round pick feels more like a long-term depth stash than an immediate-impact rookie, although his well-rounded skill set gives him a relatively safe floor.
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261.
Chris Boswell
K - (at BAL)
Chris Boswell finished ninth in kicker fantasy scoring last year, even though he wasn't quite as accurate on field goals as usual. Boswell has posted a field goal conversion rate of better than 90% in five of the last seven years, but he was only at 84.4% last year, making 27-of-34 FG tries. Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium, formerly known as Heinz Field, has long been regarded as a tough place to kick, but Boswell has been reliable enough to stick with the Steelers for 11 seasons. The Pittsburgh offense might not be especially potent this season with 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, but new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has been accused in the past of being too willing to settle for field goals - potentially good news for Boswell stakeholders.
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296.
Kaleb Johnson
RB - (at BAL)
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321.
Darnell Washington
TE - (at BAL)
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357.
Eli Heidenreich
RB - (at BAL)
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379.
Roman Wilson
WR - (at BAL)
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531.
Jakobie Keeney-James
WR - (at BAL)
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556.
Jaheim Bell
TE - (at BAL)
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558.
Drew Allar
QB - (at BAL)
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580.
Kaden Wetjen
WR - (at BAL)
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603.
Lew Nichols III
RB - (at BAL)
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638.
Ben Skowronek
WR - (at BAL)
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707.
Travis Homer
RB - (at BAL)
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734.
Lance Mason
TE - (at BAL)
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741.
Lake McRee
TE - (at BAL)
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745.
Will Howard
QB - (at BAL)
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756.
Mason Rudolph
QB - (at BAL)
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782.
Brandon Smith
WR - (at BAL)
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832.
Laith Marjan
K - (at BAL)
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988.
Riley Nowakowski
RB,TE - (at BAL)
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