Fantasy Football Player Notes

After averaging 73 receptions, 1,054 yards and eight touchdowns per year over six seasons in Seattle, D.K. Metcalf heads to Pittsburgh, where he'll be Aaron Rodgers' undisputed lead receiver following the Steelers' offseason trade of George Pickens. The question is how well Rodgers and Metcalf will mesh, and how well Metcalf will fit into Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system. It seems reasonable to expect midrange to low-end WR2 numbers for the 27-year-old Metcalf, although that could be a conservative expectation.

Adam Thielen proved last year that he still has something left in the tank. In the nine games last year that he played at least 58% of the snaps, he drew a 19.7% target share while averaging 63.9 receiving yards per game with 2.08 yards per route run with a 25.8% first-read share and 0.094 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Down the stretch (Weeks 12-18), when Bryce Young was revitalized, Thielen was the WR21 in fantasy points per game. Thielen isn't dust. Not even close. Last year, among 112 qualifying receivers, he ranked 26th in separation and 53rd in route win rate. With the move to Minnesota, Thielen's season-long value takes a hit as he's likely the third or fourth option in the passing attack, but he's a strong add in managed leagues if you're drafting Jordan Addison or Rashee Rice. He'll get a bump in the first three games of the season with Addison out, which is good enough for him to patch a lineup in the flex for half of Rice's suspension. Thielen should be a solid flex option to open the season before turning into a decent bye week flex streaming option once Addison is back.