Pittsburgh Steelers 2010: Fantasy Football Preview

The Rooneys are none too thrilled that Big Ben has been leading a lifestyle that could get him cast in Old School Two.

It's obvious the 28-year-old accomplished signal caller has serious maturity issues, namely that he has no maturity and no class.  He also  appears more dedicated to improving his beer bong talent in the offseason than his leadership or football skills.  

Commish Goodell rules with an iron fist and leveled a six game suspension to Roethlisberger that many expect will be reduced to four games for good behavior (memo to Ben, that doesn't include buying kegs for sorority mixers). 

This has to be embarrassing for a franchise that has prided itself on being a clean team dedicated to making its honest, working class fans proud.  

Regardless of his indiscretions,  fantasy owners should not forget that the Steelers QB had a fine season in 2009, finishing as the ninth best fantasy QB, with 4,300 yards, 26 TDs and 12 interceptions.  

The loss of leading WR and fellow knucklehead-blight-on-the-Steelers-good-name Santonio Holmes is cause for concern. Mike Wallace, however, seems prepared to step into a starting role.  He led the league in yards per catch (19.4) and should be able to fill much of the void left by the former Super Bowl MVP.  

Hines Ward, roughly 84 years of age—but that is unsubstantiated—enters his 12th NFL season.  I caution owners not to sleep on him because of his age.  Ward has topped 1,000 yards the past two seasons and will be a reliable safety valve for Byron Leftwich or Dennis Dixon during the first month of the season.  Ward may be slowing, but he makes up for any sign of a lost step with wisdom that comes with being a hard working student of the game.

Many are expecting a breakout season for RB Rashard Mendenhall in 2010.

With formerly fast Willie Parker now in Washington as part of the three-headed washed up monster the Skins call a backfield and we call a geriatric ward, Mendenhall will have little competition for carries and receptions out of the backfield.  

Furthermore,  a backup QB will be under center for at least the first month the season, and the organization is making noise about returning to a more Steeler-like smash mouth brand of football.  All signs point to Mendenhall as the focal point of the offense for at least the early going.  If that Mendenhall-centric offense equates to success (perhaps making a starting QB like Roethisberger less necessary), the former Illinois back could be a top six fantasy football back.  

After taking over the starting  job in Week Four, Mendenhall averaged an impressive 4.6 yards per carry with eight all-purpose TDs and a grand total of 1,369 yards.  His current ADP has him as the eighth RB (13th overall) and he could see 20-25 carries a game with limited competition.  

The talented back is in an ideal situation to produce as a fantasy RB1 in his third season in the NFL.  One word of caution is the offensive line recently lost RT Willie Colon for the year due to an Achilles injury.  The line was not a great one prior to the injury and could pose problems.

From a fantasy perspective, the Steelers defense was disappointing in 2009 as it played shorthanded following major injuries to Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith.  The former fixture at the top of fantasy defensive rankings finished outside the top 15 in fantasy points scored after posting 46 sacks, 12 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries and only three touchdowns.

A bounce-back season is in order for the Steel Curtain and as an added bonus they upgraded their special teams with the offseason additions of Antwaan Randle El and Arnaz Battle.

FANTASY FOOTBALL SPIN

Overvalued:

WR Hines Ward (ADP 66 / WR26) - Hines has been as reliable as they come but the upside is limited as he enters his 12th NFL season.  The loss of Santonio Holmes could result in defenses deciding to roll their No. 1 CB to Ward until second year WR Mike Wallace proves himself.  

In 2009, Ward played in all 16 games and caught an impressive 95 passes for 1,167 yards.  The Steelers will likely focus more on the running game in 2010, which will limit Ward's upside as he won't be able to rack up enough receptions to produce the same yardage totals that he enjoyed in 2008/2009.  Ward should be a good WR3 but based on his 2009 stats and name recognition another owner will likely reach for him too early.

Undervalued:

WR Mike Wallace (ADP 76 / WR30) - Which receiver led the league in yards per catch?   That's right, it was the Steelers receiver that shares a name with the former host of 60 Minutes . 

In his rookie season, Wallace produced an impressive stat line while lining up primarily in the slot.  He hauled in 39 catches for 756 yards and six touchdowns, and remains one of the league's most promising emerging downfield threats. 

The University of Mississippi speedster should see his catch totals soar in his second season, as he'll become an integral part of the passing game as the Steelers No. 2 WR.  Wallace amassed impressive yardage totals while only topping four catches once in 16 games.  

He has the skill set to become as a low end WR2/high end WR3 based on his ability to score from anywhere on the field.

Fantasy Strategy:

Ben Roethlisberger (ADP 120/QB16) - Without a suspension Big Ben would be drafted well before this spot and in leagues of 12 teams or larger he would be drafted as a starter.  

You are in the unique situation where you can get him in the 10th round or later.  One strategy that I am considering is loading up on running backs and wide receivers and taking two quarterbacks between the ninth and 11th rounds.  You could come out of the draft with Ben and Alex Smith (ADP 131) or Matt Staford (128).  

This strategy may give you a leg up over opponents taking Kevin Kolb or Brett Favre in the sixth round since you can land a player that could be a starter (like Ward) or give you depth (like Marion Barber, ADP 70).

Heath Miller (ADP 157/TE17) - The veteran TE is entering his sixth season and coming off his best season by far.  If you miss out on the top tier tight ends (generally going in the fifth and sixth rounds) Miller might be a nice option in the 12th or 13th round.  

He is unlikely to duplicate his 2009 production of 76 receptions, 789 yards, and six TDs, but we are high on Miller as a No. 2 TE and having him as a No. 1 would not be a disaster considering he has upside.  

Additionally, if he has very little production over the first few weeks playing with a backup QB, take advantage of his low value to acquire him in a trade expecting that Ben will utilize him more.