By Matt Sabuda – Guest Contributor
If you\’re among the Steeler fans who thinks you can predict who will make the most of their opportunities on #PittPreseasonGM at www.poundff.com, here\’s some week two analysis and predictions to help guide your fantasy front office.
QB – Bruce Gradkowski – By far the safest choice as Ben Roethlisberger is again likely to see limited reps giving Gradkowski plenty of opportunities with the 1\’s and 2\’s. The GM sleeper who has the potential to make the most of his opportunities is John Parker Wilson. With the third preseason game generally reserved as a thorough tune-up for the 1\’s and 2\’s, this will likely be Wilson\’s last opportunity to make a bid for a roster spot not only in Pittsburgh, but throughout the league. Landry Jones being a rookie roster lock, it\’s not an understatement to suggest that Wilson is playing a contract game Monday night.
RB – Jonathan Dwyer, LaRod Stephens-Howling – With Le\’Veon Bell and Isaac Redman likely either out or limited for Monday, this will be Dwyer\’s best chance to shine. Running back\’s coach Kirby Wilson seems to like Dwyer which could lead to plenty of opportunities come Monday. The other side of the RB coin is Stephens-Howling. He\’s likely to see the most opportunities on Monday to solidify his roster spot. In an anemic offensive showing against the New York Giants, Stephens-Howling made the most of his chances with 5.7 yds/carry on 7 carries.
WR – Markus Wheaton, J.D. Woods – Wheaton is likely to get an extended look from coaches who are looking to see where he sits in the pecking order with Plaxico Burress now out. He\’s a safe choice for anyone playing GM. Woods is riskier but has the potential to give a real breakout performance. He\’s not only fighting for a roster spot, but if you\’re all-in on finding sleepers, he\’s likely to be the go-to receiver for our sleeper QB Wilson. To learn more about the utility knife potential of Woods, check out Dave Bryan\’s breakdown. https://steelersdepot.com/2013/08/steelers-rookie-wr-j-d-woods-animated-gifs-preseason-giants/
TE – David Paulson – Not wanting to beat a dead & decomposing horse, I won\’t get into the debate over whether or not the Steelers should bring in another seasoned tight end. It doesn\’t look like they will and they don\’t seem very open to providing any real chances for fringe guys to make a name. Another reason this position isn\’t one to be cute with on your GM roster is that our sleeper QB Wilson is unlikely to have much chemistry with the fringe guys should they even make it on the field later in the game. Stick with Paulson.
K – Shaun Suisham – Hate to end on the ultimate in anticlimactic fantasy position choices, but competing against no one really helps Suisham.
Find the right mix of diamonds in the rough and stars to see if you have what it takes to be the #PittPreseasonGM at www.poundff.com. Remember, total fantasy scores are divided by player opportunities. You\’ll want not only production, but efficiency as well. Make preseason more exciting and throw your hat in the ring.
