RADIO
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation has a huge effect on the fantasy value of the wide receivers. Ben Roethlisberger is traveling with the team to Kansas City for Sunday’s game but is not expected to play. Roethlisberger is officially listed as questionable but the expectations are that backup Landry Jones will serve the starting quarterback against the Chiefs.
Jones replaced Michael Vick last week and looked serviceable. The biggest benefactor of Jones at quarterback was wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Those of us that drafted him late or stashed him on our rosters are ecstatic after he made his return from a four game suspension last week. Showing great chemistry with Jones, Bryant made six receptions on eight targets with 137 yards and two touchdown scores. The Kansas City Chiefs defense have given up the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers all season and this makes Bryant a must start. With a cheap price in daily and a WR3 in traditional fantasy, Bryant will see production regardless of the quarterback. If Big Ben can suit up, the matchup should provide great value for two wide receivers. If Jones is the starter, Bryant should be his main target after their success together last week.
The tricky part of this equation is Antonio Brown. Fantasy owners are looking for home remedies to repair Roethlisberger’s knee in time for this week’s game. Brown has tanked in fantasy without Big Ben at quarterback. After a streak of thirty-five consecutive games with at least five receptions and fifty yards, Brown has failed to reach those numbers in all three games without Roethlisberger. Brown only caught three receptions for 24 yards last week with Jones at the quarterback position. It’s become clear we will endure fantasy heartbreak until Brown is reunited with Roethlisberger. The stud wide receiver has his best matchup of the season and he’s still extremely talented so you’ll likely be forced to start him if you drafted him. A surprise Roethlisberger return would make Brown a top three overall wide receiver play this week and a tremendous daily pick but instead, you’ll likely be forced to hold your breath with Jones throwing the ball.
If Jones starts as expected, Bryant is the guy you’re targeting as one of the top values on the board this week. If Roethlisberger returns, Brown is the top play in Pittsburgh but Bryant is still worth going after. The best news is Big Ben making progress this week means he will be back next week at the latest. Let’s all get an Antonio Brown celebration cake and meet back next Sunday when the Steelers become less risky fantasy options and take away our stress.
