RADIO
Is it possible for one team to have two true elite fantasy wide receivers? The Pittsburgh Steelers are certainly making the case for it with the stellar production by Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant. The dynamic duo are the only pair of wide receivers averaging more than fifteen standard fantasy points per game. We all know Brown is an obvious WR1 and likely the best at the position in fantasy but the question is if Bryant has also become a WR1 despite being the second best on his own team.
The numbers back up Bryant being a must-start, elite fantasy wide receiver. Aside from his teammate, no wide receiver is averaging more fantasy points per game than Bryant. Since returning from suspension, Bryant has delivered 100 receiving yards and/or a touchdown in six of seven games. The general narrative is that he’s a WR2 due to his boom-or-bust potential, but he’s showed consistency this season and deserves respect for it. Ben Roethlisberger is spreading the ball across the field and the Steelers have one of the best offenses in the NFL, meaning Bryant will continue to get plenty of targets and opportunities. This gives him a higher floor, but it also makes his ceiling rise. Pittsburgh is fighting in a tough battle for a wild card playoff spot and will need to rely on Big Ben to work his magic in the passing game.
The important reasons for valuing Bryant as a WR1 are his daily fantasy salary and upcoming matchup fears. Bryant is still priced fairly cheap in daily fantasy for his production and has become a near must-start in cash games. A player with Bryant’s numbers and talent should be more expensive than he is in most daily fantasy formats.
For traditional fantasy, Bryant will be facing a couple of tough opponents over the next two weeks. Week 14 will see the Steelers visit the Cincinnati Bengals and Week 15 will see them travel to battle the elite Denver Broncos defense. However, Bryant has been performing like a WR1 and you have to put your faith in him continuing the trend. You have to start your stud over a mediocre waiver wire pickup with a potentially good matchup. Pittsburgh’s offense and the talent of Bryant has seen him blossom into a WR1, and it’s time to start treating him like one.
