Summer Sleeper: Pittsburgh Steelers

Ty Miller

steelers

With fantasy season right around the corner, we’re continuing our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL. You can find all of the Summer Sleeper articles here.

These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.

We’ll never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” which include such such dynasty mainstay names as Toby Gerhart, Christine Michael or Cordarrelle Patterson. You’re all too good for that.

While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.

Feel free to add your own comments about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!

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LeGarrette Blount, RB

Earlier this off-season, I wrote an article highlighting some veteran free agent running backs who can still contribute for a team and have some fantasy appeal. Usually these players are written off in dynasty circles as being too old or too beat up, and that can be true, but the one free agent veteran I was really intrigued by was LeGarrette Blount. The main reason was he showed he had plenty to offer, even in a timeshare backfield. Most people will remember his big playoff game versus Indianapolis when Blount toted the ball 24 times, racking up 166 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He won a lot of money for Daily Fantasy Sports aficionados that week, but Blount’s solid 2013 statistics go deeper than that.

There is a good chance if you ask most fantasy analysts which New England running back had the best YPC (yards per carry) average in 2013, they’d tell you Shane Vereen or Stevan Ridley. It was actually LeGarrette Blount with his stout 5.05 YPC. Here is how the Patriots rushing attack looked using a comparative review.

blountchart

The number that blatantly jumps off the chart is Blount’s low reception total. He’s never been known for his receiving skills, but he wasn’t asked to be much of a receiver last year, either. Blount only has 40 career targets, so perhaps it’s not that he has a hard time catching, but he’s simply not getting much of an opportunity. In 2011, he caught 15 balls on 25 targets, which was easily the most aerial action he got in one year. Through four seasons, Blount is averaging a 57.5% catch rate. Also, Blount matched Ridley’s touchdown total with 25 less carries. That total doesn’t include the 2013 playoffs where Blount added two more end zone visits than Ridley.

Something else very interesting about Blount’s 2013 season is he was one of only three running backs with 150 touches or more to average .55 fantasy Points per Opportunity, in the entire league. The incredible Jamaal Charles led the league with his .57 FPPO, and as expected, Danny Woodhead was the third to match that accomplishment. Yes, I was surprised by that Pro Football Focus statistic, myself. Points per Opportunity measure fantasy points allotted to carries and pass routes run, which supports even further, how effective Blount was last season. He racked up those fantasy points behind the #14 ranked offensive line in New England with basically no added value in the passing game.

Offensive Line performance gets overlooked often, it seems. Poor performance and injuries can not only affect the quarterback, but the running game, too -this is what I believe happened in Pittsburgh last season. Per PFF, the Steelers offensive line ranked #15 in the league, one spot behind the New England Patriots, who suffered their own woes last year. Losing Maurkice Pouncey very early was a huge blow to the core of the line, along with Mike Adams’ sad production. The guards played well though, and with Pouncey hopefully returning, there should be great optimism around the Pittsburgh o-line. Pouncey may be in some legal trouble right now for Battery, but it’s too early to predict an outcome and how that could affect the O-Line in 2014.

Le’Veon Bell is a player who some people love while others are undecided about his outlook. He suffered a lower leg injury early on that kept him out of the first few weeks, but when he made his debut, he left smiles on a lot of owners’ faces. Now, his YPC average wasn’t anything special, but his touchdown total (eight) was impressive. Bell also has good hands, in fact, he slightly notched above Reggie Bush in his catch percentage from week four, when Bell finally played, to the end of the season. In all reality, he has upside, but Bell isn’t elite talent, regardless if he has a better O-Line this season or not. Don’t misconstrue that as me saying Bell won’t be a valuable fantasy asset, because he will be. Tempered expectations are probably the way to go about projecting Bell’s future stardom.

All of this ties together, I promise.

This offseason, the Steelers signed Blount to backup Bell. This was a great landing spot for Blount and a bit of an eyebrow raiser to Bell owners everywhere. As was pointed out earlier, Blount most likely will not cut into Bell’s receiving game, but there’s a very real chance he takes away some of those goal line carries. And that doesn’t mention what Blount is capable of between the 20s. He is not the short yardage back many presume him to be, but as he has displayed several times over the past few seasons, he can break a tackle and accumulate large chunks of yardage on any given play and occasionally will knock in a short yardage touchdown. Since Blount became a Steeler, I’ve been excited for that run game as a whole. The improvements on the line, and a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield could lead to more fantasy production for the running backs. Albeit, the ceiling may be a bit lower for Le’Veon Bell now, he should still be locked in as a safe bet for RB2 numbers and will have a better chance to stay healthy by getting some plays off. LeGarrette Blount probably won’t have much impact in the receiving game, but if he can get 10-13 touches a game, he could turn out to be nice flex option in a pinch. If Bell were to go down with injury (like he did last season), Blount has RB2 potential.

Overall, the Steelers are in much better shape this year in the health department, if nothing else. Tight end Heath Miller is 100% and that offensive line should maul opposing defensive lines. Bell will be the undoubted starter and will have a major role in the passing game. Blount is a solid, serviceable backup with the ability to step in as the starter if called upon. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Blount finish the 2014 season with more touchdowns than Bell, although he’ll most likely have fewer total touches, receptions and yards. According to July Dynasty Average Draft Position (ADP) information gathered by our own Ryan McDowell, Le’Veon Bell is being drafted as the RB7 and LeGarrette Blount is the RB76. In redraft, Bell’s ADP shows him going as the #16 overall pick, while Blount is slotted at #180. There is no reason to believe you can’t acquire both of these players. Blount is more of an afterthought to most fantasy circles, but he shouldn’t be.

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