Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson will face off against his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, in Week 1. Jefferson has flashed potential since entering the league in 2020 and begins his fifth professional season with an opportunity to become the WR2 in Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old impressed throughout camp and drew praise from the Steelers' coaching staff all summer. Unfortunately, he'll have his work cut out for him on Sunday against a Falcons defense that limited wideouts to the sixth-fewest fantasy points in the NFL last season. Jefferson's role in new play-caller Arthur Smith's offense is worth monitoring but he is best left on fantasy waiver wires for now.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told the media that he "can't say enough" about the consistency exhibited by wide receivers Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller this summer. Both receivers were new additions this offseason and appear to have earned some praise from the coaching staff. Jefferson caught 20 passes for 209 yards last year while Miller tallied 11 catches, 161 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. It's unclear exactly what role they will have in 2024, but Tomlin's praise gives them some extra credibility and favor as the Steelers sort through their depth behind George Pickens. With that said, they can both be avoided in fantasy football for the time being.

From RotoBaller

After signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency this offseason, he is in pole position to start the 2024 season as the No. 2 wideout behind George Pickens. Jefferson showed flashes of being able to handle that role in 2021 with 50 catches and 802 yards with the Los Angeles Rams, but he hasn't done much since then, which is concerning. The 27-year-old also didn't really stand out at all during offseason workouts, so he'll need to show more in training camp and the preseason to stick as the No. 2 as he competes mainly with Calvin Austin III and third-round rookie Roman Wilson. In 17 games (nine starts) with the Rams and Atlanta Falcons in 2023, Jefferson had just 20 receptions on 43 targets for 209 yards and no touchdowns. Even if he does win the WR2 job to open the year, Jefferson can probably be left to the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed wide receiver Van Jefferson to stand out during offseason workouts, but he didn't. Spring practices typically don't mean a ton, but nothing has jumped out to suggest that Jefferson can be a difference-maker in 2024 with both Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson II now out of town. Outside of George Pickens, there is a lot of opportunity in the Steelers' receivers room, but it looks like Jefferson hasn't really seized a role. As we head to training camp at the end of July, Jefferson will be competing with Calvin Austin II, rookie Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller and Quez Watkins for a role in the passing game in his first year in Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old had 20 receptions for only 209 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts) with the Falcons and Rams in 2023 and will be a long shot for fantasy relevance outside of very deep leagues as receiver depth.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract to join the organization this offseason, and Mark Kaboly of the Athletic said he looks like the team's No. 2 wide receiver after OTAs. After moving on from Diontae Johnson, third-year wideout George Pickens is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver, but the depth chart behind him is weak on paper. Rookie Roman Wilson and veterans Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller are also likely to compete for targets behind Pickens, but Jefferson could have more fantasy football value than expected. The former second-round pick out of Florida has tallied 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns in 61 games with the Rams and Atlanta Falcons. The Pittsburgh offense is tough to navigate for fantasy football in 2024, especially since many expect Russell Wilson to eventually be benched for Justin Fields. Ultimately, fantasy managers in shallow setups should likely opt to focus on acquiring Pickens or tight end Pat Freiermuth and the Steelers' running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the offense will likely remain a run-heavy attack.

From RotoBaller