DKMetcalf

News: 6 days agoMetcalf caught four of nine targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Patriots.

Spin: Metcalf led the Steelers in targets again but put forth a second consecutive inefficient outing after turning 10 targets into just four catches for 40 yards in the season opener against the Falcons. Rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard led the team with 35 receiving yards Sunday in the absence of Michael Pittman (foot) as Aaron Rodgers threw for just 187 yards on 4.8 yards per pass attempt. Metcalf's heavy volume from Rodgers is encouraging, but Pittsburgh's passing game has underwhelmed as a whole heading into a Week 3 home game against the Bengals.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Metcalf returns for Year 2 in Pittsburgh after a solid but unspectacular debut season. The ex-Seahawk missed two games and finished outside the top 20 receivers in targets, catches and yardage (career-low 850), but still did just enough to produce a 21st-place finish in fantasy PPG (his fifth top-25 in his last six seasons). Metcalf soaked up 11 end zone targets and is up to 107 for his career, which leads the NFL since his debut in 2019. The 28-year-old has added target competition this season in the form of Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard, so while he'll certainly remain busy, a slight dip in usage is probable. Metcalf should be valued as a back-end WR3.