Despite early offseason chatter about a potentially wide open offense in Pittsburgh, training camp reports indicate the offense will stay run-heavy, nerfing Germie Bernard‘s rookie year upside. Regardless of the offense’s identity, Bernard has remained parked behind Metcalf, Pittman, and Roman Wilson and will struggle to post a meaningful Target Share in Year 1.
Given his camp struggles, Bernard projects to be useless in redraft. He is also a dynasty league falling knife that will continue to leak lifetime value for the foreseeable future.
Michael Pittman exited practice with a leg injury Saturday and was talking to trainers after leaving the field, and the staff were focused on his right leg. Pittman remained sidelined Monday, with head coach Mike McCarthy offering no timeline for his return. Pittman commanded a 91.1-percent Snap Share and a 21.0-percent Target Share last season, leaving a significant projected target share in question if the issue lingers.
Fantasy managers must track upcoming practice participation to gauge whether his early-season workload is in actual jeopardy. We are considering the injury minor for the time being, and Pittman is PlayerProfiler’s WR36 in fantasy football redraft league formats.
Third-year wideout Roman Wilson—boasting a 40.0% College Dominator Rating with an underwhelming 22.2 Breakout Age at Michigan—is flashing speed and quickness and dominating early targets from quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh training camp. Wilson commanded primary WR3 reps ahead of second-round rookie Germie Bernard, operating behind veteran starters DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
Coming off a 2025 campaign where he managed a meager 13.4% Target Rate and 33.6% Snap Share across 13 games, Wilson remains a low-volume option unlikely to command enough target share to matter in 12-team redraft or best ball fantasy leagues. However, Wilson is now an attractive back-of-the-roster stash in dynasty leagues with Pittman and Metcalf both past the age apex.
The Pittsburgh Steelers just secured another WR at No. 47 by drafting Germie Bernard, a versatile separator who pairs a rock-solid 21.8 Breakout Age with the elite short-area quickness verified by a scorching 6.71-second Three-Cone Drill (87th-percentile). Bernard had a 23.4% College Dominator Rating and an elite 9.03 Relative Athletic Score, proving he has the frame and explosiveness to operate in a “Power Slot” role while maintaining a clinical 1.5% Drop Rate.
In dynasty formats, Bernard is now squarely in the second-round conversation of rookie drafts as the potential WR3 for the Steelers behind DK Metcalf and newly acquired Michael Pittman catching balls from QB Aaron Rodgers.
Indianapolis Colts’ new quarterback Daniel Jones led the team to victory and helped snap the NFL’s longest active opening day winless streak at eleven. Jones ran for two touchdowns as well as throwing another to veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. He was effective and consistent on Sunday, throwing for 272 yards and rushing for another twenty-six. “I think we played well as a team. It’s a good start. I think we feel good about the start. But I think everyone on our team is mature enough to know we have to continue to grow and improve, and I think that’s the mindset of our team now.” Jones stated post-game.
Many questioned who would be the starter heading into the season, but it was Jones beating out Anthony Richardson. The Colts’ primary beneficiaries on Sunday were Michael Pittman Jr, who finished the day with eight catches, 60 yards and a score, as well as rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who had seven receptions for 76 yards. Both players are early winners for fantasy, as there was much uncertainty about this team being able to produce points. The Colts know there is a lot of work to be done heading into week two against a tough Denver Broncos team, but if Jones can stay poised like he did against the Dolphins, look for more fantasy relevance from this team.
Author: Dane Madoche(@FF_DaMaddog)
A lot of factors went into Michael Pittman’s regression this past season: Anthony Richardson took a step back as a passer, backup quarterback play was significantly worse, the rise of Josh Downs as the Colts new alpha and now news that Pittman chose to play through a back injury. Pittman had his lowest receptions, yards and touchdowns since his rookie year (69-808-3), but I’m not convinced things would be all that much better if he played fully healthy.
While Pittman is evaluating offseason surgery to address the back issue, projecting a big bounce back for him next year is difficult. He will be turning 28 mid-season, and while he could still have a good year or two, his Dynasty value is on the decline and unlikely to rise. Too many things would have to go right for those looking to buy low and profit. Lets hope he is able to recover fully and not have to play through pain next season.
Author: Lukasz Stec (@Lukasz_FF01)
