2009 Team Outlook: Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh may produce world champion football teams, but the same cannot necessarily be said for fantasy football prospects. Fantasy football-wise the Steelers seem to match the personality of the team: steady, solid, winning, but not flashy and void of huge stats. The offense doesn't usually find itself in shootouts since the Steelers boast one of the league's best defenses.

Big Ben's 2007 season where he tossed 32 TDs was probably a bit of an enigma. He came back down to earth in 2008 totaling 17 TDs and 15 INT's. With the addition of Rashard Mendenhall (he missed most of '08 season after suffering a fractured shoulder in week 4), the Steelers now have a talented between the tackles runner to go with FWP. Parker is in the final year of his contract, so Mendenhall could see a significant increase in carries this season. The two figure to form a thunder and lightning combo, the rich get richer. The passing game is also very well rounded as they can go deep to Santonio Holmes, or rely on the short passing game with the reliable possession receiver Hines Ward. Their 2008 2nd round pick Limas Sweed didn't make in impact in his rookie season, but the 6'4 wide out figures to emerge as a good red zone threat in years to come. Last but not least is the very solid over-the-middle TE Heath Miller, who averaged 36 yards/game and scored 3 TDs last season.

QB Charlie Batch, PIT - Fantasy Handcuff

Steelers re-signed QB Charlie Batch to a one-year, $895,000 contract. Batch is 34 and missed all of 2008 with a broken collarbone. He'll have to fend off rising second-year quarterback Dennis Dixon (could miss two weeks with a mild sprain of the A/C joint in his right shoulder) to back up Ben Roethlisberger. He is only an option in the deepest of leagues for those Big Ben owners that have alot of roster space.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (QB - #8) - Bust (overvalued)

Most fantasy experts predicted there was no way Roethlisberger would match his 32 touchdown passes from 2007 -- guess what, he didn't come close. The Steelers gave up the second least points in the NFL in 2008 and this offense is ball control all the way. Big Ben should be expected to throw 15-20 TDs per season, which ranks him between 12th-15th among fantasy QBs heading into 2009. His career touchdown totals over his first five seasons are 17, 17, 18, 32 and 17. He is a mediocre fantasy quarterback at best and is a big injury risk as his offensive line continues to make him look like he just rents the distance with Manny Pacquiao . Roethlisberger has been sacked 46 or more times in each of his last three seasons, and eventually he's going to suffer a serious injury. They paid him a boatload of money (8 years , $102 million), so now it's time to start protecting their investment . The Steelers failed to draft any impact O-lineman in the 2009 draft (selected DL Ziggy Hood in the first round), so offensive line play could be a real problem in '09.

RB Rashard Mendenhall, PIT (RB - #8) - Sleeper (undervalued)

Mendenhall fractured his shoulder in week 4 and missed the remainder of the 2008 season. He could be one of the undervalued RB on draft day because of his limited production in his rookie season (he finished with 19 carries for 58 yards (3.1 avg.) and two catches for 17 yards). Don't make the mistake of undervaluing him as the 2nd year RB out of the University of Illinois should be on the field when the Steelers get near the goal line. I could see him reaching the endzone 10 times this season. Mendenhall is ready for 2009 as his shoulder has healed and his legs are more than ready. The physical interior runner figures to a good amount of carries away from Willie Parker as the Steelers would be smart to limit FWP carries so that he doesn't have his usual 2nd half breakdown. Mendenhall is a must-own insurance policy for those who stake a high pick on Parker and he could be a sleeper that pays big dividends later in the season as the 2008 first round pick has a ton of talent.

RB Mewelde Moore, PIT (RB - #58) - Deep-league Only

Mewelde Moore could be overvalued on draft day as he figures to be 3rd on the depth chart heading into 2009 as Rashard Mendenhall appears to be healthy. Moore started four times in 2008 and had over 90 total yards in each game. He's a wise investment for FWP owners but should probably remain on the waiver wire otherwise. Mewelde will be a decent 3rd down back for the Steelers, but his fantasy value is tied directly to the health of FWP/Mendenhall. He finished 2008 with 140 carries for 588 yards (4.2 avg.) and five touchdowns, and caught 40 passes for 320 yards (8.0 avg.) and a touchdown. Moore is going to be a free agent after this season, which could provide further motivation for him to excel if his role is expanded due to injury.

RB Willie Parker, PIT (RB - #52) - Solid/Safe Pick

Fast Willie Parker played fairly well when he did play last year, but (for the second season in a row) he was hampered by injury. Aside from earning an "injury prone" label, he faces competition for the rock from veteran Mewelde Moore and youngster Rashard Mendenhall. The 300 plus touches years are behind Parker, at least as a Steeler, but he is a talented back and most importantly he is in a contract year. Parker is a tough runner, but he is not a big RB. Look for Mendenhall to vulture goal line carries and TDs and the performance of Moore in Parker's absence last year earned him the right to some significant touches in 2009. None of the three Steeler RBs look to be top 12 prospects and only Parker has the potential to be worthy of a starting spot -- a mid-level #2 seems like his potential. 250 rushing attempts and 15 receptions seem about right to go along with 6 TDs. That's enough to make him a 4th round pick at best and comfortable 5th rounder.