D.K. Metcalf Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Metcalf totaled 195.2 fantasy points (WR31) and 12.8 PPR points per game (WR33) over 15 games.

He caught 66 passes for 992 yards and five TDs on 108 targets.

Despite leading the league with 32 deep targets and posting four top-24 finishes, he failed to crack 1,000 yards and logged six games outside the top-36 WRs.

Usage & Role

Metcalf maintained a 20.4% target share, his lowest since his rookie season.

He played primarily outside (86.1% wide) and remained a vertical threat with a 14.0-yard average depth of target (12th among WRs with 50+ targets). A league-high 29.6% of his targets came 20+ yards downfield.

Efficiency Metrics

Metcalf posted his lowest efficiency marks since 2019:

• 1.80 yards per route (34th)
• 74.7 PFF receiving grade (35th)
• 4.0 yards after catch per reception (36th)

He wasn’t inefficient by league standards, but relative to his own baseline, it was one of the worst years of Metcalf’s career, driven by middling intermediate usage and declining red-zone connection.

Offensive Context

The Seahawks' new offense last season seemed to hone in on Metcalf’s deep threat abilities as his primary role.

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, playing from the slot, received more targets than Metcalf.

Seattle was middle-of-the-pack in pass rate and pace, and Metcalf still earned deep volume.

Metcalf’s usage and mediocre efficiency metrics seemed to spur his trade to the Steelers.

Historical Production & Trends

Metcalf’s target share has declined four straight seasons (from 26.1% in 2021 to 20.4% in 2024), while his TD rate fell from early-career highs of 12-16% to just 7.6% in 2024.

He’s still a premier deep threat, but his role has shifted from alpha to volatile field stretcher with limited yards after catch and shrinking red-zone dominance.

It remains to be seen if that will carry over to the Steelers.

Injury History

Metcalf played 15 games in 2024, missing two due to an MCL sprain.

In 2023, Metcalf missed one game with a rib injury.

He hasn’t missed any other games in his career due to injury.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

Metcalf will serve as the Steelers’ primary outside receiver and the main target on the offense, likely leading the team in most receiving metrics.

With George Pickens traded, there is currently very little competition for targets among the WR group.

The Steelers return WR Calvin Austin, who had 56 targets in 2024, as well as second-year WR Roman Wilson, who got very little work as a rookie.

They brought in Robert Woods in free agency, but he is unlikely to make a major receiving impact.

Even with a low pass rate, Metcalf should dominate the target share on the Steelers.

Supporting Cast

Pittsburgh solidified the QB position by signing Aaron Rodgers in June. While no longer an elite passer, Rodgers will bring stability to Pittsburgh’s offense this season.

Among 32 qualifying QBs last year, Rodgers ranked:

• 27th in completion rate
• 22nd in adjusted completion rate
• 25th in yards per attempt
• 15th in Pro Football Focus passing grade

The Steelers return most of their starting OL from last season with OT Broderick Jones and interior OL Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick. 2024 first-round pick Troy Fautanu is expected to get the start at RT.

Last season, the Steelers ranked 13th in ESPN’s pass-blocking success rate (62%).

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

OC Arthur Smith’s offenses have historically emphasized the run, with pass rates often hovering around 50%.

Last season, the Steelers had a 50.7% pass rate overall, but it rose to 52.6% with Russell Wilson at QB (which ranked 27th in the league).

Smith does like to play a bit more uptempo than expected with 64.1 plays per game last season, ranking 11th fastest.