News: With NT Chris Hoke (neck surgery) and RB Jonathan Dwyer (foot) sidelined indefinitely, the Steelers made roster moves to provide able bodies on the roster for Thursday night’s game against Cleveland. Hoke and Dwyer were placed on injured reserve, and ILB Mortty Ivy and S Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith were activated from the practice squad.
Analysis: Hoke and Dwyer were just backups for the Steelers and didn't have any Fantasy value. Ivy and Cromartie-Smith will provide depth for Pittsburgh, but don't add them in Fantasy.
News: Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer, getting his first meaningful NFL action with Rashard Mendenhall sidelined by a hamstring injury, ran for 107 yards on 11 carries Week 5 against the Titans. He also had a 6-yard catch. The big blow came on his first carry of the game, when he ran up the gut for 76 yards in the second quarter, setting up a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE David Johnson. The majority of Dwyer's carries came after Isaac Redman, who started in place of Mendenhall, left late in the third quarter with cramping.
Analysis: Dwyer did a great job running out the clock for the Steelers in the lopsided victory, but you should keep in mind that most of yardage came on one long run that was set up by good blocking. Redman ran well enough that he'll surely be the starter over Dwyer against the Jaguars in Week 6 if Mendenhall remains sidelined, and if Mendenhall returns, Dwyer might not get a chance to contribute at all. Unless you own Mendenhall in a deeper league and want to make extra sure that you back him up properly, you can leave Dwyer on waivers in Fantasy.
News: Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer rushed for a 50-yard touchdown against the Panthers Thursday, a run that should put him on the final roster. Dwyer showed off impressive speed on the run, especially for a back of his size. Dwyer finished with 88 yards on 13 carries.
Analysis: Dwyer is expected to settle in as a backup for the Steelers. So long as Rashard Mendenhall is healthy, his playing time will be minimal. Keep him off of rosters.
News: Steelers second-year RB Jonathan Dwyer has lost weight and added some skills to his game, opening eyes in training camp. He's battling for a spot along the RB depth chart and should see more playing time in the team's preseason game against the Eagles on Thursday. "We're definitely interested in giving him more looks, not only Thursday night, but for the remainder of the preseason," head coach Mike Tomlin said.
Analysis: Dwyer would need to have a solid preseason to unseat Isaac Redman as the primary backup to Rashard Mendenhall. We liked Dwyer's game coming out of college but he disappointed everyone last year by not playing because he wasn't in shape. Fantasy owners might want to monitor Dwyer's progress but not count on him to help out for now.
News: What does Mike Tomlin think about the potential of sixth-round RB Jonathan Dwyer? Let's put it this way: The Steelers head coach wasn't singing his praises. "Potential doesn’t feed any of our families, so we expect him to improve greatly," Tomlin said. "It’s the same expectation we put on all second-year players."
Analysis: Dwyer didn't make an impact his rookie season as it was believed that he struggled to learn the playbook and get into a role with the offense. That could change this summer, but until it does, the former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket doesn't warrant Fantasy consideration. We do like his long-term potential once he does get comfortable with the offense, though.
News: Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer will have to wait for his NFL debut. The rookie was inactive for the Steelers' season opener against the Falcons, as Pittsburgh filled out it's backfield depth chart with Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman and Mewelde Moore.
Analysis: There was one point in the preseason it appeared the Steelers were going to cut Dwyer, but he came on late and the team realized it probably wouldn't be able to get him to the practice squad if he was waived. Now, Dwyer has to work his way up the depth chart. It could be a little bit before Dwyer makes an impact in Fantasy, so only hold onto him in long-term keeper formats.
News: After struggling for most of the preseason, Steelers rookie RB Jonathan Dwyer was one of the final players to make the 53-man roster, as Pittsburgh kept him over Frank Summers. Dwyer now is set to perhaps make his regular-season debut in Week 1 against the Falcons. However, Dwyer could also be an inactive as he is currently fourth on the running back depth chart behind Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore and Isaac Redman.
Analysis: If it wasn't for an 89-yard performance late in the preseason against Denver, Dwyer might be on the practice squad or looking for work elsewhere. Dwyer showed against Denver that he could run hard and break tackles, something any coach would love. But now his major task is to work up the depth chart. Dwyer is not worth starting in Week 1 since we don't know how Pittsburgh intends to use the rookie.
News: The Steelers have been waiting all preseason for rookie RB Jonathan Dwyer (shoulder) to showcase his skills. He finally showed up during Sunday's preseason game against the Broncos. Running hard, Dwyer posted a game-high 89 rushing yards on 13 carries. He also scored for 5 yards out in the fourth quarter. Dwyer didn't get his first carry until the third quarter, but had three carries of 17 yards or longer, including a 40-yarder. Dwyer had 8 yards on six carries coming into Sunday.
Analysis: The Steelers running back depth chart coming into Sunday looked pretty complete with Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore and preseason surprise Isaac Redman. But after Dwyer's breakout performance, the Steelers have another player in the mix. The best thing Dwyer showed on Sunday was that he had both speed and grit. There were times he carried opponents for a few extra yards, and on his touchdown run he showed great speed to the outside. We still don't think Dwyer will be a feature back when the season opens, but he might have earned him a roster spot, if not with Pittsburgh, then somewhere else. Leave Dwyer for long-term Fantasy keeper formats.
News: Steelers rookie RB Jonathan Dwyer practiced for a second consecutive day Thursday after missing significant time with a shoulder injury. It might be too little, too late for him to make the team, though.
Analysis: Dwyer, a sixth-round pick out of Georgia Tech, is buried down on the Steelers depth chart at the moment and might not get much of a chance to show management what he's capable of over the last two weeks of preseason. Continue to ignore him in seasonal Fantasy play.
News: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Thursday that Steelers rookie RB Jonathan Dwyer (shoulder) is doubtful for Saturday's preseason game at the Giants. Dwyer described the injury as a stinger, which he sustained in the first preseason game against the Lions.
Analysis: Continue to monitor Dwyer's status and hope he is OK. Once considered a potential backup for Rashard Mendenhall, it appears that Isaac Redman has taken that job, and vet Mewelde Moore has sewn up a third-down role. Dwyer should only be drafted with a late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a second- or third-round choice in rookie-only drafts.
News: Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer shrugged off his shoulder injury he sustained during Saturday's preseason game against the Lions. "I'm fine. It was just a little stinger," he said. "It's frustrating. I'm just going to do what I can to get back and help this team."
Analysis: Dwyer slipped all the way to the sixth round in the 2010 draft after an outstanding career at Georgia Tech. Pittsburgh thought they landed a steal in Dwyer, but all he has done is disappoint in training camp. Dwyer is behind Isaac Redman and Mewelde Moore in the race for backup carries behind Rashard Mendenhall. This injury isn't helping his cause. Dwyer should only be drafted with a late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a second- or third-round choice in rookie-only drafts.
News: The preseason gets worse for rookie RB Jonathan Dwyer as he left the team's game Saturday vs. the Lions with a sore arm. Dwyer has been dealing with minor injuries and coaches yelling at him throughout training camp.
Analysis: Dwyer's failure to make a positive impression this summer is hurting his stock with the team. Once considered a potential backup for Rashard Mendenhall, it appears that Isaac Redman has taken that job, and vet Mewelde Moore has sewn up a third-down role. Dwyer should only be drafted with a late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a second- or third-round choice in rookie-only drafts.
News: Steelers rookie RB Jonathan Dwyer has gotten off to a slow start in training camp, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He aggravated a hamstring injury during the second workout, forcing him out for five days. When he returned, he did a blocking drill four times -- until head coach Mike Tomlin liked what he saw -- and then was yelled at by his position coach for a poor performance during another drill. This is a change from offseason workouts, when Dwyer appeared to be a candidate to back up starter Rashard Mendenhall. "I felt like I did enough, but being hurt is a setback for anybody," Dwyer said. "I'm just trying to get back in shape. This is a learning experience for me how to take care of my body better, to realize what it takes to become a professional. Everybody goes through trials and tribulations in their lives. This will make me stronger. It's not about getting through each day. It's about doing your best each day and figure out what you did wrong and improving the next day."
Analysis: Dwyer's attitude is good, but it's what he does on the field that will determine what role, if any, he has with the Steelers. We still think he's a good fit for them and a good possible long-term running back solution. Thus, he is a valuable middle- to late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a long-term type of player worthy of a second- or third-round choice in rookie-only drafts. He's not expected to be helpful in standard seasonal leagues.
News: The Steelers have signed WR Emmanuel Sanders and three other draft picks, giving them six picks under contract. Sanders, a third-round pick from SMU, signed Tuesday along with LB Stevenson Sylvester, a fifth-round selection from Utah; and sixth-round picks Jonathan Dwyer, a RB from Georgia Tech, and Antonio Brown, a former Central Michigan WR.
Analysis: Dwyer will compete with Isaac Redman this year to be the short-yardage back in Pittsburgh behind starter Rashard Mendenhall. We expect Dwyer to win the job, and that will increase his Fantasy value in seasonal leagues. In deep seasonal formats, Dwyer is worth a late-round pick, and he should be considered a mid-round selection in rookie-only drafts.
News: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said second-year RB Isaac Redman and rookie Jonathan Dwyer will get a chance to compete to be the short-yardage back. Rashard Mendenhall remains the starter, but he could come out during short-yardage situations. And Mewelde Moore remains the most likely candidate for passing-down situations.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Dwyer and Redman and who wins the battle because the winner could be worth a late-round pick in deep leagues. The Steelers will do whatever they can to keep Mendenhall fresh for the entire season, and that could mean him coming off the field near the goal line, allowing either Dwyer or Redman to score some cheap touchdowns. We expect Dwyer to win the job, and he should also be drafted with a mid-round pick in rookie-only leagues.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Steelers WR Hines Ward wants to see the team revert back to its running ways. "Last year, we had a prolific offense," Ward said. "We had two 1,000-yard receivers, a 1,000-yard back and a 4,000-yard quarterback, and we were out of the playoffs. Go figure that." Steelers president Art Rooney echoed that sentiment. "We need to figure out how to get better running the football," Rooney said. And coach Mike Tomlin agreed. "We've got to run the ball more effectively in critical situations because that's how we desire to play football, and it increases our chances of winning," Tomlin said. "It makes us a more dominant football team." Ward said he sees the Steelers running more, particularly in the early part of the season when QB Ben Roethlisberger is not available because of his suspension. But Ward said the Steelers can return to a strong running game behind Rashard Mendenhall and the addition of rookie Jonathan Dwyer. "Look for Mendenhall, for us to use a lot of him," Ward said. "Dwyer looks like he's coming on strong. Who knows? I would like to be a more-balanced team, I think it complements our defense and makes us a better ball team."
Analysis: Dwyer will likely get a few carries each week to help spell Mendenhall, and he's a great handcuff option if you draft Mendenhall with an early-round pick. That makes Dwyer worthy of a late-round pick in deeper seasonal leagues. We do see him as a valuable middle- to late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a long-term type of player worthy of a second-round choice in rookie-only drafts.
News: The most intriguing of the Steelers seven picks is Jonathan Dwyer, a productive runner at Georgia Tech in need of polishing. He was chosen in the sixth round after being seen as a possible second- or third-round pick by some scouts. The 5-foot-11, 229-pound Dwyer rushed for 3,329 yards, a 6.4 yards per carry average, and 35 touchdowns in Georgia Tech's triple-option offense over three seasons. Many believe that Dwyer's draft stock tumbled following a failed drug test that involved medication he's been taking for Attention-Deficit Disorder since a child. "With the ball in his hand, he has good plant strength. He's aggressive when he has the ball in his hands. And he's got some savvy to him in terms of, he's had a lot of opportunities to run the football in college," RB coach Kirby Wilson told the official team website of Dwyer. "He's a workhorse-type of running back, and he should excel at the next level as a runner. He's got some other things he's going to need to work on, but he does have some natural running ability. Again, when you are 230 pounds, that is a plus and that can't be taught."
Analysis: We were big fans of Dwyer before the draft, and while we're disappointed he'll be a low-risk backup for the Steelers in 2010, we won't deny him his just due. Getting the chance to run as well and as consistently as he did over three seasons in the Yellow Jackets' run-heavy offense speaks volumes for what he can do at the next level. It would not surprise us to see him wind up as the insurance policy for Rashard Mendenhall this season. That potentially makes him worthy of a late-round pick in deeper seasonal leagues. We do see him as a valuable middle- to late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a long-term type of player worthy of a second-round choice in rookie-only drafts.
