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The last time we saw Vance McDonald on the field in a meaningful NFL game, he was torching a stingy Jacksonville Jaguars defense for 10 catches and 112 yards in the playoffs. That performance moved him up to the top of the Pittsburgh Steelers' depth chart, a potentially mouth-watering spot production-wise for the tight end. The Steelers are one of the elite passing offenses in the league, so McDonald will get a chance to prove the coaching staff right in Week 1 with a tasty matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers go into Week 1 with a favorable implied point total (25.0), the first checkmark in the pros column for McDonald. Another positive is the Brownies' weakness against tight ends last season. They allowed the fifth-most fantasy points and second-most touchdowns to the position. In Week 1 last year, Pittsburgh's now backup tight end, Jesse James, had his best fantasy game of the season, racking up 6 catches for 41 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The third and final factor weighing in McDonald's favor is the potential absence of Le'Veon Bell. The back is still a no-show to team facilities and is in danger of not being ready to play on Sunday. If he does sit out against Cleveland, a good portion of Bell’s 7.0 targets per game will be up for grabs with some falling McDonald's way close to the line of scrimmage.