Connor Heyward Brings In Two Catches In Thursday Night Win
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Connor Heyward caught two of his three targets for 16 yards in the team's 20-16 win over the visiting Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football. Meanwhile, fellow tight end Darnell Washington caught his only target for a seven-yard gain. Heyward caught a season-high five passes (six targets) for 24 yards in last week's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars with Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) on Injured Reserve, but he couldn't keep up that elevated production in Week 9. Freiermuth will miss at least two more games, but fantasy managers just won't be able to trust Heyward for consistent production in one of the weaker offenses in the league. The 24-year-old has just 14 receptions for 105 yards and no touchdowns in eight games in 2023.
Pittsburgh Steelers second-year tight end Connor Heyward, the younger brother of Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, is primed for a bigger role in 2023. He made the most of playing 15 percent of the offensive snaps in his rookie season, catching 12 of his 17 targets and scoring a touchdown. His chemistry with quarterback Kenny Pickett has grown this offseason and he could fill the role as the primary fullback with Derek Watt now gone. Heyward could also see more time as an undersized yet strong tight end behind Pat Freiermuth. The 24-year-old sixth-rounder should have a slightly bigger role in his sophomore season, but it won't be enough to make him fantasy relevant unless Freiermuth misses time with an injury.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Connor Heyward had a solid spring catching the ball, especially considering he still doesn't have a clue how he's going to be used this year. However, he's a matchup nightmare on the field, and linebackers just can't cover him. Slot cornerbacks are too small to knock him off his routes. The 24-year-old has intriguing size and speed, but he is currently buried on the tight end depth chart in a crowded room behind Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry and rookie Darnell Washington. Heyward won't be fantasy relevant unless a couple injuries ahead of him open up more playing time. The sixth-round pick caught 12 of 17 targets for 151 yards and one touchdown in his rookie season in 17 games (zero starts).
Connor Heyward Showing Chemistry With Kenny Pickett
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie tight end Connor Heyward, the younger brother of Steelers pass-rusher Cameron Heyward, impressed in offseason workouts and showed chemistry with first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett during minicamp. The sixth-round selection is expected to be a hybrid tight end/fullback in an offense that values versatility in its skill players. The 23-year-old has mostly been working with the tight ends and receivers, so he's unlikely to be competing for the fullback spot with Derek Watt in training camp. It remains to be seen if Heyward will actually become a threat as a pass-catching tight end in Pittsburgh, but he's one to watch moving forward because of his versatility.
