No. 5 is the new focal point for the Steelers with Jalen Ramsey wearing the number after a blockbuster swap sent Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami. The countdown to Week 1 vs Jets at MetLife centers on the No. 5 legacy: Ramsey’s elite pedigree, the five Steelers who’ve worn the digit, and Craig Colquitt’s legendary punting stretch as the franchise’s top No. 5. The piece knots the trade, the roster history, and the fantasy angles tied to a stronger secondary and improved special-teams ceiling.

The history shows Ramsey joined a secondary poised to lock down receivers, while the old No. 5 lineage includes Cameron Johnston, D’Shawn Jamison, Joshua Dobbs, and Bruce Gradkowski. Colquitt’s punt volume anchors the tradition as the greatest No. 5 wearer, a reminder that production from special teams can tilt fantasy DSTs and punt-related plays. Jets loom as Week 1 opponent, amplifying the intrigue for Week 1 lineups.

Pittsburgh reshuffles six jersey numbers ahead of the regular season, led by Yahya Black moving to No. 94. Esezi Otomewo becomes 93, Andrus Peat 71, Max Hurleman 84, D'Shawn Jamison 38, and Trey Sermon 37. No. 94 last belonged to Dean Lowry, who is out with a knee injury. Black wore 94 at Iowa, and preseason buzz could push him into action as Week 1 vs. the Jets looms.

The change signals a fresh Steelers DL rotation and potential fantasy upside for Black if his momentum carries over. Sermon and Hurleman add backfield and committee depth, while Otomewo and Jamison provide versatile line-coverage options. The Jets opener on Sept. 7 will reveal how these moves translate to real game snaps.

For fantasy players, tracking snap counts and usage in that opener will be critical. If Black commands early-down reps and pressures the quarterback, a notable surge in tackle and sack opportunities could follow, especially with Lowry sidelined.

Kansas City’s offense is dialing up the sky with Patrick Mahomes leading a momentum shift toward deeper shots and sharper progression reads. Nagy stresses the mindset of starting with a post or intermediate cue, then executing within the play, a approach that could boost big-play efficiency if the line sustains protection. The Chiefs’ young line values the tight coaching around Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia, while Isiah Pacheco is geared to recapture explosiveness with a higher weight and focus on finishing.

Offseason collaboration with Brett Veach shapes a disciplined, clouded-in-the-scouting process, and the international game setup adds a real-world test for rookie-ready players. Fantasy managers should watch for Mahomes’ ceiling remaining sky-high, Pacheco’s workload stabilization, and run-blocking harmony as indicators of sustained top-tier production.

Pittsburgh opened preseason with a 31-25 win over Jacksonville and gave Steelers fans a few early roster peeks. Max Hurleman, D'Shawn Jamison, and Skylar Thompson stood out as the biggest winners for the black-and-gold, underscoring talent depth that could shape the final 53. Most notable was Derrick Harmon, the No. 21 pick in the 2025 draft from Oregon, whose two pressures on 22 pass-rushing snaps hinted at interior disruption the Steelers hoped for.

Harmon isn’t billed as a flashy stat-sheet stuffer yet, but CBS’ Chris Trapasso graded his debut a solid B- for his interior reach and pressure rate. He didn’t rack up tackles or a sack, but collapsing interior pockets is precisely what he was drafted to do, and a 10% pace from interior rushers is meaningful in the NFL. Pittsburgh plans to side Harmon with Keeanu Benton and Cameron Heyward, giving him veteran mentorship as he acclimates to pro life. Harmon’s 2024 college line—45 tackles, 11 TFL, five sacks—suggests a trajectory toward interior pressure as a long-term asset, potentially a steal in dynasty formats if he keeps advancing.

Hurleman and Jamison added to the depth storyline, offering viable roster cases behind the top options. Thompson’s presence adds a further layer of competition behind starter Kenny Pickett. For fantasy, the takeaway isn’t just the Week 1 results but the roster path these players may carve—Hurleman as a potential late-round flier for WR depth, Jamison as a developmental corner, Thompson as a superflex depth option, and Harmon as a high-upside interior pass-rusher with early-season upside in IDP formats. The Steelers’ interior line looks primed to threaten quarterbacks, potentially lifting defensive pressure numbers across the unit as Harmon's role expands.

Next up, Pittsburgh faces more preseason action as Harmon's role clarifies and the rest of the depth chart evolves. If Harmon, Benton, and Heyward can sustain pressure, fantasy managers should monitor the Steelers’ front for subtle IDP gains and late-season upside. Hurleman’s development and Jamison’s rookie-season trajectory will also feed into Steelers’ depth dynamics, reinforcing a roster that could offer sneaky upside in deeper formats as the season approaches.