Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger complimented Donte Moncrief’s knowledge of the offense at the end of the offseason program and that the two players have already developed a shorthand for communicating with each other on the field. Wide receivers coach Darryl Drake noted that connection’s led Roethlisberger to have confidence in Moncrief and that the wideout spent the spring “playing with a lot of confidence.”

Related players: JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington

We have Moncrief behind Smith-Schuster and Washington. We're much higher on Washington, who played 55% of the snaps and had two of his best games late in the season, posting 3-65 on four targets against the Patriots in Week 15 and 3-64 on three targets in Week 17. As a receiver who is very likely to see 100+ targets from Ben Roethlisberger in a potent offense, Washington is definitely in the WR3 mix this summer and has the upside to finish in the top 20.

Ben Roethlisberger will spread things around more and he won’t force passes into double coverage as often. JuJu Smith-Schuster will be the prime target, but then he was last season as well. Tight end Vance McDonald may very well be the second-most productive receiver.

With Antonio Brown in Oakland, Ben Roethlisberger's field opens up a bit more, making way for new playmakers. Vance McDonald was already third in targets among Pittsburgh pass catchers last season with 72 and could see more volume in Brown's absence. His 4for4 ranking is currently as TE8 with a projected PPR point total of 151 on the season.

Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster left Sunday’s Pro Bowl in the second quarter after hurting his knee, but it does not appear to be an injury that will linger into the offseason.

Smith-Schuster didn’t talk to reporters after the game, but Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports on Monday that Smith-Schuster is “fine,” the rest of the story said. He had one catch for 16 yards before getting hurt in his first Pro Bowl appearance. He dealt with a knee injury last offseason as well.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster tweeted this Saturday, furthering endearing himself into the hearts of those that have him in fantasy football around the globe:

"A lot on the line this week. The whole season comes down to this. Yes, I’m talking about the fantasy football championship round. Of course I’m playing Sunday!!! Theres no way I can let down the real ones who believed in me by drafting me!! Let’s get it!!"

Smith-Schuster had a mid-week groin injury, but it's nice to see even though a pivotal game in New Orleans looms, he clearly is in the right frame of mind. #priorities

A Steelers wide receiver group that was short on bodies the past few workouts in training camp got a boost Tuesday when JuJu Smith-Schuster, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Marcus Tucker returned to practice Thursday.

Smith-Schuster had been bothered by soreness in his left knee, Heyward-Bey was slowed by back issues, and Tucker had a foot injury.

Related players: Justin Hunter

With Antonio Brown also sidelined for the past week, Hunter was the only veteran getting regular practice reps until Tuesday.