Vance McDonald
  • Vance McDonald

  • TE
  • ,
  • 34
  • 267 lbs
  • 6' 4"
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Scouting report

by Dale Lolley

PIT TE Vance McDonald - 2019 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside
Vance McDonald got a career-high 72 targets in 2018 and produced career-high numbers across the board with 50 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns. He also appeared in 15 games for the first time since his rookie season in 2013, which helped. McDonald is the unquestioned No. 1 tight end for the Steelers and could even see his target load increase even more in 2019 with backup Jesse James now with the Lions and star receiver Antonio Brown in Oakland.

Fantasy Downside
The only downside with McDonald is his health. He's never played a full season thanks to his aggressive run-after-the-catch style.

2019 Bottom Line
McDonald is a nice sleeper pick at the tight end position this year. He led all tight ends in YAC last season and should see his role increase in 2019. It wouldn't be surprising to see him catch 60-plus passes, which would put him in starting tight end consideration in all fantasy leagues. He doesn't have the upside of some other tight ends thanks to his injury history and the fact the Steelers will spread the ball around a little more, but he's not a bad consolation prize in Round 7, which is where his current ADP places him.

by Dale Lolley

PIT TE Vance McDonald - Week 17 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 17 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Vance McDonald had just one reception last week, but it went for a 49-yard gain. He also was targeted in the end zone with another pass, so it could have been a pretty productive week. Now, he faces a Cincinnati defense that has given up 10 TD catches to the tight end position this season. And he had seven receptions for 68 yards in their earlier meeting. McDonald should be a borderline TE1 play this week.

by Dale Lolley

PIT TE Vance McDonald - Week 16 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 16 at New Orleans Saints

Vance McDonald caught just two passes for 13 yards last week but did get into the end zone for the fourth time this season. He's been more of a low-end TE1 only when the matchup has been in his favor and that's not the case this week, even though the Saints have given up three touchdowns to tight ends in the past two games. They've given up just four tight end scores all season, so it would be a roll of the dice to expect McDonald to get into the end zone and make him a salvageable play.

by Dale Lolley

PIT TE Vance McDonald - Week 15 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 15 vs. New England Patriots

Vance McDonald had four receptions for 37 yards last week but continues to split reps with Jesse James, which hurts his overall production, even in some good matchups. This is another one this week against a New England defense that has given up seven touchdowns to opposing tight ends. McDonald is a low-end No. 1 TE play this week, though he's much more comfortably a TE2.

by Dale Lolley

PIT TE Vance McDonald - Week 14 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 14 at Oakland Raiders

Vance McDonald has been slowed a bit in recent weeks, catching no more than four passes in a game since Week 6. But considering the Raiders just allowed Kansas City's tight ends to go off for 15 catches for 207 yards and three scores last week, it's understandable to take a look at McDonald as a starter this week. He won't get that kind of volume, but Oakland has allowed nine touchdown passes to the tight end position since Week 4. McDonald could be useful as a low-end TE1 play.

by Dale Lolley

PIT TE Vance McDonald - Week 13 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Vance McDonald had just three catches for 27 yards last week, going in and out of the game with a hip injury throughout the game. He's expected to play this week but faces a tough task with a Chargers defense that is playing well against opposing tight ends this season. Given that, McDonald's injury and his usage of late, don't expect a big game from him. He's nothing more than a mid-level TE2 this week.

by Dale Lolley

PIT TE Vance McDonald - Week 12 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 12 at Denver Broncos

Vance McDonald had just three catches for 27 yards last week at Jacksonville but scored for the second week in a row to make him a viable play. He faces a Denver defense this week that has given up five touchdowns to tight ends this season, including one in each of the past three games. The Broncos also allowed seven receptions for 107 yards to the Chargers' tight ends last week. McDonald is a low-end TE1 play again this week.

Vance McDonald news