Connor

Heyward

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Steelers wanted to re-sign Heyward, but were unable to do so. New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak “wants him as his full back for what he’s building in Vegas.” Heyward was listed as a tight end last season. He lined up all over the formation, including 17 snaps at quarterback, 33 snaps in the back field, 22 snaps in line, 13 snaps in the slot and seven snaps out wide. The contract includes $2 million in financial guarantees.

Smith scored the second of two rushing touchdowns by Pittsburgh tight ends, setting a new NFL record as the first team in history with two rushing scores by different tight ends in the same game. Leave it to Arthur Smith to be responsible for a record like that. Smith’s outing was otherwise far from noteworthy while playing in a four-man rotation at tight end for the Steelers, with all of Smith, Pat Freiermuth (three catches for 45 yards), Darnell Wshington (three catches for 25 yards), and Heyward (four carries for four yards and a touchdown) getting in on the action.

Freiermuth began his 21-day practice window this week, getting in full practices on Thursday and Friday. He has been out since Week 4 with a hamstring injury, grabbing eight receptions in four games played. Freiermuth has been listed as questionable on the Steelers’ final Week 11 injury report. His return will make Connor Heyward fantasy irrelevant, though Freiermuth himself is barely a TE2 with Kenny Pickett at quarterback.

Heyward continues to be the Steelers’ primary tight end with Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) out. He has 16 targets in four games since the Steelers’ Week 6 bye, establishing himself as a streaming option with the right matchup. In Week 11, Heyward faces a tough Browns defense, where he will be a TE3 option.

Heyward worked as the team’s primary pass-catching tight end with Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) sidelined. He ran a pass route on 75 percent of the team’s drop backs and was second among Steelers pass catchers in targets. Heyward makes for an interesting deep-league streaming option for as long as Freiermuth is out.

Heyward, who played fullback at Michigan State, repped with the tight ends at minicamp. The sixth-round rookie is a candidate for the H-back role in Pittsburgh, mixing in behind TE Pat Freiermuth and FB Derek Watt. Heyward’s strong start to the offseason gives him the edge for a Week 1 roster spot.

A former running back, Heyward (5'11"/233) converted to tight end in 2021. He was then announced as a fullback at the draft. Following his senior year seam conversion, Heyward recorded an uninspiring 35-326-2 receiving line in 12 games as Kenneth Walker took over the backfield and won the Doak Walker award. Even as a tight end, Heyward was used like a running back, with a very shallow average depth of target of 4.0. Heyward projects as a hybrid H-back type, but with 4.72 speed and a 32.5-inch vertical, he will never provide fantasy value.