DK Metcalf's target share rises to 28% with Roman Wilson out

Fantasy football: Metcalf's target share jumped from 21% to 28% over the past three weeks with Wilson sidelined, but he caught just 1 of 6 targets for 4 yards…

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · November 2, 2026 · Updated November 2, 2026

DK Metcalf's target share has climbed from 21% in his earlier games to 28% over weeks 6 to 8, an injury-driven increase with Roman Wilson sidelined. He caught 1 of 6 targets for 4 yards and 0.9 half-PPR points in the Steelers' Week 8 win over Cleveland, managing just a 17% catch rate despite leading the team with a 27% target share.

The expanded role gives Metcalf a higher weekly floor through volume, but his recent production has been wildly inconsistent. Over his last three games he has averaged 9.0 targets, 4.7 receptions and 51 receiving yards for 7.4 half-PPR points a game, with performances ranging from 0.9 to 14.8 half-PPR points. He is on bye in Week 9 and faces Cincinnati in Week 10.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

DK Metcalf

Metcalf has run a route on 94% of snaps over his last three games, commanding 28% of Pittsburgh's targets with 9.0 targets a game. However, Germie Bernard had more touches than Metcalf in Week 8, catching all 5 of his targets whilst Metcalf converted just 1 of 6. The Steelers' passing game has been inefficient, and Metcalf's role is not secure despite the increased volume.

Our models project 8.8 half-PPR points a game and rank Metcalf 25th of 191 receivers in Roundup Score, with an efficiency rating of 12 out of 99 (184th of 191 receivers). He is scoring 5.9 half-PPR points a game below what his usage predicts over the past three weeks, meaning his role is worth more than his recent points. His 55% air yards share (2nd of 181 receivers) and weighted opportunity rating of 0.80 (5th of 181 receivers) show he remains central to Pittsburgh's passing attack, but the conversion rate raises concerns about his fantasy reliability as a WR2 with volatile weekly outcomes.

What to do

• Start DK Metcalf as a boom-or-bust WR2 after his Week 9 bye, acknowledging the expanded target share but expecting continued volatility.

• Monitor whether Germie Bernard sees meaningful target volume that might limit Metcalf's ceiling.

• Standard and full-PPR managers should value Metcalf slightly higher given his elevated target volume, though the low catch rate remains a concern across all formats.