Fantasy Football: Which Steelers players to start and avoid in Week 1

A good start to your fantasy football league is paramount if you want to contend for a league title in 2014. Often, the early-season matchups are the hardest for deciphering who to start and who to sit due to the many unknown factors accompanying the start of every new NFL season.

If you have any Pittsburgh Steelers on your roster, here is who you should start and who you should avoid heading into their Week 1 grudge match with the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.

Start 'em

Heath Miller - There has been a lot of talk about the Antonio Brown vs. Joe Haden matchup heading into this week, but the one person who might benefit most from the attention Brown will attract is Heath Miller. Miller is always one of Ben Roethlisberger's favorite red-zone targets and his safety valve when things break down. Miller might not get you a lot of receiving yards, but his red-zone opportunities make him a start in Week 1.

Ben Roethlisberger - The 2013 season could have been just the appetizer with 2014 being the main course for Roethlisberger. Big Ben is poised to have another fantastic statistical season and, in the no-huddle offense, he'll be spreading the ball around to a multitude of receivers. The question for Roethlisberger is whether he will be able to throw the touchdown passes that get you the points you need from the quarterback position.

Le'Veon Bell - Bell is not only playing in this Week 1 matchup, but his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield make him a must-start for your fantasy team. Although the addition of LeGarrette Blount and Dri Archer make players stray away from Bell, Mike Tomlin alluded to Bell being the workhorse in the backfield this year and possibly getting 20-25 touches per game. Bell will also be running behind an improved offensive line as he looks to add to his resume in only his second NFL season.

Avoid 'em

Justin Brown - With Lance Moore out of the lineup, Justin Brown will see an increased number of snaps, but if you are in a large league where talent is scarce, don't think Brown will give you the production that Moore would have brought to the offense. The second-year wide out could be called upon for a few catches, but nothing that will make him a starter in Week 1 on your fantasy roster.

Dri Archer - So you took a flier and drafted the speedy wide receiver/running back in the late rounds of your draft, but don't know when to start him? Considering he won't get many opportunities (if any at all) to return kickoffs, his only opportunity on special teams will be in the punt return game, where he is sharing duties with Antonio Brown, as well as seeing some spot duties in the offense. Archer is an explosive player but, just as he might have three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown, he also might have three receptions for 15 yards. Keep Archer on your bench until you see how the Steelers utilize the rookie.