James will need to fend off competition from Vance McDonald, PennLive.com's Jacob Klinger reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Steelers traded for McDonald and his sizable contract last August, hoping to get an eventual upgrade in the passing game. It never materialized in the regular season, but McDonald finally broke out with 10 catches for 112 yards in a playoff loss to Jacksonville. McDonald owns a career mark of 13.5 yards per catch and has a clear advantage in athleticism, but the former 49er has played just 58 games in five pro seasons, never reaching 400 yards in a year. James, on the other hand, has averaged only 8.5 yards on 90 career receptions and played 16 games in back-to-back seasons. McDonald is far more interesting for fantasy purposes, but only if he can finally stay healthy and beat out James for the lead job. Training camp and the preseason should go a long way toward determining the winner.

James, who caught both his targets for nine yards in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Browns, finishes up the 2017 season with 43 receptions (on 63 targets) for 372 yards and three touchdowns playing in all 16 games.

EDGE Analysis

James came out of the gate strong, scoring two touchdowns on six catches in Week 1, but only managed to score or have more receptions just once more all season. The tight end position has taken a backseat role in Pittsburgh's juggernaut offense, and James will likely still be in a timeshare with Vance McDonald, limiting the fantasy value of both next season.

James caught two passes for seven yards in Pittsburgh's 27-24 loss to New England on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Despite Vance McDonald (shoulder) being inactive, James was unable to get much going with his five targets, including what appeared to be a game-winning 10-yard touchdown with 28 seconds to play. Unfortunately, the play was overturned on review, with official Tony Corrente saying the ball did not "survive" the completion of the catch. Fantasy owners still alive in their playoffs should look elsewhere for a tight end in Week 15.

James could see his offensive snap share increase in Sunday's game against the Patriots with Vance McDonald (shoulder) ruled out for the contest.

EDGE Analysis

Though James is the Steelers' clear top tight end, McDonald has been mixed liberally into the game plan when he's been able to suit up this season, logging no fewer than 15 offensive snaps in any of his eight appearances. As such, his absences have afforded James more playing time, especially in recent weeks. When McDonald missed Weeks 11 through 13 with an ankle injury, James averaged 66 snaps per game. McDonald returned to suit up for last week's win over the Ravens, but exited with the shoulder issue in that contest, enabling James to log 71 snaps, which he used to catch a season-high 10 passes for 97 yards. Given that James hadn't recorded more than six receptions or 42 receiving yards in any of the Steelers' previous 12 games, a repeat performance shouldn't be expected in Week 15, but McDonald's absence at least makes the possibility a little bit more likely.

James caught 10-of-12 targets for 97 yards in Pittsburgh's 39-38 win over Baltimore on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

James had the best game of his career, exceeding his previous bests in receptions (6) and yards (49), although he failed to score for a fourth straight game. With just three touchdowns this season, and just one since Week 1, it is hard to justify starting James in fantasy playoffs against a Patriot defense that had kept opposing tight ends out of the end zone for the past six games.

James caught three passes for 32 yards in Pittsburgh's 31-28 win over Green Bay Sunday night.

EDGE Analysis

After seeing eight targets in Week 11, and with Vance McDonald (ankle) inactive, fantasy owners likely had high expectations of James, but he failed to deliver, although he made the most of his four targets against the Packers. Adding to the frustration, third-string tight end Xavier Grimble vultured a one-yard touchdown catch on his only target all game. Don't expect much from James in Week 13 against a Cincinnati defense that has held opposing tight ends to under 60 yards per game and just two scores this season.

James brought in five of eight targets for 21 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 40-17 win over the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

The third-year tight end equaled his largest target share of the season with position mate Vance McDonald (ankle) inactive, parlaying it into his first touchdown since Week 1 in the process. James hadn't been targeted in three of the prior four contests, so Thursday's relative success could have at least partly been attributed to McDonald's status. However, the tight end position isn't an overly integral one in the 2017 version of the Steelers' offense, as Antonio Brown, LeVeon Bell, and as of late, JuJu Smith-Schuster, are commanding a majority of the looks in the passing game. James remains a hit-or-miss fantasy option each week and will look to build on Thursday's success versus the Packers in Week 12.

James' teammate, Vance McDonald (ankle), is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

James' production has been spotty of late, but with McDonald out Thursday, James and Xavier Grimble could see added opportunities in the Steelers offense. James is still a Week 11 fantasy dart, but he is an option for those in deep leagues scrambling for tight end help this week due to byes and/or injuries.

James failed to secure either of his two targets in Pittsburgh's 20-17 win over Indianapolis Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

This is the third time in his last four games that James has gone without a catch, as he and Vance McDonald continue to split tight end duties. Neither is seeing enough action to warrant fantasy consideration at this time.

James caught two passes for 42 yards in a 20-15 win over the Lions on Sunday night.

EDGE Analysis

With Vance McDonald (knee) inactive, James saw his first targets (3) since Week 5, and produced his best game in terms of yardage all season. The tight end position has not been a primary weapon in an otherwise potent Pittsburgh offense, limiting the fantasy value of both James and McDonald.