James hasn't faced a serious challenge for the starting tight end job, Bob Labriola of Steelers.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After making 13 starts last season while Ladarius Green was limited to six games, James had the inside track to the No. 1 spot on the depth chart once Green was released in May. There was some thought Xavier Grimble would push for the starting gig -- or at least regular work on passing downs -- but it seems James has locked down the top job without much trouble. Given both his own limitations and the team's abundant talent at the other skill positions, James still only projects as a complementary piece in the passing attack. He caught 39 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns on 60 targets last year, producing just 8.7 yards per catch and 5.6 per target. James does at least stand to benefit from playing in a high-powered offense with a quarterback who likes to target tight ends near the end zone.

James is slated to be the clear-cut No. 1 option at tight end for the Steelers in 2017 after they released veteran Ladarius Green (concussion) on Thursday, ESPN's Adam Caplan reports.

EDGE Analysis

James is cemented atop the depth chart at tight end in Pittsburgh at this point, while the Steelers' front office was forced to let Green walk following a failed physical. Green only appeared in six games last season, so James became comfortable with the first-team offense during his sophomore campaign as he racked up 39 catches for 338 yards and three touchdowns on 60 targets. He'll be backed up by second-year TE Xavier Grimble, who now figures to be in line for an increase in volume after seeing just 21 balls thrown his way as a rookie.

James caught five passes for 48 yards in Pittsburgh's 36-17 AFC championship loss to New England.

EDGE Analysis

Despite trailing all game, all but one of James' receptions came before halftime, including what appeared to be a 19-yard touchdown that, upon review, was ruled down by contact at the one-yard line. The Steelers ultimately settled for a Chris Boswell field-goal, and never reached the end zone again until the final minutes of the game.

James caught five passes for 83 yards in Pittsburgh's 18-16 playoff win over Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to Sunday, James had never totaled more than 59 yards in a game and, in 27 regular and post season games, had averaged just 15.6 yards. The Steelers will need another big game from him when they head to New England next week, where they have not won since 2008.

James caught one pass for six yards in Pittsburgh's 30-12 wild-card win against Miami on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

After jumping out to a 20-6 lead, the Steelers attempted just six passes after halftime, leading to a quiet afternoon for anyone not named Antonio Brown or Le'Veon Bell. Even if Ladarius Green (concussion) misses next week's game, temper your expectations for James against a Kansas City defense that held opposing tight ends to an average of 43 yards per game and just four touchdowns all season.

James caught two passes for 16 yards in the Steelers' 27-24 overtime win against Cleveland on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year tight end failed to take advantage of Ladarius Green missing his tenth game this season. Targeted three times, this game was on par with his performance all season, and finished with 338 yards and three touchdowns on 39 receptions.

James hauled in four of five targets for 49 yards in Sunday's 31-27 win over the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year tight end was quiet the majority of the night, but came alive with some key catches during the game-winning drive for the Steelers. With Ladarius Green sidelined by a concussion, the potential for a bigger game for James existed, but he understandably served as a fourth option in the passing game behind Antonio Brown, LeVeon Bell and Eli Rogers. However, James' yardage total was his second highest of the season, and his four receptions were the most he'd tallied since Week 10 against the Cowboys. He'll look to close out the season on a strong note against the Browns in Week 17, a game in which he would presumably serve as the top tight end if Green is unable to return.

James failed to catch his only target in the Steelers' 24-20 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

With just five receptions in his last five games, James has become a non-factor in Pittsburgh's offense. However, Ladarius Green left late in the game with a concussion, so James may see an increased role in Week 16 against Baltimore. Still, the Ravens have one of the best defenses in the league, and have allowed opposing tight ends to score just three touchdowns this season.

James caught one pass for five yards in Pittsburgh's 27-20 win over Buffalo on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

James was targeted three times, matching his average over his past seven games. He'll face the Bengals in Week 15, against whom he caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown earlier this season, before his role took a hit due to game circumstances and the return of Ladarius Green.

James totaled 32 yards on three catches in the Steelers' 24-14 win over the Giants on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

James was targeted four times by Ben Roethlisberger, compared to a team-high 11 targets for fellow tight end Ladarius Green. In addition to losing targets to Green, James may have a difficult time of it in Week 14 against Buffalo, who have allowed opposing tight ends to score just three touchdowns all season.