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The Pittsburgh Steelers offense will look a little different in 2024. The team will roll with either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields at quarterback this year after a busy offseason. Pittsburgh signed Wilson to a one-year deal in free agency and traded for Fields in March. The Steelers also traded away former first-round pick Kenny Pickett.
The one thing that will stay the same on offense, though, is the running back room. Najee Harris will be back for his fourth NFL season, while Jaylen Warren is looking for more opportunities in Year 3.
So, which Steelers running back should fantasy managers target in drafts this season? Is Harris or Warren the better pick? Let's dive in and find out.
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Najee Harris Fantasy Football Outlook
Going in the third round of redraft formats last season, Harris did not live up to that expectation. He finished as the RB23 in PPR formats and only had two games above 19 PPR fantasy points. Still, the 26-year-old rushed for 1,000 yards for the third straight year while totaling a career-high eight rushing touchdowns.
All Harris has done in his three years in the NFL is produce. He has 3,269 career rush yards and 22 rushing touchdowns over those seasons, with three straight top-24 running back fantasy finishes. He is also the first Steelers running back in franchise history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in three straight years. Yet, he continues to get unnecessary hate in fantasy.
RB Najee Harris putting in work on Day 2 of #Steelers OTAs. pic.twitter.com/3JGvdGqbl2
— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) May 22, 2024
Yes, production has dropped for Harris since his rookie campaign in 2021, where he totaled 1,667 scrimmage yards on 381 touches. In 2022, he finished with 1,263 scrimmage yards on 313 touches. Last year, he saw a career-low 284 touches. But he still put up RB2 numbers in fantasy in each of the past two seasons. That shouldn't change in 2024, especially since the 26-year-old is entering a contract year.
Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Harris to put up elite fantasy numbers like he did in his rookie year -- when he finished as the RB3 in PPR formats and caught 74 passes for 467 yards. Warren's arrival in the passing game has almost killed Harris' potential to finish as a top-seven fantasy running back again. However, the former Alabama product will still be used a ton in the running game and should see over 250 carries again on offense.
Jaylen Warren Fantasy Football Outlook
Every fantasy manager who watched the Steelers last year could say that Warren was the more explosive back on that offense. He averaged 5.26 yards per carry on the ground and caught 61 passes for 370 yards through the air. His 784 rush yards were also a career high last season.
While there's no doubt that he was the more efficient back in that Pittsburgh offense in 2023, it's important to note that Harris is still with the team and will likely be the Steelers' starter again this upcoming season. That surely caps the 25-year-old's fantasy potential once again.
"Jaylen Warren is the best back on their roster. ... He's not just more explosive than Harris, he's one of the best backs in the NFL." 😤 @minakimes in response to how the Steelers are reshaping their offense. pic.twitter.com/CshoWtBBOy
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) May 2, 2024
Warren, though, should still have RB2 upside in fantasy every week. Last year, he finished as the RB22 in PPR formats while averaging 11.6 PPR fantasy points per game. A large reason for his success came in the receiving game, as he caught at least four passes in five straight games to end the season. If that can continue into 2024, there's no reason why the former Oklahoma State product can't stay fantasy-relevant.
There's also a chance that Warren eventually takes the starting job from Harris or sees more playing time than him -- which became the case late in the season. Over the final five games of the year, the 25-year-old played over 50% of the snaps four times. If he can play at least 50% of the snaps in most games in 2024, look for Warren to be a steal at his current ADP. He is the 28th running back off the board in Underdog Fantasy leagues right now.
Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back Fantasy Football Outlook
There is a path for both Steelers running backs to be startable fantasy pieces every week. Harris will likely be the team's goal-line back and should lead the team in the rushing department (carries, yards, touchdowns). As for Warren, his ability to do it both in the running and receiving game will make him a weekly fantasy option.
Now, which one I prefer more in fantasy this upcoming year is a tough question. Both have the potential to finish as a fantasy RB2 again, and both should see plenty of touches every week. However, at their current prices, I would rather take a chance on Warren at pick 88 than Harris at pick 76.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren weaving around markers, catching tennis balls and protecting the football at the same damn time. pic.twitter.com/xgzC9P1963
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) May 22, 2024
There is a real chance Warren continues to see more involvement on offense in 2024, especially with Arthur Smith now taking over as the offensive coordinator. He saw 210 touches compared to Harris' 284 touches last season, but there's a strong possibility we will see that gap tighten in 2024. With his potential in the receiving game, Warren could be in for some bigger fantasy days.
So between the two, Warren is likely the Steelers running back I would choose at cost. However, both will have RB2 fantasy value in 2024.
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