In terms of your fantasy football lineup, is Najee Harris on the way out, and is Jaylen Warren ready to be the No. 1 option among Pittsburgh Steelers‘ running backs? Let’s take a look at which of the two is more starter-worthy on your fantasy team in Week 8.
Fantasy Outlook for Najee Harris This Week
It has not been a productive season for Harris, to say the least. After back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons on the ground, Harris is on pace to fall well below the 1,000-yard mark this season — currently projected at 850 rushing yards. Although he leads the team with 300 rushing yards, that only ranks 25th in the league.
MORE: 2023 RB Fantasy Football Rankings
And even though Harris found the end zone in last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams, that was just his first touchdown of the season. In addition, he has been held under four yards per carry in three of his last four games, a fact that has probably been overlooked as the Steelers won all three of those games.
And now Pittsburgh gets a visit from the Jacksonville Jaguars, who rank fourth in the NFL in both rushing yards per game allowed (80.6) and opponent yards per carry (3.6).
Fantasy Outlook for Jaylen Warren This Week
It clearly feels like there is a changing of the guard in Pittsburgh’s backfield. Yes, Harris is still the starting running back, but for how much longer?
It stands to reason that Warren has earned the right to receive more opportunities for a Steelers’ rushing offense that ranks 25th in average expected yards added per rush (-0.17) and 28th in rush yards per game (81.3).
Warren is averaging less than four yards per carry for the season (3.9), but over his last two games, he’s averaging 4.1 ypc and got in the end zone for the first time last week against the Rams.
Then there is the added element of pass catching. Whereas Harris has just eight receptions on the season (52 yards), Warren is second on the team in both receptions (22) and receiving yards (165).
While Warren has yet to secure a TD reception, the more times he is featured as a pass catcher out of the backfield, how much longer do you think that drought will last?
And don’t forget, these numbers are from a backup RB — but a backup that has been on the field for at least 40% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps in all six games this season.
Which Steelers RB Should You Start?
PFN’s Fantasy Start/Sit Optimizer projects very close Week 8 production for these two. Harris is projected to rack up 8.7 fantasy points, while Warren projects to earn 8.6.
So, while the optimizer basically calls it a wash with these two, if you’re in the position of picking one over the other, my choice would be Warren.
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