When you look at the stats for the Pittsburgh Steelers, you would be shocked that they are one of only two teams that have two players with at least 800 scrimmage yards (Detroit being the other). Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris have both been very good this year at times but have also not done much in other weeks.
Which player should you start this week? We’ll give you the fantasy football outlook for each player heading into an important matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
What Is Najee Harris’ Fantasy Outlook for Week 15?
The Steelers are in a huge game this weekend as they play the Colts in a game with major playoff implications. Both teams are 7-6 on the season and right in the thick of things in the AFC playoff race.
Harris has been inconsistent this year, much to the chagrin of fantasy managers and Steelers fans across the country. Last week against the New England Patriots, he carried the ball 12 times for only 29 yards. He has struggled against the better rush defenses, but the Colts have struggled to stop the run (T-26th w/131.5 yards allowed per game).
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With Trubisky playing quarterback again, you have to think the Steelers are going to look to run the ball early and often. This is a great matchup against a Colts team that struggles to stop the run. This feels like a game where Harris gets 20+ carries for the first time all season, while also going over 100 yards for the first time.
What Is Jaylen Warren’s Fantasy Outlook for Week 15?
If you said that Warren has been the most consistent and explosive Steelers running back this season, you would have a valid point. Warren is averaging 5.6 yards per carry this year, while Harris is averaging only 4.0 yards.
Harris’ longest run of the season is only 25 yards, while Warren has taken one 74 yards. When it comes to the passing game, Warren has also been much better. He has 42 catches on the season for 272 yards, while Harris has caught 24 passes for 149 yards.
Should You Start Warren or Harris This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Warren is the player to start. His projected 10.2 points include 34 rushing yards and four receptions for 27 receiving yards. That projected stat line narrowly outperforms the consensus projection of Harris’ 9.8 points.
I am going to go against the Optimizer in this one and go with Harris. The Colts struggle to stop teams from running the ball, and this figures to be a matchup where the Steelers rely on the ground game. With Trubisky back taking the snaps for Pittsburgh, I highly doubt you are going to see Tomlin and the Steelers throw the ball 40 times.
This is going to be a physical, smash-mouth style of football game between two teams that desperately need a win to stay in line for a playoff berth. Harris is going to have his best game of the season and could flirt with a top-10 finish.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
