The NFL preseason is over and the regular season is less than two weeks away, which means it’s time for fantasy football drafts. Many NFL fans are cramming ahead of their drafts, which means checking in on the various injuries around the league. What’s the latest on Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren, and should you draft him?
The Latest on Jaylen Warren’s Health
The Steelers’ best running back strained his hamstring in the team’s second preseason game. Initially, reports indicated that he’d miss multiple weeks.
Fortunately, the tone quickly became far more optimistic.
Warren said he would have played last week had it been the regular season. On Monday, he said he will be ready for Week 1. The brief discount in fantasy drafts should be gone.
Jaylen Warren’s Fantasy Outlook
Warren gave his fantasy football managers over 1,100 total yards last season. Yet, he’s remained behind Najee Harris on the depth chart, and that will likely be the case entering the 2024 season, too.
If you want to talk yourself into Warren early in the eighth round (1-1.5 round discount from Harris), it’s a bet on talent and your willingness to gamble.
MORE: PFN’s Consensus 2024 Fantasy Football Rankings
Warren averaged 60% more yards per carry before first contact last season than Harris and is simply the more explosive player. He finished 2023 with just three fewer broken tackles despite 106 fewer attempts than Harris and matched him with 24 rushes of 10+ yards.
Warren is being drafted alongside some interesting names. Javonte Williams (now two years removed from the brutal knee injury) is my favorite of a group that includes Zamir White (first season with a starting role), James Conner (5.0 ypc last season but has 1,125 carries for his career and a third-round pick in Trey Benson waiting in the wings), and Zack Moss (also in a full-blown committee).
I’m expecting Warren’s 2024 season to look something like 2023. He only had five games in which he reached double figures in carries, and, barring the first real injury in Harris’ career, that role figures to be capped so that his viability every week will be a question.
For a complete breakdown, check out Jaylen Warren’s fantasy profile.