Jaylen Warren

Warren got a lot of his playing time in passing situations the past three seasons, but Najee Harris' departure this offseason may have opened the door for a new role. Warren played that role behind Harris not because he couldn't do more but because the Steelers had already decided on Harris as their starter and bruiser. Warren thrived coming out of the bullpen, but before he was a passing-down back for the Steelers, he was a workhorse at both Oklahoma State and Utah State. He has an unusually stout frame at 5-foot-8, 215, and that anchor allows his feet to stay gripped to the ground while grinding through traffic. He'd be one of the league's slowest lead backs in terms of straight-line speed -- he ran a 4.55 40 in 2022, at a lighter weight of 204 -- but there are no other discernible weaknesses in his game, and the combination of pass-game skills and a stout build suggests he can stay on the field for all situations. The addition of rookie third-round pick Kaleb Johnson is a major complication, though not necessarily a death sentence for Warren's chances of becoming a starter. At 6-1, 224, Johnson looks similar to Harris and might even prove to be a better runner, but he'll first need to overcome the usual assortment of obstacles that can limit a talented rookie's playing time. Should Johnson struggle to acclimate, Warren appears capable of filling a workhorse role. Read Past Outlooks