The Pittsburgh Steelers have long maintained an offense focused on the running game more than most teams. Even when Ben Roethlisberger was cementing his Hall of Fame resume, the ground game was vital to the success of the offense.
After struggling in the post-Big Ben era, the Steelers have set themselves up for success with three running backs who can all get the job done – Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson.
With one of the ultimate game manager quarterbacks in history now in Pittsburgh (Russell Wilson), all three of the top guys are going to get their opportunities to contribute. Throw in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who oversaw the most run-heavy offense in the NFL the last three years while in Atlanta, there is reason for more than one of the Steelers running backs making an impact on fantasy rosters.
Najee Harris
When Harris came to the NFL in 2021, just about every draft analyst had him landing in Pittsburgh because there was a need post-Le’Veon Bell and Harris’ style meshed well with what the Steelers. He has been durable – Harris hasn’t missed a game in three years – and has almost 1,000 touches in that short span. However, his role is changing despite rushing for more than 1,000 yards in each season.
His number of carries have placed him near the top of the league each year, but they have declined – from 307 in 2021, 272 in 2022, and 255 last season. More troubling for his fantasy value is that his reception totals have dropped sharply in his three seasons (74-41-29), as has his receiving yardage (467-229-170).
Harris proved he can be a three-down back, but that won’t be necessary with the complementary players on the roster.
Jaylen Warren
Warren embraced his role as the designated receiving back last season. As a rookie in 2022, his role was strictly as a change-of-pace back, rushing 77 times for 379 yards, catching 28 passes for 214 yards, and scoring one touchdown. His role expanded greatly last season by running 149 times for 784 yards, catching 61 passes for 370 yards, and scoring four touchdowns.
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The reason Warren’s usage increased so sharply wasn’t due to injuries to Harris, it was because Warren outperformed him in many games. He has averaged more than a yard per carry above Harris and has been given a more defined role in the offense. He’s still clearly the RB2 in the offense, but the distance between his role and Harris’ continues to shrink because Warren has earned added playing time.
Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson has carved out an 11-year career based on his versatility. He was drafted as a wide receiver, transformed into a running back, and has always been a devastating return man. In Pittsburgh, he likely won’t have a defined role other than a kick returner who can take advantage of the new rules.
At age 33, the end is nearing for Patterson, but it is clear that Smith, his head coach the last three seasons, had a role in the decision to sign him. Even though there is competition in front of him on the depth chart, Patterson has the experience to step into any role asked of him. He can be a workhorse running back if needed and line up anywhere on the field when asked.
Fantasy football outlook
From the fantasy perspective, the worst thing that can happen for running backs is to have legitimate competition. Since Harris, Warren and Patterson all have strengths that can be utilized, it cuts into all of their values.
Harris has three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons to start his career, but his role has changed to primarily being a two-down, between-the-tackles rusher whose usage will be limited to a greater extent than other lead backs. As a result, he drops to near the end of RB2 rankings. He may have another 1,000-yard rushing season, but without reception volume, his value drops.
The opposite is true for Warren. Because of his use as a receiver (Wilson is quick to dump off passes when pressured), he is on the RB3/No. 4 cusp in 12-team leagues. Drafters clearly disagree on such a valuation based on his PPR ADP as the position’s 24th-selected player.
Patterson doesn’t have a draft value (his ADP is in the 80s for running backs), but he will be quickly snapped up off the waiver wire if anything happens to Harris or Warren.
Don’t feel compelled to handcuff Warren and Harris because of how much Smith relies on multiple backs when one isn’t overly dominant.
