We’re going to get a lot of stuff wrong, but sifting through usage metrics can help us work through what matters and what doesn’t. That’s the goal of this article: to break down the most actionable takeaways from each week in a concise, numbers-filled format and work through what’s important. Let’s get right to it.
Jaylen Warren tops 100 rushing yards for second straight game; Najee Harris leads Steelers in carries
In Week 10, Warren was introduced as a starter — and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin noted that he thought Warren had earned that right through strong performance — and finished with just one fewer carry (15) than Najee Harris (16). He lapped Harris in efficiency and finished with 101 yards for his first career game over the century mark.
He didn’t take long getting his second 100-yard game, as Warren ran for a career-high 129 yards against the Browns’ vaunted defense, most of which came on a 74-yard TD scamper down the right side early in the second half. Still, Warren finished with only nine carries, while Harris had 12, and PFF’s Nathan Jahnke noted that Harris out-snapped his backfield mate 26-13 on early downs. Pittsburgh didn’t have any goal-line snaps this week, but Harris held that role last week and has a 9-1 edge on carries inside the 10-yard line this year (3-0 inside the 5).
As usual, Warren was the Steelers’ passing-down back, playing the majority of third downs (although four third-down snaps for Harris was actually more than usual).
It’s a good sign that Warren’s increased rushing role stuck in Week 11 and it matters that he has been extremely efficient (especially compared to Harris) on a larger workload over the past two games. With that being said, his upside may be capped in 2023 as the Steelers refuse to completely eliminate Harris on early downs and prefer him at the goal line. Warren can still be a fine RB2 in that role, but he still needs a Harris injury to unlock a massive ceiling. Harris is a TD-dependent accumulator on a below-average offense. Many fantasy teams don’t have anyone better to start, but it’s hard to have any faith in him moving forward.
Jerome Ford dominates work in first half then makes way for Kareem Hunt in second half
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