Watch: Steelers RB Jaylen Warren makes case for prominent role with explosive TD run
Undrafted running back Jaylen Warren might give Najee Harris a serious run for the starting running back role in Pittsburgh by the time the season ends.
Warren had one of the top plays of Week 2 of the preseason when he broke off a 62-yard run for a touchdown against the Bills.
ESPN’s Mina Kimes is one of several analysts on the Warren bandwagon.
Per analytics expert Seth Walder, Warren was one of the top receiving backs in the league last season.
That will serve quarterback Kenny Pickett well as Pittsburgh attempts to stay afloat in a stacked AFC North.
Per OddsChecker, the Steelers (+500) have the worst odds of winning the division.
Pittsburgh isn't far off from competing in 2023, however, and Warren might have a big role in the team's overperformance.
The defense is led by T.J. Watt, one of the league's best edge-rushers, while second-year pro George Pickens is a No. 1 wide receiver in the making.
Head coach Mike Tomlin is the division's best coach and has never had a losing record in 16 seasons as the Steelers' head man.
An easy comparison to make is how Tony Pollard took over the starting running back role in Dallas last season from Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott entered last season as the Cowboys' lead back last year despite Pollard unquestionably being the best back.
Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Elliott gained 0.34 yards less than expected on his 231 rush attempts, while Pollard averaged 1.17 yards over expected. Harris, by comparison, averaged 0.43 yards less than expected on 272 attempts. Warren didn't have enough attempts last year to qualify for NGS.
Harris is entering the third year of his rookie contract, and Pittsburgh has a decision to make next offseason in regard to his fifth-year option.
Depending on how Warren performs in 2023, he could make the Steelers' decision a whole lot easier.
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