Best Ball Guy selected Jaylen Warren at what he termed the 'tear break' for running backs, citing the back’s pass-protection chops and receiving ability as the traits that will keep him on the field. He added that a check-down-friendly quarterback—'Aaron Rodgers type' in his words—would funnel targets Warren’s way and that, talent-wise, Warren 'has Gainwell beat in most departments.' The tout views Warren as a high-floor RB2 or flex who fits perfectly in Zero-RB or Hero-WR constructions.

Ray Summerlin pushed back on the Jaylen Warren enthusiasm, pointing out that Warren actually regressed last season and may never be a confident start. Summerlin noted that Najee Harris became more explosive in 2024, which undercuts the argument that Warren will simply overtake the early-down role. He added that in managed leagues Warren’s profile is particularly shaky because drafters will struggle to know when to plug him in, and he warned that the much-hyped Caleb Johnson pick could leave both backs in a fantasy-unfriendly timeshare.

Rich Hribar preferred Jaylen Warren over Jordan Mason in the late-round running-back pocket, saying Warren offers several “outs” to weekly utility. He stressed that Warren has remained more efficient than Najee Harris whenever both have been healthy, holds the more advantageous hurry-up/receiving role, and would gain immediate workhorse upside if Caleb Johnson falters or Aaron Rodgers’ offense forces more negative game scripts. With Pittsburgh’s overall quality still in question, Hribar views Warren as the last back capable of delivering spike weeks without a full-blown injury break, making him a strong value where he is currently drafted.

Best Ball Guy declared Jaylen Warren his de-facto RB1 in zero-RB builds, predicting an eye-popping 80 receptions this year. He argued the Steelers have already telegraphed a pass-catching role by lining Warren up in two-minute and long-down-and-distance packages throughout camp. With Najee Harris still standing on the sideline "in a hoodie and sunglasses" (as referenced earlier in the show), Warren is poised to siphon the high-value targets that juice half-PPR scoring on Underdog. In small-field contests like the $50 Chow Chow, an 80-catch back who costs a double-digit round pick gives zero-RB drafters the weekly floor they normally lack while preserving massive upside if Harris’ mysterious ailment lingers.

Andrew Fillipponi called Jaylen Warren a clear upgrade over Najee Harris, stressing that Warren offers "more burst and upside for longer runs" instead of Najee’s three-yard-and-a-cloud-of-dust act. Pittsburgh just gave Warren a $5 million deal—starter money in Fillipponi’s eyes—and the rebuilt interior line (Jack Frazier at center plus a promising second-year right guard) should finally open lanes. He still warned that rookie Caleb Johnson could eventually force a committee, but expects Warren to start the year with the lion’s share of touches and far more explosive plays. DFS players and season-long drafters should treat him as an undervalued RB2 for Weeks 1-4, with contingency plans if Johnson comes on.

Discussing mid-round flex options, Coventry highlighted Jaylen Warren, noting Arthur Smith’s offense will heavily feature backs in the passing game. Warren already averaged 3.3 receptions per contest last season and should see even more designed looks, making him a sneaky PPR asset who can pay off as an RB3 with weekly RB2 spikes.

Shawn Siegele said Jaylen Warren is the side to take over rookie Caleb Johnson even though Johnson goes two rounds earlier (mid-6th vs early-8th). Siegele noted Warren’s elite peripherals: a multi-year track record as one of the NFL’s most evasive runners, plus a proven 3-down receiving profile that Pittsburgh already trusts. With Arthur Smith expected to pound the rock, Siegele expects enough volume for two usable backs but sees more upside in the cheaper, already-productive veteran. At equal talent you pay the discount, and Warren costs roughly 20 picks less while owning the clearer passing-down role.

Rich Rebar called Jalen Warren a smash once he slips into the late eighth and ninth rounds of full-PPR best-ball lobbies. Rebar sees multiple "outs" for Warren to pay off: he could simply out-play Caleb Johnson and seize the lead job, or he could keep his high-leverage receiving role and pop in pass-heavy game scripts. Rebar added that Aaron Rodgers has historically targeted backs—bolstering Warren’s target floor if the veteran quarterback does lean on check-downs behind a revamped Pittsburgh line. In a format where managers aren’t forced to predict the exact weeks Warren spikes, Rebar loves locking in a back who averaged 4.9 yards per carry and handled 71% of Steelers running-back receptions over the final seven games of 2023.

Evan Silva framed Jaylen Warren as a narrative-driven but logical bet in the middle rounds. Aaron Rodgers historically leans on backs he trusts in pass protection and check-downs; Silva doubts third-round rookie Caleb Johnson will earn that confidence quickly. If Johnson misses assignments, Rodgers is ‘going to get pissed,’ opening the door for Warren—already an efficient receiver—to soak up a sizeable snap share. Even in a committee, 60+ targets and low-end RB2 weekly utility are within reach, and there is contingent upside should Rodgers veto the rookie altogether. Silva is modestly ahead of ADP, grabbing Warren whenever he needs floor at the RB30 pocket.

Discussing the Arthur Smith-led Steelers, Rich Hribar noted that Najee Harris (referred to in the transcript as Caleb Johnson) and Jalen Warren will "eat from each other" as long as both are healthy. Smith’s historical tendency to throttle back passing volume means fewer total touches to go around, and Hribar added that neither back projects as a weekly top-20 option unless the other gets hurt. Given the shared workload and a likely bottom-third passing attack, Hribar recommended fading both backs at current ADP and treating either as an injury-contingent play in best-ball builds.

Evan Silva said he is "fairly significantly ahead of ADP" on Jaylen Warren and detailed why the veteran could seize a lead-back workload. Silva argued that Aaron Rodgers’ intolerance for rookie errors puts third-round pick Caleb Johnson on a short leash; the first blown blitz pickup or dropped pass would swing the pendulum toward Warren, whose 83 percent career catch rate and zero recorded drops make him a perfect safety valve. Silva also cited Rodgers’ long history of feeding his backs in the passing game—Hall still averaged 4.8 targets per contest last year—projecting roughly five targets per week for Warren on top of an expanded rushing share in Arthur Smith’s run-centric attack. He noted Pittsburgh’s revamped line (Broderick Jones shifted to LT, Olu Fashanu to RT, a rookie center who “hit a home run” in Round 2, both guards returning) and reminded listeners Warren played hurt early in 2023 (hamstring in August, knee in Week 3), which explains why he saw only eight carries and three targets per game before November. The Steelers collectively ranked seventh in expected fantasy points to running backs even while struggling offensively, so Silva views Warren—now the 101st pick on Underdog—as a smash Season-Long/Best-Ball selection a round ahead of market.

Evan Silva said he is proactively drafting Jaylen Warren, calling the outlook ‘narrative-based but logical.’ Warren owns an 83 percent career catch rate and rarely drops passes, giving him every-down equity if Mike Tomlin leans on the backs the way Silva expects. He believes Pittsburgh’s rebuilt offensive line could be ‘really, really good,’ which combined with Arthur Smith’s arrival should make the attack run-centric. Silva projected heavy carry counts and plenty of designed receptions for Warren, noting his tackle-breaking prowess keeps him on the field even when Najee Harris is healthy. Given the likelihood of a rush-first game script and the chance Warren eventually forces a near-even split or more, Silva views him as a high-upside RB3 who should be scooped a round ahead of ADP in best ball and season-long drafts.

With Najee Harris now in Los Angeles, Ward sees a realistic path to 15-plus touches per game for Warren. He has been hyper-efficient on a limited sample, and even a mediocre Steelers offense could allow him to cruise past his 104.7 ADP on sheer workload. Koerner/Raybon’s aggressive rank makes him an ideal Zero-RB target.

Liz Loza said Pittsburgh is one of the rare backfields where she is willing to draft both runners in Best Ball Mania. Arthur Smith told local media he wants about 500 rushing attempts, a figure that would have led the league by 40 carries last year. Loza is comfortable taking presumed starter Caleb Johnson around pick 80 and scooping Jaylen Warren a round later because that volume can sustain two playable backs. She noted Smith’s history of giving No. 2 backs 35–40% snap shares (Cordarrelle Patterson in 2021, Tyler Allgeier in 2022) and pointed out that Warren led all qualifying RBs with 3.0 yards after contact per rush in 2023. In her view the tandem offers weekly spike-week potential and invaluable injury-contingent upside while costing only mid-round capital.

Justin Herzig urged drafters to be overweight on Jaylen Warren at current ADP. He cited historical research showing third-round rookie running backs hit a usable fantasy season less than 20 % of the time, so new draftee Caleb Johnson is unlikely to leapfrog Warren immediately. Even if the rookie flashes, Warren’s proven pass-catching role and efficiency should still provide weekly RB2/FLEX scores. Herzig reminded listeners that Warren produced 10 startable weeks last season while sharing with Najee Harris and argued there are "several pathways"—injury, rookie ineffectiveness, or pure passing-down usage—for him to clear that mark in 2024. The combination of stable floor and contingent upside makes Warren a smash pick in the middle rounds of Best Ball Mania drafts.

Pat Fantasy Dog Pound urged drafters to grab Jaylen Warren now, before the inevitable price hike that comes once Steelers beat writers crank up the "Warren is the starter" narrative in training camp. He noted that glowing May coach-speak already hints at Warren opening the season as RB1 and expects Underdog rooms to react by pushing his ADP into the high-90s range (97-98 overall). Pat said he is comfortable clicking Warren around pick 120 today, banking double-digit closing-line value while rookies like Roman Hemby fight for touches. Because Warren showed top-15 efficiency in yards after contact per attempt last year and fits Pittsburgh’s plan to lean run-heavy behind their upgraded offensive line, Pat views him as a perfect mid-round anchor for zero-RB or hero-RB builds.

Pat Fantasy Dog Pound clicked Jaylen Warren in Round 5 specifically to dodge the six-team Week-8 bye apocalypse. He wants every flex spot live that week because a single zero ends your entry once the field shrinks to one-on-one matchups. Warren’s early Week-5 bye clears that hurdle while giving drafter’s access to Pittsburgh’s most explosive back—Pat noted Warren’s 5.3 yards per touch and 18% targets-per-route rate both dwarfed Najee Harris last year. Add in Pat’s earlier call for a mid-season role takeover and Warren becomes the perfect combination of upside and schedule insulation for Eliminator builds.

Chris Raybon warned that Jaylen Warren’s fantasy outlook takes a hit after Pittsburgh spent premium draft capital on Caleb Johnson. Raybon said "the writing’s on the wall" that the Steelers do not view Warren as a full-time starter—pointing to Warren’s failure to wrestle the job from Najee Harris despite multiple chances and a costly goal-line fumble last year. He expects Warren to remain a satellite back who handles passing downs and 6-10 carries, limiting him to flex value unless Johnson falters. Raybon recommended downgrading Warren a full tier in both best-ball and redraft rankings.