It’s been decades since drafting a running back in the first round was sexy. Now, when a team does, it’s criticized to the nth degree. The Pittsburgh Steelers did just that when they selected Najee Harris 24th overall in the 2021 NFL draft.
It’s no longer about who’s the better back; it’s about who’s more effective and that distinction goes to undrafted Jaylen Warren.
Buy Steelers TicketsWhen asked how he plans to handle the running back snap distribution going forward, Mike Tomlin wasn’t his usual emphatic self in supporting his struggling star. His response leads one to believe Harris is no longer the back to get the lion’s share of carries.
“We acknowledge that Jaylen is a significant player and a guy that’s
capable of being a significant component of what we do, as is Naj [Najee Harris],” Tomlin said. “We’ll make decisions about how we divvy up the labor based on what’s most advantageous in an effort to create victory this week.”
FWIW: Najee Harris played 30 snaps to Jaylen Warren's 23 against the Browns. Outside of two back-to-back runs of 21 and 17 yards each, Not including his back-to-back runs of 21 and 17 yards, Harris averaged 1.6 yards per carry. Warren averaged 3.3 ypc, but had 4 catches for 66yd https://t.co/wLiBlVroK8
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 19, 2023
“[Warren is] just making plays when given the opportunity. Here’s a guy that
did similar things as a rookie and has done some really good things in the team development process. It’s probably a natural maturation process for us to give him more opportunities for it to transpire in-stadium.”
This season is pivotal for the third-year back, as the Steelers have to decide in May if they want to pick up his fifth-year option (an additional year for first-round draft picks). Based on playtime, the cost projection from Over The Cap is $7.089 million and fully guaranteed once exercised.
A flat-out extension isn’t off the table, either. But for Harris, 25, to get either, he must put together games that don’t end in 60-yard (37.5 average so far this season) stat lines.
