Steelers Place Second-Round Tender On Jaylen Warren
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed the second-round restricted tender on restricted free-agent running back Jaylen Warren on Monday, according to his agents. The tender is worth $5.346 million. Although technically not official yet, placing the second-round tender pretty much guarantees that the 26-year-old will be back in Pittsburgh in 2025. Fellow backfield mate Najee Harris is an unrestricted free agent this week and has a good chance of not returning, which would make Warren much more attractive in fantasy next season, depending on what other moves the Steelers make at the position in free agency or the draft. Any team that wants to sign Warren now would have to offer up second-round draft compensation. Although Harris had another 1,000-yard season in 2024, Warren has looked better than him at times the last two years and has averaged a healthy 4.8 yards per carry in his three NFL seasons.
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said on Tuesday at the NFL Combine that the team will tender an offer to impending restricted free-agent running back Jaylen Warren. The second-round tender will be worth $5.2 million, while an original-round tender for Warren would be for $3.19 million. If the Steelers give him the original-round tender and he signs with another team, they wouldn't receive draft-pick compensation because he wasn't drafted in 2022. Meanwhile, Najee Harris will be an unrestricted free agent after the Steelers declined his fifth-year option. The 26-year-old Warren's fantasy value in 2025 will all depend on if he stays in Pittsburgh and also whether Harris is re-signed. Warren looked ready to break out after going for 784 rushing yards in 2023, but he took a step back in 2024 with 120 carries, 511 yards and just one rushing score in 15 regular-season games.
Steelers Expected To Tender An Offer To Jaylen Warren
The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to tender an offer to impending restricted free-agent running back Jaylen Warren this offseason, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. Dulac also goes on to say that he thinks there's a strong chance the Steelers will re-sign fellow RB Najee Harris despite the fact that the team didn't pick up the former first-rounder's fifth-year option. Warren, a former undrafted free agent, has played more of a secondary role to Harris in his first three years in the NFL, but he's been extremely productive with his limited opportunities, averaging 4.8 yards per carry on 346 rushing attempts for 1,674 rushing yards in 48 games. Placing a tender on Warren would give the Steelers a backup option in case the don't end up bringing Harris back. If Warren returns to Pittsburgh and Harris does not, Warren could be the team's lead back in 2025.
Jaylen Warren Targeted Five Times In Wild Card Loss
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren totaled just six rushing yards on two carries and posted four receptions for 19 receiving yards in a 28-14 playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Both Warren and backfield mate Najee Harris were completely shut down by the Ravens' run defense but managed to contribute in the passing game. While Harris out-gained Warren through the air, the latter's five targets tied wideout George Pickens for the team lead. Warren, a restricted free agent this offseason, is likely to be retained by Pittsburgh and could be given RB1 duties in the 2025-2026 campaign with Harris now entering unrestricted free agency.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren closed the regular season with a quiet performance and will look to get more involved against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. Warren played well against Baltimore in 2024, averaging 80 total yards and 4.5 receptions over two meetings with his AFC North foe. While it has been difficult to project Warren's utilization on a weekly basis, he should get plenty of opportunities on Saturday. The Ravens are heavy favorites at home, meaning Pittsburgh may be forced to shy away from the run and push the ball downfield. Najee Harris is a capable pass-catcher, but Warren has been the more prolific receiver over the past two seasons. Because of this, the 26-year-old offers some upside in PPR fantasy contests this weekend.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren logged six carries for 21 yards and failed to haul in his one target in a Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Although neither Warren nor Najee Harris were able to get much going on the ground, the former's lack of usage through the air on Saturday night was a bit puzzling. Harris earned five targets while Warren was held without a reception for the first time this season. His utilization has been inconsistent, but Warren continues to look like the most explosive back in Pittsburgh while demonstrating an ability to break tackles at a high level. The third-year pro will carry some RB2 value in PPR playoff fantasy leagues and DFS contests alike when the wild-card round kicks off next weekend.
Jaylen Warren Off The Injury Report, A Mid-Range RB2 Against The Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (ribs) is no longer on the injury report and will suit up against the Cincinnati Bengals for the regular season finale. He logged full practices on Wednesday and Thursday, showing encouraging signs of his availability on Saturday as the Steelers host the Bengals in Week 18. The Steelers are currently on a three-game losing streak and will look to eliminate the Bengals from playoff contention with a win on Saturday. Over the past two games, Warren has accumulated 204 all-purpose years and is one of the more explosive players on this Steelers offense. Fantasy managers can deploy Warren as a low-end RB2/flex play in a plus matchup as he comes in as RB16 in the latest RotoBaller running back rankings.
Jaylen Warren Upgrades To Full Participation On Wednesday
According to the team, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (ribs) upgraded to full participation during Wednesday's practice session. This is a great sign, as Warren was listed as limited participation during Tuesday's initial session. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status on Thursday in case he faces a setback. Over the past two weeks, Warren has logged more offensive snaps than the presumed No.1 option in the backfield, Najee Harris. Warren has averaged 11.5 attempts and 5.5 targets per game during this two-game stretch. If Warren is off the injury report on Thursday, he should be viewed as a solid RB2 in PPR formats facing the Cincinnati Bengals, given his elite receiving ability.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (ribs) was limited on Tuesday due to a rib injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the week in case he remains limited during practice. During their Week 17 tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs, Warren logged 11 attempts and brought in five passes for 112 total yards. This was his second straight game, logging at least double-digit rushing attempts. In addition, Warren saw more offensive snaps than Najee Harris for the second straight contest as well. Before this two-game stretch, Warren averaged 8.6 attempts per game since Week 6, while Harris dominated the snaps. Going forward, fantasy managers should expect Warren to have a slightly higher ceiling than Harris, especially in PPR formats, given his elite pass-catching abilities.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren turned 11 carries into 71 yards and six targets into five catches and 41 receiving yards in a Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Warren was one of the few bright spots for the Steelers' offensive attack on Wednesday and consistently looked explosive with the ball in his hands. He saw more opportunities than backfield mate Najee Harris, who was ineffective for most of the contest. Warren's solid performance early in the first quarter earned him a few opportunities in the red zone, one of which he took in for an eight-yard score that was unfortunately nullified by a holding penalty. The 26-year-old has logged at least 92 total yards in each of his past two games and will look to end the campaign on a hot streak against the Cincinnati Bengals next week.
Jaylen Warren
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Steelers
