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Jaylen Warren

Undrafted Steeler looks like a key later-round target

A lot of the earliest No. 2 running backs off the board will be players expected to get plenty of work: AJ Dillon, and perhaps a second runner from teams like Detroit, New Orleans or Atlanta. But one of the more compelling No. 2s who will be selected later is Pittsburgh's Jaylen Warren.

A year ago, the undrafted rookie didn't get a lot of opportunities behind workhorse Najee Harris; just 77 carries and 28 receptions, so an average of just 6-7 total touches per game. But it seems like he should have got more work, since he was a more effective runner (4.9 yards per attempt compared to 3.8 for Harris), caught a higher percentage of passes thrown his way (85 percent compared to 77), and did considerably more with his chances -- nearly half as many scrimmage yards (593 versus 1,263) on a third as many touches. It hasn't gone unnoticed.

"There is no way offensive coordinator Matt Canada can keep Warren off the field as much as he did last season," says Mark Kaboly in The Athletic, adding that Warren has been a standout at OTAs. Obviously the team has a level of trust in Harris, but it seems like the team will need to use Warren a little more -- and has one of the better backups should Harris miss time due to injury.

There haven't been a ton of undrafted running backs to make an impact over the years, but it's a position where it does happen (which is part of the reason why running backs find it difficult to get paid in free agency). On average, there have been about 2-3 undrafted backs each season grading out as regular starters in fantasy leagues (I went with guys who ranked in the top 25 in PPR leagues). Table shows all undrafted running backs who finished in the top 25 for their position this century, sorted by year.

UNDRAFTED RUNNING BACKS IN THE TOP 25, 2000-PRESENT
YearPlayerAttRunNoRecTDPPRRk
2022Austin Ekeler, LAC20491510772218378.71
2021Austin Ekeler, LAC2069117064720349.82
2021Darrel Williams, K.C.144558474528196.021
2021James Robinson, Jac.164767312228177.924
2020James Robinson, Jac.24010704934410252.47
2020J.D. McKissic, Was.85365805893193.417
2019Austin Ekeler, LAC1325579299311313.04
2019Phillip Lindsay, Den.2241011351967197.720
2018Phillip Lindsay, Den.19210373524110222.813
2018Austin Ekeler, LAC106554394046170.825
2017C.J. Anderson, Den.2451007282244177.118
2016LeGarrette Blount, N.E.299116173818234.99
2016Isaiah Crowell, Cle.198952403197209.114
2015Danny Woodhead, S.D.98336807559243.13
2015Chris Ivory, NYJ2471070302178206.711
2014Arian Foster, Hou.26012463832713277.65
2014C.J. Anderson, Den.1798493432410211.311
2014Joique Bell, Det.223860343228200.213
2014Matt Asiata, Min.1645704431210196.214
2014Fred Jackson, Buff.141525665013188.616
2014Chris Ivory, NYJ198821181237154.424
2013Fred Jackson, Buff.2068904738710234.711
2013Danny Woodhead, S.D.106429766058227.412
2013Joique Bell, Det.166650535478222.714
2013Pierre Thomas, N.O.147549775135213.216
2012Arian Foster, Hou.35114244021717306.13
2012BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cin.2781094221046177.821
2012Joique Bell, Det.82414524853159.923
2012Danny Woodhead, N.E.76301404467156.724
2011Arian Foster, Hou.27812245361712309.13
2011Fred Jackson, Buff.170934394426212.614
2011Mike Tolbert, S.D.1214905443310206.316
2011Pierre Thomas, N.O.110562504256184.721
2010Arian Foster, Hou.32716166660418396.01
2010BenJarvus Green-Ellis, N.E.2291008128513199.319
2010Mike Tolbert, S.D.1827352521611188.121
2010Fred Jackson, Buff.222927312157187.222
2010Danny Woodhead, 2TM97547343796162.625
2009Ryan Grant, G.B.28212532519711236.011
2009Fred Jackson, Buff.2371062463714218.713
2009Pierre Thomas, N.O.147793393028196.519
2008Pierre Thomas, N.O.1296253128412193.919
2008Dominic Rhodes, Ind.152538453029185.024
2007Earnest Graham, T.B.2228984932410231.210
2007Kenny Watson, Cin.178763523747207.714
2007Ryan Grant, G.B.188956301458188.117
2007Willie Parker, Pitt.3211316231642183.020
2006Willie Parker, Pitt.33714943122216298.67
2005Willie Parker, Pitt.2551202182185190.018
2004Priest Holmes, K.C.1968921918715216.918
2004Nick Goings, Car.217821453947208.520
2003Priest Holmes, K.C.32014207469027447.01
2002Priest Holmes, K.C.31316157067224442.71
2002Marcel Shipp, Ariz.188834384139216.722
2001Priest Holmes, K.C.32715556261410338.92
2001Dominic Rhodes, Ind.23311043422410226.812
2001Stacey Mack, Jac.2138772316510187.221
2001Jamel White, Cle.126443444186168.124
2001Maurice Smith, Atl.237760192306154.025
2000Tony Richardson, K.C.147697584686210.521
2000James Allen, Chi.2901120392913198.124

Austin Ekeler is the gold standard here, the No. 1 fantasy back a year ago and the No. 2 the year before that. James Robinson also was a standout for a couple of years before an Achilles injury derailed his career.

Other top performers from this century include fantasy legends like Priest Holmes and Arian Foster. Many others made it into the top 25 for their pass-catching work: J.D. McKissic, Danny Woodhead and Fred Jackson. That might be Warren's best route to relevance in 2023: emerging as the team's primary option in passing situations. It's a strength of Harris, too, but Warren's superior effectiveness (in terms of both catch rate and after-the-catch performance) could help him get on the field more.

--Andy Richardson

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