FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Jaylen Warren Leads Backfield In Week 12

By Jared Smola | Updated on Fri, Nov 22 2024 2:08 PM UTC

Steelers RB Jaylen Warren led the team with 45 rushing yards and scored Pittsburgh's only rushing TD in Thursday night's loss to the Browns. Warren was out-carried 16 to 11 by RB Najee Harris but averaged 4.1 yards per carry to Harris' 2.6. Warren also out-targeted Harris five to two. And, for the first time all season, Warren out-snapped Harris (57% to 40%). Much of that advantage came on passing downs, with Warren running 19 routes to Harris' 10. But Warren still edged Harris in snaps 20 to 17 otherwise.

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

After a slow start to the season that included hamstring and knee injuries, Warren has now tallied at least 12 opportunities (carries + targets) in five straight games. His per-game averages over that span:

11.0 carries
48 rushing yards
3.4 targets
2.6 catches
21 receiving yards

Warren ranked 34th among RBs in PPR points per game across his previous four outings and will likely climb a bit higher after Week 12.

He's seeing enough action to be in RB3 or Flex consideration, but the schedule won't do him any favors. Pittsburgh has the toughest RB schedule from Weeks 13-17, with all five opponents ranking top-13 in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Harris might also struggle for more than RB3 value the rest of the way considering that schedule and Warren's recent role.

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks 1st among 133 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.