Since Jaylen Warren returned from injury in Week 6, the Steelers have been back to operating a running back by committee approach that is very much a “1A and 1B” situation. While lopsided game script is somewhat at play in the team’s past two games, Warren has handled 60 offensive snaps to Najee Harris’ 64 snaps. It’s been that close.
However, Harris has been much more efficient and effective with his opportunities, rushing for over 100 yards in both Week 6 and Week 7. Meanwhile, Warren is averaging 2.8 yards per carry within the same span. The argument that Warren is actually the better back could and has been made many times over the past couple seasons, yet that’s simply not been the case in recent contests. So where does that leave Warren’s value entering Monday Night Football?
In short, it’s very difficult to get too excited about Warren’s viability in Week 8, whether it’s in season-long or in DFS. Though the Steelers’ offense did look more explosive with Russell Wilson under center last Sunday, Pittsburgh still can’t be considered an offensive powerhouse — and that sentiment is reflected in the fact that this matchup owns an incredibly low implied total on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Giants did allow a mind-numbing 269 rushing yards to the Eagles in Week 7, but even in a great matchup, this feels like a rushing attack that can not support multiple backs at the same time. Warren should be looking at double-digit touches this evening, yet he’d need to find the end zone to bring back value, especially when you consider he’s the Steelers’ fourth-most expensive asset in Showdown (not counting back-up QB Justin Fields). I assure you, there’s better ways to spend the $7,200 it would take to get Warren into a lineup.
Start or Sit Jaylen Warren? Sit.
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
