3 Second-Year Steelers Will Define Pittsburgh’s Success
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) uses his blocker Mason Cole (61) to get through the Las Vegas Raiders defensive line during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on December 24, 2022. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs Las Vegas Raiders Week 16
Much has been made of the Pittsburgh Steelers most recent draft class, and rightfully so. Joey Porter Jr., Broderick Jones, and Keanu Benton all have a legitimate shot at being big-time players in black and gold.
But don’t let the shiny new toys distract from what’s perhaps even more important, last year’s draft class and key free-agent signings as they head into Year 2. Hopes are high for massive progression from Kenny Pickett and George Pickens. And there’s a third player likely to have a breakout season in his second year in the NFL. He isn’t a top draft pick, or even a draft pick at all. It’s free agent Jaylen Warren, who can solidify his role with the Steelers this season and provide comfort both on the field and in the front office.
In the wake of George Pickens’ claim of being snubbed by the Pro Bowl, it’s worth evaluating all of the offensive rookie contributors. Expectations were incredibly high for Pickens thanks to his incredible athletic profile and his circus-style catches during training camp. The second-round draft pick certainly lived up to the hype – or most of it. He even made a few grabs that could be contenders for catch of the year, in particular a one-armed snag against the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, not all of the numbers were there on his stat line.
Pickens only scored four touchdowns in his rookie campaign, which makes it a stretch to tout him as a Pro Bowl-caliber player. One could argue that inaccurate passes and underthrown balls are somewhat responsible for both his highlight-reel receptions and his lack of production in the end zone. Certainly, an improved Kenny Pickett will provide a lot more data on Pickens this season.
Meanwhile, on nearly every occasion his name was called, Jaylen Warren produced yards and provided a spark for the offense. He averaged nearly five yards per carry on his 77 rushes last season, behind a line that has been all but overhauled.
Will his number of carries increase? Almost certainly, but it won’t be a 50/50 split with Najee Harris, who had nearly 200 more touches last season. Instead, it’s reasonable to expect a more defined role as both a runner and a pass catcher this season.
This does provide some comfort for both fans and the front office leading into the 2023 season. With Warren as a trustworthy, versatile back who can both carry and catch, the load taken off of Harris will give him greater longevity. This is crucial as Tomlin and the Rooneys evaluate Harris’ fifth-year option. This is a model employed by the division-rival Cleveland Browns, who have limited Nick Chubb’s workload through continued employment of Kareem Hunt for the past three seasons.
There is precedent for this in Pittsburgh as well. Undrafted running backs have carried legitimate workloads to their superstar counterparts. “Fast” Willie Parker, who set the record for the longest run in Super Bowl history, worked alongside Jerome Bettis for years. I don’t see “Fast” Warren T-shirts being printed in the Strip District in the near future, but Warren could certainly continue to grow into his role similar to that of Isaac Redman, who supported the bruising first-round draft pick Rashard Mendehall.
As Pickett’s accuracy and decision making improve, Pickens poses a greater threat down the field, which only enhances the utility of Warren’s game. His ability to get downfield in a hurry, both as a runner and as a screen or checkdown receiver, will be critical. Add a healthy Calvin Austin as a threat on the outside in a similar capacity, plus Allen Robinson’s reliability as a veteran, and teams will have to honor the speed and threat of being exposed over the top and underneath.
It’s always exciting to get a look at your new draft picks, with all of their potential yet unchallenged by actual NFL game tape. But as camp rolls into pre-season and kickoff on Sept. 10, pay close attention to Pickens and Warren who, along with their fellow 2022 rookie-classman Pickett, will be leading the way into the future.
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