Jaylen Warren better RB than Najee

[ETL]

According to Sport Illustrated - Warren is ranked the 19th best RB in the league and Najee is ranked 22nd. Watching how they played last year I actually would agree. If I had to choose one of these guys over the other - I would choose Warren. What I don’t understand is that Warren’s 40 time was 4.55 and Najee was 4.45 but Warren plays much faster. Antonio Brown also played faster than his 40 time. And Puka Nakua ran 4.57 but plays awfully fast also.

what are we seeing in these players that makes them look “fast”? Can it be measured? Is it side to side movement? Is shuttle times a better parameter to look at? Or are we splitting tiny hairs and to run 4.5 or 4.6 is actually really fast and so these tenths of seconds don’t really make a difference.

https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news...s-najee-harris

[Craic]

I get excited when Warren touches the ball, like I know good things will happen (unless he fumbles). But Najee seems like he is more well-rounded as a RB. I have absolutely no stats or arguments to back this up at the moment so this is purely opinion-based, but it's just something that seems true to me as I think back through last season.

[86WARD]

Given the back as a whole? I’d take Najee over Warren.

[lipps83]

I like having them both and can't wait to see what the tandem can do together behind this new line, with a semi-competent coordinator calling the plays.

[tube517]

Jaylen is the more explosive runner.

Najee is the power runner, better blocker.

Both good receivers w/Najee getting a slight edge. Both probably have big hands!

[DesertSteel]

I don't recall Najee testing in the 40 prior to the draft, so I question the validity of that 4.45. But yes, Warren is a better running back.

[oneforthetoe]

I like them both, but Warren is getting a bit of a break because the defenses are getting gassed at times hitting Najee, then Warren comes in fresh.

[BlackAndGold]

Warren plays a different role. Increase his role, no guarantee it translates.

Both are good players that work together very well.

[Dwinsgames]

straight line speed ( 40 times ) IMO are not the best indicators of a players ability to navigate traffic , shuttle times may be a better indicator but still not perfect ...., they need a setup with heavy bags coming at you from all angles randomly and a 25 yard run through it to more accurately define RB speed and vision IMO

[pczach]

straight line speed ( 40 times ) IMO are not the best indicators of a players ability to navigate traffic , shuttle times may be a better indicator but still not perfect ...., they need a setup with heavy bags coming at you from all angles randomly and a 25 yard run through it to more accurately define RB speed and vision IMO

Tape of a running back playing in different offensive schemes and formations is still the best way to see what a runner can do and how they see holes, set up defenders, and evade tackles. It's tough to simulate all the variations and reaction times of real football in a combine or training camp situation.

Some are only good in I formation, but struggle in other concepts.

Some are great when the OL is playing power, but struggle with zone blocking schemes.

Some have only played in one system, and it is hard to project how they will play in another.

There are some backs that can only do well in a particular scheme. There some backs that can do things well in multiple schemes and offenses. Then there are those that can do everything well in just about every scheme or offense, which is rare.

They all have varying degrees of being able to read blocks.

The only thing I know is that the running back position is about creativity and instincts within the structured blocking in front of them. It's why drills rarely tell the tale well enough. Relying on film is the best way to get a read on players, and good backs that didn't play against good competition are often not believed in until they play against professional players.

Pure running ability is as much art as it is anything else.

[Voice of Reason]

Jaylen is the more explosive runner.

Najee is the power runner, better blocker.

This.

[ETL]

Pure running ability is as much art as it is anything else.

True. Heck LeVeon Bell would even delay and pause waiting for a hole to develop so any speed advantage disappeared with his delay.

[Craic]

True. Heck LeVeon Bell would even delay and pause waiting for a hole to develop so any speed advantage disappeared with his delay.

What's even more amazing about Le'Veon was that he made the O line look much better than they were.

[Hawkman]

What's even more amazing about Le'Veon was that he made the O line look much better than they were.

Not sure I totally agree with the OLine statement. He ran behind Pouncey and DeCastro, two all pros. Foster was one of the smartest Olinemen in the the game at the time. With his running style, I’m not sure how well Bell would do with another line.

[hawaiiansteeler]

[hawaiiansteeler]

[tube68]

He does need to tighten up on fumbles but that play should have been blown dead if his forward progeess is pushed back. Too many inconsistencies with the calls on this particular rule

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

[ALLD]

Okay they are not Franco and Rocky, but they are pretty good. They need more passes out of the backfield.

[Craic]

Not sure I totally agree with the OLine statement. He ran behind Pouncey and DeCastro, two all pros. Foster was one of the smartest Olinemen in the the game at the time. With his running style, I’m not sure how well Bell would do with another line.

just saw this... remember that as soon as he was gone, our O Line suddenly looked very weak.

[DesertSteel]

just saw this... remember that as soon as he was gone, our O Line suddenly looked very weak.

I also remember that Bell looked very average behind the Jets O-line.

[EzraTank]

I like having both. They are a great change of pace for each other. It's like towards the end of Bettis's career when they had Willie Parker. It was great to use Bettis as the battering ram to tire and weaken the defense and then bring in Parker to blow by them when they were exhausted. That 75 yard TD run in Superbowl 40 by Parker was a perfect example.

[Born2Steel]

I'm not sure what the Steelers do at the end of this season as far as the RB goes.

Najee Harris 6'1"-242 26years old, UFA

Jaylen Warren 5'8"-215 26years old, year3 rookie contract, RFA

Cordarrelle Patterson 6'2"-220 33years old, 1yr $3.7M contract remaining, 950K cap dead hit.

Aaron Shampklin 5'10"-195 25years old, practice squad contract

Jonathan Ward 6'-202 27years old, practice squad contract

I do get the whole 'mileage' thing when it comes to RBs. But age and lack of snaps has to be a consideration as well.

What do you guys see is plan A?

[DesertSteel]

Resign Warren and draft a RB in round 4-5. Also sign a veteran RB for a two year deal.

[86WARD]

Re-sign Harris and Warren. Let Patterson go.

[oneforthetoe]

I think they could re-sign them both running backs if they don't actually re-sign both QB's. If they somehow are able to re-sign both QB's then I would expect Najee to go elsewhere. That's a tough decision because it could hurt the team a little in the short run unless they can draft a replacement for Najee. Warren is a nice piece, but not an every down back, imo.

[Mojouw]

I think Warren is an RFA, so they can re-sign him for salary cap dust. Let everyone else go.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Jaylen Warren suffered another injury setback preparing for the Ravens in Week 11. Here's why the talented Steelers running back will never carry the load.

https://stillcurtain.com/latest-jayl...b-01jcrgbpbctg

[ETL]

These running backs unfortunately are used and abused and forgotten. As it is currently structured there is much more risk to paying big money to a RB or using a high draft pick on them than finding someone in later rounds and then cutting them after 3 years and then doing the same thing again.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

These running backs unfortunately are used and abused and forgotten. As it is currently structured there is much more risk to paying big money to a RB or using a high draft pick on them than finding someone in later rounds and then cutting them after 3 years and then doing the same thing again.

Yup, like Chuba Hubbard 4 year $33million extension. He is young and a staple of the offense on a bad team, but I cant see the Steelers doing that with Najee.

IMO Najee is better than Hubbard and we forget what it was like having to hope that Bennie Snell, Jaylen Samuels, etc could contribute...but I cant see them tagging or paying Najee rather than look to the draft again for a inexpensive option at RB next year.

[Born2Steel]

According to what I could find on the Internet, Najee has a market value around $9M per season. I don't know what goes into that value calculator, or if he gets that offer in FA.