Jaylen Warren Just Can’t Catch a Break: Examining Rico Dowdle’s Impact on the Pittsburgh Backfield

Kevin Szafraniec
March 17, 2026

Kevin Szafraniec outlines the fantasy implications that Pittsburgh’s signing of Rico Dowdle in free agency will have on the Steelers’ backfield.

Jaylen Warren truthers have been waiting for a chance to see him operate as Pittsburgh’s lead back ever since his second-year breakout in 2023. Unfortunately, the presence of 2022 first-rounder Najee Harris always overshadowed the former UDFA, even if the duo’s production suggested that their roles should have been flipped.

When Harris left in free agency in 2025, the stage was set for Warren to finally claim the lead role in Pittsburgh. That is, until the team selected Kaleb Johnson on Day 2 of the draft and signed Kenneth Gainwell in free agency. Johnson disappointed; Gainwell did not.

With Pittsburgh’s coaching staff moving on following the 2025 season — and Gainwell leaving with them — there was a sliver of hope that Warren would finally get a shot to be a true lead back in his age-27 season. Regrettably, Pittsburgh’s signing of Rico Dowdle, another 27-year-old former UDFA, dashed those hopes.

But with neither Dowdle ($6.1M per year) nor Warren ($6.0M per year) separating themselves from a financial perspective, the top spot on the depth chart should be up for grabs. With this in mind, how should fantasy managers be playing the Steelers’ backfield in their 2026 drafts?

Be sure to check out the rest of our series on the top landing spots from free agency!

Volume 2 of the 2026 RotoViz Rookie Draft Guide is out now! Jam-packed with comprehensive player profiles, advanced stats, player comps, strategies, and rankings from the RotoViz staff, it is a must-have for every fantasy manager who wants to crush their best ball, dynasty, and redraft leagues in 2026!

Keep an eye out for Volume 3, which will drop after the 2026 NFL Draft!

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Kevin Szafraniec

Lead Writer and Full-time Cat Dad. Sneakerhead, Record Collector, Beatmaker, Lord of the Rings Superfan, and Jeopardy Enthusiast in my free time. Follow me on X and Bluesky @thecatdadff

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