Steelers 2024 Roster vs. Predicted 2025 Roster, Running Back Edition
Back with the third edition of the series, where we compare the Steelers’ 2024 roster to a projected 2025 depth chart. This time, we’re diving into the running back position, which has been under the spotlight this offseason following the departure of former first-round pick Najee Harris. The 2025 offseason has brought about a near-complete revamp of the room, so I’m excited to dive into the analysis.
Najee Harris vs Jaylen Warren
I’m a firm believer that Najee Harris was an extremely underrated back and perhaps underappreciated by the Steelers fanbase throughout his tenure since being drafted in 2021. While his four 1,000-yard seasons might seem like an overblown stat to some, the consistency and reliability he brought to the offense were central to his value. For Najee, the biggest issue was that his skill set didn’t quite align with Arthur Smith’s scheme. His lack of acceleration and less-than-ideal vision made it difficult for him to thrive in a zone-based system.
Jaylen Warren will enter the 2025 season as the incumbent RB1 due to his established history with the team and the way he has captured the hearts of fans through his change of pace and elite blocking ability. That said, Warren is not without flaws. Some of these are tied to his skill set, while others come down to plain bad luck. For example, even though he has good burst, I do not see him as a natural fit for a zone scheme. He is not an elite zone runner, and his ball security is a legitimate concern, with fumbles appearing too often in his RB2 role. Durability is also a concern, as he has dealt with injuries despite handling a limited workload as a complementary back.
2025 will be a huge opportunity for Warren to stamp his authority on the room, however he will have fierce competition throughout the season to hold the title of RB1.
Grade: Worse
Jaylen Warren vs Kaleb Johnson
We’ve already discussed who Warren is as a player and the expectation that he will begin the season as the Steelers’ RB1. However, comparing him to Kaleb Johnson is an interesting debate, as I would not be surprised if the rookie eventually takes over the starting role during the season. Johnson is an incredibly talented back who, despite running in the 4.5s at the combine, is more than fast enough to thrive in an outside zone scheme. This is largely due to his elite vision, which makes him a great fit for Arthur Smith’s system.
At 6’1″ and 225 pounds, Johnson is certainly not a small back. He brings a power element to his game, finishing second in the nation in average yards after contact. At the same time, he can break explosive plays, ranking third nationally in designed runs of over 15 yards. Johnson has openly acknowledged that improving his pass protection is key to getting on the field more often. If he can refine that part of his game, I can easily see him becoming the lead back down the stretch due to his overall profile and skill set.
Grade: Better
Cordarrelle Patterson vs Kenneth Gainwell
Patterson was signed shortly after the NFL announced its changes to the kickoff system, but he offered little to nothing in that area during the Steelers’ season. Outside of his game against the Colts, where he rushed for 43 yards, his 2024 season was rather disappointing when given chances to get the ball in his hands.
Kenneth Gainwell, on the other hand, should be a solid third running back for the Steelers after coming off a Super Bowl victory with the Eagles. Gainwell recorded 290 rushing yards in 2024, which are respectable numbers for a back sharing touches with Saquon Barkley. He likely provides a reliable change-of-pace option with third-down upside if either Warren or Johnson misses time during the season.
Grade: Better
Once again, I believe this is a better running back room than last season. Kaleb Johnson gives the Steelers a scheme-fit option with a ton of talent and the potential to become the leader of the group sooner rather than later. On top of that, having Warren still in the mix provides the team with a back who blocks better than most and continues to be the gritty, hard-nosed runner we’ve seen throughout his career makes for an exciting prospect in 2025.
What do you think? Do you agree with the grades I handed out? Let me know below!
Couple of things here. It is correct that Warren’s running style is ill-fitting for the outside zone blocking scheme, as previously mentioned in one of Coach Kevin Smith’s articles by multiple people. Could Pgh simply chose to employ the power/gap blocking scheme when Warren carries the ball?
As to Warren’s ball security, if he can pay sufficent attention to detail so as not to fumble as much as Franco Harris or Sidney Thornton once did, that’s about as much as can be expected.
You could change the scheme depending on the back, as long as you are fine with letting the defense know what is coming.
Indeed PGBSF, that is exactly what I asked Coach Kevin Smith. Guess the OL will still have to actually block well, regardless of ballcarrier. Coach wasn’t altogether confident in the OL’s ability to block the outside zone scheme. We’ll all just have to see how it goes.
Until you see Johnson in a live stadium you have to say the group is lesser. For all the criticisms of Harris he was a back that put up four productive if not spectacular seasons. Right now, there isn’t a player on the roster that you know can replicate that production.
I believe the additions of Johnson and Gainwell will make this group better in 2025. We just need to see it.
You should really compare Harris and Johnson as I think Warren will keep the same role as in the past with Gainwell just being depth.
Yes.