An effective best ball strategy and season-long formats are to draft a team’s backfield where some ambiguity exists. The Pittsburgh Steelers represent an example of that early on in the 2025 fantasy draft season. It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base, myself included, is frustrated with the lack of postseason success. In addition, the consistent end-of-season collapses happen. However, in the fantasy, we need to put our personal feelings aside. There is value in all teams, and you need look no further than the Steelers’ rushing offense.
Invest in Both Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren in Best Ball Drafts
Steelers’ Rush Offense Has Produced Fantasy Success Under Mike Tomlin
Dating back to 2019, Mike Tomlin’s teams have produced a fantasy-relevant running back. The RB1 in the Steelers offense has finished in the top-24 in running back fantasy points scored in five of the last six seasons. The results are the following:
- 2019: 18th
- 2020: 27th
- 2021: 3rd
- 2022: 14th
- 2023: 22nd
- 2024: 18th
Why do we say all this? Because in best ball drafts, rookie Kaleb Johnson currently goes off Underdog draft boards as the RB26 and an ADP of 75. That makes him a solid value already. Johnson is profiling as the Steelers’ lead back as we get deeper into the off-season. Reports out of OTAs state that Johnson is showing well in pass protection. Being able to pick up the blitz is a huge part of rookie running back development and garnering a large snap share. Johnson looks to be in line for a major role in the Pittsburgh offense.
Not to be overlooked is holdover running back Jaylen Warren. Last season, Warren averaged 4.3 yards per carry and caught 38 balls for the Steelers. He represents another fantasy value, currently going in the eighth round of best ball drafts. Warren has shown he can be the lead back when called upon. Last season, from weeks 11-17, Warren produced double-digit fantasy points five times while averaging 11.24 points per game. In perspective, that per-game output would have finished as a top-24 fantasy running back. That is a significant value because of where Warren currently goes as the RB32. If given the opportunity, Warren will outperform his ADP.
Steelers Are Going to Run The Ball Under Coordinator Arthur Smith
One thing we know: the Steelers are going to run the ball with Arthur Smith as the playcaller. Last season, Pittsburgh finished in the top four in rushing attempts and top 11 in rushing yards. Smith has a history of running back success. Despite his somewhat disastrous tenure as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Smith’s rushing offense produced fantasy-relevant running backs. In 2022, Tyler Algier was a 1000-yard rusher, and in 2023, Bijan Robinson finished as the RB9. During Smith’s tenure as the coordinator in Tennessee, Derrick Henry thrived. Henry finished as the overall RB5 in 2019 and the RB3 with 2027 rushing yards in 2020.
Kaleb Johnson is a Perfect Fit For Steelers’ Run Game Scheme
With the free-agent departure of Najee Harris to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers, in turn, answered by drafting Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft. Johnson fits well with the Steelers’ zone run blocking scheme. Johnson performs well in the read and one-cut runner. In addition, the Steelers’ offensive line is forecast to be improved this season, with Troy Fautanu returning from injury. Fautanu played in just one regular-season game last year and brings a high PFF rating with him.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, despite a bottom-third passing offense, produced a combined 2147 total yards and over four yards per carry in 2024. You add to that a competent quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, which only helps the run game because Rodgers, you put eight in the box against him. Invest in the Steelers’ running game in 2025, and you can thank us at LWOS later!
Main Photo: [Jeffrey Becker] – USA Today Sports
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