Pittsburgh Steelers · 2026
Who is Jaylen Warren’s handcuff?
Explore the full Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart, player roles and draft history
The published backfield pick
Rico Dowdle
Behind Jaylen Warren · PIT
Rico Dowdle is the preferred candidate in the published analysis, but this backfield has committee uncertainty. An absence may spread work across more than one player.
Dowdle is the listed RB2 behind Warren.
Handcuff score
Backup opportunity, not projected points or an injury probability.
Analysis published . Status and role notes reflect that board.
Check official availability and your league’s transaction rules before adding.
If Jaylen Warren misses time
Pittsburgh’s Sept. 8 Week 1 depth chart lists Jaylen Warren first and Rico Dowdle second. Dowdle is the clear replacement projection, though the offense expects a one-two punch.
Pittsburgh’s Sept. 8 Week 1 depth chart lists Jaylen Warren first and Rico Dowdle second. Dowdle is the clear replacement projection, though the offense expects a one-two punch.
Back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher signed in free agency and, per ESPN reporting, the better bet to handle early downs — he also knows Mike McCarthy's scheme from Dallas. Listed RB2 only nominally; if Warren's knee flares up Dowdle is an immediate every-down lead back.
- availability_unverified
- stale_availability
- committee risk
Why this candidate scores here
Other candidates in this backfield
Eli Heidenreich
change of pace · score 38/100
Riley Nowakowski
fullback · score 24/100
Candidates and scores are from the same published board. A split workload can limit the upside of any one backup.
The production behind the names
2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.
| Player | Games with stats | Carries | Receptions | Total yards | PPR / game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 211 | 40 | 1291 | 13.6 |
| 17 | 236 | 39 | 1373 | 12.7 |
Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025
Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025
Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.
Sources behind the analysis
Published analysis may use automated research. How evidence and recommendations are handled.
Already rostered? Explore another backfield.
Get the next window’s board.
Free board emails before and after game windows.