The full backfield depth chart
Every running back and fullback assigned to Pittsburgh Steelers, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.
Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.
Every back: role, upside and obstacles
The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.
RB1 · Three-down back
Jaylen Warren
Age 27 · 5 years of NFL experience · active
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed
Named the Week 1 starter over Dowdle — a quick, tough runner and one of the league's better pass-protecting backs, which is what keeps him on the field on third down. Pittsburgh has been clear this is a split, not a workhorse job.
Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.
Path to more work
He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.
Why the work could go elsewhere
A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.
The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.
Draft investment
Undrafted
He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
In 2025, his 16 recorded games include 211 carries and 40 receptions on 45 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.
Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.
Player research sources
RB2 · Early-down runner
Rico Dowdle
Age 28 · 7 years of NFL experience · active
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed
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.
Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.
Path to more work
The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Jaylen Warren. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.
Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Jaylen Warren. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.
Why the work could go elsewhere
An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.
The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.
Draft investment
Undrafted
He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 236 carries and 39 receptions on 50 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.
Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.
Player research sources
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed
Undrafted rookie rounding out the depth chart behind Warren and Dowdle. Special-teams body with no projected offensive role.
Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.
Path to more work
His path begins with an opening behind Jaylen Warren. The dated board currently prefers Rico Dowdle for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.
Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.
Why the work could go elsewhere
A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
2026 · Round 7 · Pick 230
Drafted by PIT; not necessarily his current team.
A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.
Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.
Player research sources
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed
Rookie fullback used as a blocker in heavy packages and on special teams. No role in the running back rotation.
Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.
Path to more work
His path begins with an opening behind Jaylen Warren. The dated board currently prefers Rico Dowdle for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.
Why the work could go elsewhere
A fullback’s place on the chart represents a different assignment from the running-back queue. Blocking or situational touches do not make him the next lead runner when an RB is absent.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
2026 · Round 5 · Pick 169
Drafted by PIT; not necessarily his current team.
A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.
Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.
Player research sources
Unlisted · Role under review
Lew Nichols
Age 25 · 1 years of NFL experience · practice squad
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Lew Nichols is a second-year player listed by PIT at RB, from Central Michigan. The official roster lists him at 5-10 and 220 pounds.
Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.
Path to more work
A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.
Why the work could go elsewhere
The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
2023 · Round 7 · Pick 235
Drafted by GB; not necessarily his current team.
A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.
His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.
Player research sources
Unlisted · Role under review
Max Hurleman
Age 24 · 1 years of NFL experience · practice squad
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Max Hurleman is a second-year player listed by PIT at WR, from Notre Dame. The official roster lists him at 5-11 and 200 pounds. The roster feed classifies him as a running back, while Pittsburgh currently lists him at wide receiver.
Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.
Path to more work
A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.
Why the work could go elsewhere
The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
Draft history unavailable
A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.
His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.
Player research sources
Unlisted · Role under review
Travis Homer
Age 28 · 8 years of NFL experience · practice squad
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Travis Homer is an eight-year veteran listed by PIT at RB, from Miami. The official roster lists him at 5-10 and 211 pounds.
Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.
Path to more work
A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.
Why the work could go elsewhere
The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.
Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.
Draft investment
2019 · Round 6 · Pick 204
Drafted by SEA; not necessarily his current team.
A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.
Draft record sourceWhat the recorded workload tells us
No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.
His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.
Player research sources
