Who Should I Start? Jaylen Warren or Jaleel McLaughlin

Friday, September 6, 7:18 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) was a full participant on Friday for the second day in a row and was removed from the final injury report for Week 1's contest on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Warren was listed as limited in the team's first official practice of the year, creating some uncertain as to whether he'd be available for the season opener. However, the 25-year-old has now been cleared and will suit up against Atlanta as he continues to share Pittsburgh's backfield with Najee Harris. Warren produced 784 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 149 carries (5.3 yards per attempt) and added a healthy 61 receptions for 370 yards in 17 regular-season games. With Pittsburgh's pass-catching depth suspect, Warren should be able to be a solid RB3/flex on a weekly basis again in 2024 with quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) leading the offense.

Saturday, September 7, 3:22 PM

Denver Broncos second-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin did some great things for the Broncos in his first year in the NFL in 2023 despite going undrafted out of Youngstown State. McLaughlin battled for touches with lead back Javonte Williams and third-down specialist Samaje Perine and finished with 410 rushing yards and a touchdown on 76 carries for an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. He also added 31 catches on 36 targets for 160 yards and two more scores in 17 games. McLaughlin enters his second year as the clear backup to Williams, and he's also going to have to fend off rookie Audric Estime. The Broncos have a matchup in Week 1 against a Seattle Seahawks run defense that allowed the third-most half-PPR points to RBs a year ago, but as long as Williams stays healthy, it will be hard to recommend McLaughlin as anything more than an RB4/flex. He belongs on the bench in standard 12-team leagues.