The 2026 fantasy football landscape is already taking shape, and two late‑round running backs are drawing particular attention. Jaylen Warren of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tony Pollard of the Tennessee Titans are both projected to be selected in the seventh round, but their paths to production diverge in key ways.
Warren’s value stems from his surprising efficiency and a growing role in the Steelers’ passing attack. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ quick‑release style has opened up opportunities for the back to catch more balls, and last season he hauled in 40 receptions before a mid‑season shift limited his involvement. With Rico Dowdle stepping in to replace the departing Kenneth Gainwell, the Steelers could restore Warren’s target share to the 50‑60‑catch range that once made him a sleeper.
Pollard, meanwhile, remains the workhorse in Tennessee’s ground game. He handled roughly 70 % of the Titans’ designed rushes last year and averaged just over 16 touches per game, though his production was hampered by a struggling offense that ranked near the bottom of the league. After a mid‑season surge that saw his points per game climb to 12, the arrival of a stronger supporting cast around quarterback Cam Ward could push him into the top‑24 fantasy backs.
Draft Implications
Efficiency metrics further differentiate the two. Warren posted a 4.5‑yard average per carry and ranked sixth among backs with at least 100 rushes in avoided‑tackle rate, while the Steelers’ run‑blocking unit finished ninth in ESPN’s win‑rate at 72 %. Pollard’s fantasy upside, by contrast, has been muted by the team’s overall inefficiency, but improvements on that front could unlock a higher ceiling.
The final verdict leans toward Warren, primarily because his projected efficiency and expanded pass‑game involvement suggest a more reliable floor. Pollard’s upside, however, remains tied to the Titans’ ability to climb out of the league’s basement, making him a high‑risk, high‑reward option for those willing to gamble on a breakout.