Pro Football Focus has ranked the Pittsburgh Steelers' running back pair of Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle among the league's strongest duos ahead of the 2026 season. The assessment follows the team's signing of Dowdle after losing Kenneth Gainwell to free agency.
PFF placed Warren at No. 14 among starting running backs and listed Dowdle as an honorable mention. The rankings highlight Warren's 958 rushing yards and 76.6 PFF rushing grade from the 2025 season, along with his 84.4 receiving grade.
Dowdle recorded over 1,000 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons, most recently with the Carolina Panthers. PFF noted his 652 rushing yards from Weeks 5 through 9 last season, which helped the Panthers secure four wins in that span.
The Steelers signed Dowdle to pair with Warren under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy. The team has indicated it will use a hot-hand approach with the backs, both of whom fit a physical, downhill rushing style.