Steelers Sign Oklahoma State RB Jaylen Warren as UDFA

The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to sign signed undrafted free agent running back Jaylen Warren from Oklahoma State, the club announced Saturday following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The team had been looking to add to their running-back depth behind starter Najee Harris, their 2021 first-round draft choice. They neglected to add in the draft, but did add another running back, in addition to Warren, in the UDFA market.

Warren transferred from Utah State prior to the 2021 season after spending two seasons at a junior college. He was on the 2019 Academic All-Mountain West Team and was the 2018 NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year.

He thrived when he went to Oklahoma State and was immediately voted the team captain by his teammates. He received several accolades such as Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, 2021 The Athletic All-Portal Team, 2021 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist, 2021 Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and 2021 Honorable Mention All-Big 12.

His stats reflect the accolades he received. He rushed for 1,216 total yards last season on 256 carries, a 4.75 yards per carry average, and had 11 rushing touchdowns. He wasn’t used much in the passing game though with only 25 catches for 225 receiving yards.

Warren will compete for a spot with Anthony McFarland Jr., Benny Snell Jr. and Trey Edmunds behind starter and 2021 first-round pick Najee Harris. Harris had 307 carries last season and was targeted 94 times in the passing game. Harris was on the field for 980 snaps last season, a 84% usage rate. They neglected to draft a running back, but did draft a tight end, fullback in Connor Heyward. Heyward is the brother of Steeler’s star defensive end Cam Heyward.