He isn't your typical third-down back. When you think of a "receiving specialist" in the NFL, you probably picture a lean, track-star type who avoids contact like the plague. Jaylen Warren is the exact opposite. He is built like a bowling ball and runs like he’s trying to break the floor. Honestly, if you’ve watched a single Steelers game over the last few years, you’ve seen it: a short dump-off pass that looks like a dead play, only for Warren to teleport five yards downfield while three defenders fall over themselves.
The numbers tell a story that the box score sometimes hides. While the 2024 and 2025 seasons saw shifts in the Pittsburgh backfield—especially with the departure of Najee Harris—Warren's efficiency in the air has remained a total glitch in the system.
Jaylen Warren Receiving Stats: Breaking Down the Aerial Impact
You can't just look at the raw yardage. To really get why Mike Tomlin trusts this guy so much, you have to look at the "how" behind the catches. In the 2024 season, Warren finished with 38 receptions for 310 yards. That might not sound like Christian McCaffrey numbers, but consider he did that while splitting time in a crowded room and missing a couple of games with a hamstring issue. He averaged 8.2 yards per catch that year, a significant jump from his 6.1 average the year before.
He basically became more dangerous with fewer opportunities.
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Then came 2025. With Najee Harris gone and Aaron Rodgers (surprisingly) under center for the Black and Gold, the dink-and-dunk game became a lifeline. Warren hauled in 40 receptions for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns in the regular season. The most telling stat? He was targeted 45 times and caught 40 of them. That is an 88.9% catch rate. In the world of NFL metrics, that's essentially vacuum-cleaner status.
The Efficiency That Analytics People Love
If you’re into PFF (Pro Football Focus) or "Yards Per Route Run," Warren is a superstar. In 2025, he ranked 4th among all NFL running backs in yards per route run at 1.81.
Think about that.
Every time he runs a route—not just when he’s targeted, but every time he releases into the flat—he’s generating nearly two yards of value. It puts him in the same tier as elite pass-catching backs like Breece Hall or Bijan Robinson. He isn't just a safety valve; he’s an actual offensive weapon.
Why the Steelers Trust Warren Over the Alternatives
It's about the "dirty work." You'll often hear commentators rave about his pass protection. It’s true. The guy hits blitzing linebackers like he’s trying to send them back to college. But that's exactly why his receiving stats are so consistent. Because he's such a good blocker, defenses never know if he's staying in to protect or leaking out for a screen.
By the time they realize he's running a choice route, he's already got the ball and a full head of steam.
- 2023 Season: 61 receptions (Career High)
- 2024 Season: 38 receptions (High Efficiency)
- 2025 Season: 40 receptions (Breakout in RB1 Role)
The 2023 season was actually his volume peak in the passing game, where he grabbed 61 balls. Many fans wondered why that number dipped in 2024. Part of it was the scheme change under Arthur Smith, who loves to run the ball into the teeth of the defense. But even with fewer targets, Warren's yards per reception went up. He stopped being a "check-down Charlie" and started being a playmaker.
The "Yards Created" Factor
There’s a specific stat called "Yards Created," which measures what a runner does after the blocking breaks down or after they make the first guy miss. Warren consistently ranks in the top 10. When he catches a ball in the flat, he is notoriously difficult to bring down one-on-one. According to TribLIVE tracking, he averaged 2.7 yards after contact per attempt in the passing game during the 2025 campaign.
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He’s small, sure. 5'8" on a good day. But he’s 215 pounds of pure muscle. He uses that low center of gravity to bounce off tackles that would floor most wide receivers.
Impact on the 2026 Outlook and Beyond
So, what does this mean if you're a fan or a fantasy manager? It means Warren has a floor that most "rushing" backs don't have. Even if the Steelers struggle to move the pile on the ground, they will always find a way to get the ball to #30 in space.
We saw this in the 2025 Wild Card matchup against the Texans. While the run game was mostly stifled by a fast Houston front, Warren was the leading receiver for chunks of the game, snagging 5 passes in the regular-season finale against Baltimore just to get them into the dance.
He has evolved. He went from an undrafted free agent who was "just happy to be here" to the unquestioned leader of the room. Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson have their roles, but neither provides the dual-threat reliability that Warren does.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Warren's Performance
To truly gauge if Warren is having a "good" game, don't just look at the rushing yards. Follow these specific markers:
- Target Share: If Warren is getting 4+ targets, the Steelers' offense is usually in rhythm.
- Red Zone Receiving: In 2025, he started seeing more "high-value" touches inside the 20. Watch for those swing passes near the pylon.
- Yards After Catch (YAC): This is his bread and butter. If he's averaging over 7 yards per catch, he's destroying the opponent's linebacker coverage.
Keep an eye on his health, as his violent running style has led to some nagging lower-body issues in the past. But when he's on the field, the Jaylen Warren receiving stats aren't just numbers—they are the engine of the Pittsburgh offense.