Chase Brown vs Jaylen Warren: Who Should You Start?
Chase Brown and Jaylen Warren are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Chase Brown averaged 14.6 PPG across 17 games with the Cincinnati Bengals, while Jaylen Warren posted 12.3 PPG in 16 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A 2.3-PPG gap gives Chase Brown the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. Chase Brown caught 69 balls for 437 yards, and Jaylen Warren hauled in 40 for 333. That receiving workload gives them high PPR floors even in games where the ground attack gets stuffed, and it is why both stay on the field in obvious passing situations.
One scheduling note: Chase Brown is off Week 12 and Jaylen Warren Week 9. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.
