Two running backs could be in line for breakout performances this week — RJ Harvey of the Denver Broncos and Jaylen Warren of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both have stepped into expanded roles as their teams navigate injuries and shifting depth charts, and each could play key parts in shaping the AFC playoff picture heading into Week 11.
Harvey’s workload has been climbing steadily in Denver, and with RB J.K. Dobbins dealing with a foot injury, he could see a featured role in head coach Sean Payton’s offense. The rookie has impressed with his burst and versatility as a dual-threat weapon, giving the Broncos a much-needed spark in a backfield that’s lacked consistency. If the volume holds, Harvey could be in line for his best performance yet against a Kansas City defense that’s is up and down.
With both running backs trending upward and their opportunities expanding, fantasy managers and DFS players alike will have their eyes on this duo in Week 11's start ‘em, sit ‘em, RB department, Jaylen Warren or RJ Harvey?. Let’s dive into the RJ Harvey vs. Jaylen Warren breakdown, which includes key stats, matchups, and PrizePicks projections to help you decide who deserves a spot in your lineup.
Week 11 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em RBs: Jaylen Warren or RJ Harvey?
We’ll take a look at the case to start both of these running backs by using statistics and matchup analysis for Week 11. Feel free to head over to PrizePicks and pick More or Less on their stat projections to give yourself an opportunity to win some real money.
Why Start Jaylen Warren?
Warren has transformed himself from RB Najee Harris’ (now with the Chargers) former backup into a leading man of the Steelers backfield, and it all starts with his hard-charging running style, averaging more than 4 yards per carry here in 2025.
Any back who plays the Cincinnati Bengals is in the conversation to be an must-start in FantasyLand, so we have to talk about Warren. In the first matchup between these teams in Week 7, Warren ran 16 times for 127 yards and added 4 grabs for 31 yards, his most efficient performance of the campaign
Jaylen Warren Stat Projections vs. Bengals for Week 11
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- 14.5 Rush Attempts
- 74.5 Rush Yards
- 15.5 Longest Rush
- 19.5 Rec Yards
- 3.5 Recs
Why Start RJ Harvey?
This weekend, Harvey feels like the ultimate wildcard RB. Selected in the second round of April’s draft, the former UCF star has been used sparingly but in important spots. Harvey has 6 total touchdowns, 2 on the ground and 4 through the air, thanks to his red zone usage, where he has accumulated 4 TDs.
Through the first 10 weeks of the regular season, Sean Payton has used Harvey as his “Joker” back, basically putting him in wherever he can to spice things up. Harvey brings a ton of speed to the operation, and with Dobbins an IR candidate after a hip-drop tackle last week, the rook could see a ton of work.
Dobbins was running very well behind the Broncos’ offensive line, a unit that ranks close to the top ten in Run Block Win Rate, per ESPN, so don't be surprised if Harvey, who rushed for nearly 3,000 yards over his final two UCF seasons, gets plenty of looks against the Chiefs, who just allowed their highest rushing yards total of the season to Buffalo RB James Cook in Week 9.
RJ Harvey Stat Projections vs. Chiefs for Week 11
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- 13.5 Rush Attempts
- 54.5 Rush Yards
- 11.5 Longest Rush
- 16.5 Rec Yards
- 73.5 Rush+Rec Yards
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Jaylen Warren
Harvey is fun and should get a full complement of touches this week for the first time this year, but the Chiefs are still a top-tier run defense, allowing the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game to opposing backs.
The Chiefs do allow the 11th-most receiving yards per game to backs, so Harvey could get a nice boost to his fantasy score via passes from QB Bo Nix, who ranks ninth in Checkdown Rate, per FTN’s Statshub.
Warren should continue to have strong value via his rushing and receiving work. The matchup factors heavily into this decision, as the Bengals are one of the worst fantasy defenses against running backs this season. Harvey is a strong RB2, but Warren brings an RB1 matchup to the table and is ultimately who you should probably start.
Who comes out on top for this Week 11 start ‘em, sit ‘em battle between Warren and Harvey? You can make your choice on PrizePicks player picks game.
When you play on PrizePicks NFL DFS, you can turn your knowledge into real money wins. Pick your players — whether it's Harvey or Warren — predict More or Less on their projections, and submit your Lineup for a shot at cash.
For season-long DFS strategy, player insights, and expert analysis, PrizePicks and the Playbook are your best resources.
