Le’Veon Bell isn’t coming to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. But what does that mean for his fantasy football value in 2018?
Le’Veon Bell did not sign a long-term deal, so where should you draft him in redraft and dynasty leagues? We assume that he will not resign with the Steelers next year and the Bell camp has said it probably will not happen. So to find the answers to his present and future value we have to wonder where he will be signed next year, then how will the Steelers use him this year?
The Steelers will give James Conner more carries and they will use the newly drafted Jaylen Samuel in the passing game. I also believe that Samuels will be used as a runner , a tight end and/or use him in the slot. Tomlin has been quoted that he is “highly evolved in the passing game”. The translation is that they will throw him the ball. This obviously reduces Bell’s opportunities.
So what is Le’Veon Bell’s value? There is a definite risk here. There have been some reports that he may continue his hold out into the season. That is concerning, and he is missing his second straight training camp. When he missed last years camp he started off slow and his overall efficiency was reduced to the worse YPC (yards per carry) in three years.
I am dropping him in my rankings for redraft and dynasty boards. I would rather draft a safer player as in Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott or David Johnson in redraft formats. His dynasty value is very scary to me because I don’t know what another team will do with him. The landing spot will be very important. If he goes to a place with a committee backfield what will happen then? Some coaches use a running back by committee like the Eagles last year. There were very few teams that use their RB like the Steelers have used Bell.
In 2017 Bell had 424 touches that were 65 more than the next running back who had 359 was LeSean Mccoy
I think ultimately you have to determine what kind of risk you are willing to take on. In a redraft I think he will be fine but also the top three I mentioned earlier are safer options.
If I was starting a Dynasty Draft today I would look to draft someone else. I don’t like his long-term value with a running back turning 27 next year on a new team. There are too many variables involved and I just get this feeling that the Steelers did a good job of keeping the lid on his off the field stuff. I have this feeling that when he goes to another team it could get worse like what we have seen is just the tip of the iceberg. I just saw a video of him in a strip club and he can’t seem to stay off social media. If I was a coach I would hate that and as a fan, I don’t like to see him screwing around while everyone else on his team is working hard in camp.
So the decision is yours but tread carefully owners. I would look to other backs to draft unless you find him at value, but remember the risks involved.