It had been speculated that Pittsburgh Steelers‘ superstar running back Le’Veon Bell would end his contract hold-out and report to the team this week ahead of their season opener against the Cleveland Browns. When Bell did not report, the football universe was shaken. Fantasy teams that feature Bell immediately lost value and owners began to search for replacements. While there is no replacing Bell, fantasy football must go on. Here are players owned in less than 75 percent of ESPN leagues that can potentially soften the loss of Bell.
Potential Le’Veon Bell Fantasy Replacements
James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers – 34.8 Percent Owned
For every fantasy owner, the first question that comes to mind when a player is ruled out is, “Who’s their backup?” For Pittsburgh, it is sophomore running back James Conner. With Bell out, Conner is the clear-cut beneficiary and is in line for a large workload. Throughout the off-season, Conner has handled first-team duties with the offense while Bell has held out. In three preseason starts, Conner handled 19 carries for 100 yards (5.3 per-carry) and had seven catches for 61 yards.
While it is a huge loss, missing Le’Veon Bell is not the worst-case scenario for the Pittsburgh offense. Since 2014, when Bell is out of the lineup, the Steelers’ offense has not blinked. In the 14 games without Bell, Pittsburgh has averaged more passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns and passing yards on a per game basis. Also, in 2015, when Bell missed 10 games with suspension and injury, veteran DeAngelo Williams averaged 21.4 points-per-game and finished as RB6 in fantasy. In that span, Williams netted 21.3 touches a game and had 112.1 total yards per game. The Pittsburgh offense will have the task of replacing 1,946 yards from scrimmage and Conner is a safe bet to receive a majority of that work.
Le’Veon Bell isn’t expected to play Week 1. Bell has played 66 of 87 possible games with the Steelers in his career (including playoffs).
Steelers when Bell plays: 44-22 (25.3 PPG)
Steelers when Bell doesn’t play: 12-9 (25.3 PPG) pic.twitter.com/dgEL1MtFC4— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 5, 2018
Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers – 59.5 Percent Owned
This past week, San Francisco 49ers‘ starting running back Jerick McKinnon was lost for the season with a torn ACL. This leaves the door open for veteran running back Alfred Morris and sophomore running back Matt Breida to earn more opportunities in Kyle Shanahan‘s fantasy-friendly offense. While Morris is the more owned fantasy running back (74.6 percent owned), Breida has been named the starter by the team. Also, after watching Breida take first-team snaps this week, Morris admitted that he had not fully learned the playbook yet. Not only will Breida be the team’s best receiving back, but he has an early lead on Morris to be the long-term starter.
Over the last three seasons, Kyle Shanahan starting running backs have finished as RB8, RB6, and RB1 in fantasy. His starters at the position have also averaged 88 targets-per-season and have handled 244 carries, yearly. While Breida may not receive that entire workload, there is plenty of opportunity to produce as a solid RB2. There can be an argument that Breida is the better option.
James White, New England Patriots – 71.2 Percent Owned
The New England Patriots carry a stable of running backs and consistently keep each one involved. For James White, his role in the offense is being a receiving threat out of the backfield. In 2017, White had more receptions (56) than rushing attempts (43) and had 2.5 times more receiving yards than rushing yards. While White does not receive many carries, New England had the second-most passing yards and seventh-most attempts in the league last year, giving White an opportunity to garner key receptions and contribute in PPR (points-per-reception) leagues.
Fellow running backs Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel have also dealt with knee injuries throughout the off-season, leaving White to practice with the starters. In the first half of the Patriots’ preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, White caught six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown with the first-team offense. White is a streaming option for this Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Rex Burkhead expected to play Week 1. Sony Michel less certain. James White should lead #Patriots backfield in snaps. NE couldn’t run the ball at all on #Texans in 2017 meeting. Expecting pass-heavy, ball-out-quick game plan. https://t.co/wx4vZH5Yp0
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) September 4, 2018
Deeper League Candidates
Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles – 28.2 Percent Owned
This week, Eagles’ starting running back Jay Ajayi suffered a lower-body injury during practice. The team has been cautious as it has held Ajayi out of practice before the team’s season opener. If Ajayi is limited by the injury during the season, Corey Clement would be next in line to start. For now, Clement and teammate Darren Sproles remain llow-quality flex options in PPR leagues.
Jordan Wilkins, Indianapolis Colts – 35.2 Percent Owned
There is a high probability that rookie Jordan Wilkins will be in the starting role for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Since suffering a hamstring injury in the first week of preseason, Marlon Mack has been unable to practice. With Mack injured and Robert Turbin suspended, Wilkins will be in line for an increased workload against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Frank Gore, Miami Dolphins – 11.4 Percent Owned
It’s no surprise that Frank Gore finished as a top-20 running back in fantasy last season. For week one of 2018, the 14-year veteran was named a co-starter on the Miami Dolphins‘ official depth chart. For most of last season, Miami primarily used more than one runner in their offense. To keep Kenyan Drake fresh, Gore could see 10-12 touches a game. Any injury to Drake boosts Gore to a viable running back option.
