{"id":48790,"date":"2018-09-06T14:43:52","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T18:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=48790"},"modified":"2018-09-06T16:18:25","modified_gmt":"2018-09-06T20:18:25","slug":"james-conner-leveon-bell-fantasy-replacements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/09\/06\/james-conner-leveon-bell-fantasy-replacements\/","title":{"rendered":"James Conner Highlights Potential Le’Veon Bell Fantasy Replacements"},"content":{"rendered":"

It had been speculated that Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>‘ superstar running back\u00a0Le’Veon Bell\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>would end his contract hold-out and report to the team this week ahead of their season opener against the Cleveland Browns<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Potential Le’Veon Bell Fantasy Replacements<\/strong><\/h1>\n

James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers – 34.8 Percent Owned<\/h2>\n

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\u00a0James Conner<\/strong><\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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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).<\/p>\n

Steelers when Bell plays: 44-22 (25.3 PPG)
\nSteelers when Bell doesn’t play: 12-9 (25.3 PPG) pic.twitter.com\/dgEL1MtFC4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 5, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers – 59.5 Percent Owned<\/h2>\n

This past week, San Francisco 49ers<\/a>‘ starting running back\u00a0Jerick McKinnon<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0was lost for the season with a torn ACL. This leaves the door open for veteran running back\u00a0Alfred Morris<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and sophomore running back\u00a0Matt Breida<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to earn more opportunities in Kyle Shanahan<\/strong>‘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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

James White, New England Patriots – 71.2 Percent Owned<\/h2>\n

The New England Patriots<\/a> carry a stable of running backs and consistently keep each one involved. For James White<\/strong><\/a>, 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\u00a0an opportunity to garner key receptions and contribute in PPR (points-per-reception) leagues.<\/p>\n

Fellow running backs Rex Burkhead<\/a><\/strong> and Sony Michel<\/strong><\/a> 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<\/a>, 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Rex Burkhead expected to play Week 1. Sony Michel less certain. James White should lead #Patriots<\/a> backfield in snaps. NE couldn’t run the ball at all on #Texans<\/a> in 2017 meeting. Expecting pass-heavy, ball-out-quick game plan. https:\/\/t.co\/wx4vZH5Yp0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Evan Silva (@evansilva) September 4, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Deeper League Candidates<\/h2>\n

Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles – 28.2 Percent Owned<\/h3>\n

This week, Eagles’ starting running back\u00a0Jay Ajayi<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0suffered 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<\/strong><\/a> would be next in line to start. For now, Clement and teammate Darren Sproles<\/a><\/strong> remain llow-quality flex options in PPR leagues.<\/p>\n

Jordan Wilkins, Indianapolis Colts – 35.2 Percent Owned<\/h3>\n

There is a high probability that rookie Jordan Wilkins<\/strong><\/a> will be in the starting role for the Indianapolis Colts<\/a> on Sunday. Since suffering a hamstring injury in the first week of preseason,\u00a0Marlon Mack<\/a><\/strong> has been unable to practice. With Mack injured and\u00a0Robert Turbin<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>suspended, Wilkins will be in line for an increased workload against the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Frank Gore, Miami Dolphins – 11.4 Percent Owned<\/h3>\n

It’s no surprise that\u00a0Frank Gore<\/strong> <\/a>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<\/a>‘ official depth chart. For most of last season, Miami primarily used more than one runner in their offense. To keep\u00a0Kenyan Drake<\/a><\/strong> fresh, Gore could see 10-12 touches a game. Any injury to Drake boosts Gore to a viable running back option.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>