Le’Veon Bell 2016 Fantasy Outlook
Tier 1
Projected PPG Average: 16+
My RB projections are formatted using the Yahoo! standard scoring system.
» Le’Veon Bell — a Heavenly Gift
Imagine this … An unapproved substance shows up on a random drug test and Antonio Brown is suspended for the first four weeks of the season. You see him sliding down the rankings. He now has a late 1st round draft position. You would be rejoiced, right? We all would.
That’s how I’m feeling about Le’Veon Bell’s possible suspension this year. I felt the same way about his suspension a year ago. I had no problem whatsoever with Bell missing the first 2-games of the 2015 season because the positives completely outweighed the negatives.
Here’s how I view Bell’s situation this year, from a positive versus negative perspective:
POSITIVES
- 100+ Yards Per Game potential
- Touches: 20+ Per Game potential
- Direct beneficiary of Martavis Bryant suspension
- Direct beneficiary of “Antonio Brown coverage”
- Trusted by staff in all phases of situational football
- DeAngelo Williams: The perfect handcuff
- Motivation is a motherfucker!
- Determination is a motherfucker as well!
NEGATIVES
- NOTHING!!! ZERO NEGATIVES…AMAZING!
- Gifts from Fantasy Heaven are only positive!
- Okay. Here’s one: A hefty DeAngelo Williams price tag
You must be thinking that either my head is in the clouds or that I’m exaggerating things a bit. I get that. But I only see the positive with Bell’s possible 4-game suspension. I honestly do. And I don’t understand how anyone can view this situation any differently.
When healthy, Le’Veon Bell is a undeniably dominant fantasy force.
I’m not worried about a potential time-share with DeAngelo Williams upon LeVeon’s return from suspension — not at all. During Bell’s 2-game suspension to start the 2015 season, DeAngelo went from 21 carries in week one and 20 in week two, to 1, 2, 5, 1, and 4 carries in weeks 3–8 upon Le’Veon’s return.
That was not an accident.
That was not “game-flow.”
Bell was given his full-time role upon return simply because of his importance to the Pittsburgh offense.
I love DeAngelo Williams, certain members in my annual league can attest to that. I’ve followed his career. He was a fantastic talent in his younger days. He still is a fantastic talent, but Le’Veon Bell is a remarkable talent. And as long as Le’Veon is healthy, the job is 100% his — which means he’ll continue to operate in a full-time role.
There will be no RB platoon in 2016. There will be no time-share.
Perhaps they mix Williams in with their goal-line packages (Williams is a phenomenal goal-line Back), but even that is doubtful.
Everything that DeAngelo can do, Le’Veon can do better, and DeAngelo understands that. Williams is the consummate professional. He’ll be ready when called upon, and right now he’s being asked to hold the fort down one more time … if Le’Veon is going to miss some games — which appears to be the case.
I’m praying that he is suspended … because I’m selfish. I want Le’Veon Bell this year! I want him badly. I drafted him in my money league last year. In fact, we’re allowed to trade draft picks in my league and that’s exactly what I did. I moved up in my draft to get him only to have him land on season-ending IR before his season could even take off.
Now, I’m seeking vengeance. I imagine that Bell, himself, is seeking vengeance, but on a whole other level.
MY FINAL PITCH
Martavis Bryant ate into Bell’s touches last year, and the numbers prove it. Bryant is on ice for the 2016 season and Bell is on a mission. Don’t be the fool that passed on the known talent at RB this year. Bell’s amongst a 1st round group of relatively unknown RB’s. His floor is 16 points per game (standard scoring). His ceiling is 18, 19, or perhaps 20 points per game.
Bell is a multidimensional, 3-down back in loaded offense with a receiver that commands a lot of attention. His offensive line is athletic, tough and talented and is welcoming back an All-Pro center.
Shall I continue, or are you convinced?
The only thing that I’m not liking in this Bell scenario is DeAngelo Williams’ price tag. Last year, you could draft DeAngelo in the second to last round. Not this year. Not after fans saw how well he performed in Bell’s absence.
From what I can tell, Williams is going in the 6th round range this year.
Unfortunately, you almost have to handcuff Bell with Williams, and that’s okay. Bell’s suspension will drop his draft value, making him available to just about anyone in round one. Parting with an additional 6th round pick to handcuff him is simply the cost of doing business. It all evens out in the end, considering the very unusual circumstance that this scenario entails.
