Week 9 vs. Carolina Panthers
Le'Veon Bell has been more of an annoyance to Clyde Edwards-Helaire owners rather than a valuable asset himself since joining the Chiefs. Bell finished with nine touches last week, and was involved in the passing game (3-31) after seeing zero targets in his first game with Kansas City. We like Bell as a strong flex play this week in a favorable matchup against the Panthers (No. 28 aFPA). The Panthers have allowed the fifth-most total rushing yards to backs, and the second-most total receiving yards to backs.
Week 8 vs. New York Jets
Le'Veon Bell had an OK debut for the Chiefs, rushing six times for 39 yards (with no targets as a receiver). It was hard to tell too much from the last game, however, as the Chiefs only ran 51 offensive plays. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is still the clear No. 1, but Bell is certainly being involved more than previous running backs in this offense. Bell is an interesting option this week as he gets a revenge game matchup against the Jets. We're projecting double-digit touches for Bell in Week 8, making him a decent flex option in a favorable matchup.
Week 7 at Denver Broncos
Le'Veon Bell joins a high-powered Chiefs offense, and it'll be interesting to see how his role develops as the season goes on. Considering CEH is coming off of a 169-yard game, he should still be the projected starter in this offense. It's impossible to know just how much Bell will be involved, but we're projecting fewer than 10 touches in his first game with the Chiefs. He'll be a very risky flex play in a brutal matchup against the Broncos (No. 1 aFPA) in Week 7.
Week 1 at Buffalo
LeVeon Bell's first season with the Jets was good, but not what we are used to seeing from him when he was with Pittsburgh. He still had 311 touches for 1,250 yards from scrimmage, but the rushing numbers were disappointing with 789 yards and 3.2 yards per carry and he only had four touchdowns. We will see if the Jets offense improves but no matter what happens, we expect Bell to still get touches as he is their best offensive player.
Bell will face the Bills in the opener. Buffalo was 17th in aFPA to running backs in 2019. Bell was very average in the two meeting against them last season as he didn't eclipse the 100 total yard mark in either game.
Bell will get the touches because the Jets just don't have great weapons. So volume makes him valuable. Against the Bills for Week 1, he ranks a high-end RB3 or Flex in standard leagues while he is an RB2 in PPR leagues.
Fantasy Upside
Le'Veon Bell has had a very good NFL career so far as a dual-threat in the running game and passing game. Last season, he had 1,250 yards from scrimmage which for his standards was low, but he still had 311 touches. Bell acknowledged that and has worked out like a demon in the off-season. His history says he can bounce back with big numbers and he still is the best offensive weapon on the Jets,
Fantasy Upside
Last year's rushing numbers were down for Bell who ended up with only 789 yards and three rushing touchdowns. Only the season where he played six games because of injury were his numbers lower. There is also speculation that head coach Adam Gase plans to give touches to veteran Frank Gore and fourth-round draft pick Lamical Perine. Bell wasn't close to being the fantasy player in Pittsburgh and it doesn't look like he will ever get to that level again.
2020 Bottom Line
Bell still has fantasy value, but it's just not what we have seen when he was with the Steelers. He currently has an ADP of 35 which has teams taking him in the third or fourth rounds. He has even more value in PPR leagues as we saw him catch 66 passes last season. But there is risk because the Jets offense was a mess under Gase last season, and there wasn't much help in the off-season. Bell is the 21st ranked fantasy running back and will serve you well as an RB2 for 2020.
Week 17 at Buffalo
LeVeon Bell had 29 touches last week against his old team but the results were mixed with 93 total yards from scrimmage and zero touchdowns. He probably wanted more, but the Steelers defense is pretty good.
Bell faces the Bills this week and Buffalo is ranked 18th in aFPA to running backs, In the season opener, Bell had 92 total yards against the Bills. Even with the favorable matchup, we saw Bell average only 3.3 yards per carry this season and his numbers were very average. Expect the same on Sunday as he ranks as an RB2 for Week 17.
Week 16 vs Pittsburgh
LeVeon Bell had 23 touches last week which is where you want to see him a consistent basis. He only 88 yards, but is capable of more. Bell will be out to make a point when he faces his former team so expect 20+ touches again.
The Steelers are fourth in aFPA to running backs so it will be a tough matchup for the Jets running back. Even with the touches, we don't expect a big day for Bell.
Start him for Week 16 but only as a high-end RB3 or flex. As much as Bell would like to prove his old team made a mistake, it will not be a big day for the Jets running game or offense in general.
Week 15 at Baltimore
LeVeon Bell should be back from his illness and late-night bowling tournament. Bell was a weekend scratch and that hurt some people in their fantasy playoffs. He is still a solid fantasy back, but if you drafted him as an RB1, you overdrafted.
Bell will face Baltimore on Thursday night. The Ravens are ranked fourth in aFPA to running backs. The tough matchup pushes him down the running back rankings.
Start Bell as only an RB3 or flex for Week 15. He used to cause distractions in Pittsburgh and we are seeing that in New York, too. Plus it could be a blowout in Baltimore.
Week 14 vs Miami
UPDATE: Bell has been ruled out for Sunday with an illness.
LeVeon Bell had 14 touches last week for 67 yards. It was his lowest touch total since Week 8 and leaves you scratching your head why the Jets aren't getting him a minimum of 20 per game.
Bell faces the Dolphins on Sunday who are ranked 22nd in aFPA to running backs. He had 25 touches for 121 yards in the first meeting with Miami back in Week 9. You would hope the Jets would use him again in that matter, but he seems to have not been involved sometimes as much as he should be.
Start Bell as a high-end RB2 in standard leagues and a low-end RB1 in PPR leagues. The carries need to be higher, but he should get enough targets in the passing game to make his fantasy day productive.
Week 13 at Cincinnati
LeVeon Bell had a solid game in the big win last Sunday. His rushing yards were modest, only 49 yards, but he added 59 receiving yards to make it overall a very productive day. Bell continues to get the touches as he should.
Bell will face the Bengals who are 20th in aFPA to running backs. This favorable matchup along with his consistent usage makes him a good play this week.
Start Bell in all leagues and formats as a solid RB1 for Week 13. He should be over 100 total yards again as long as he gets 20 touches as we expect.
