If Le’Veon Bell winds up missing Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, would another Jets running back be fantasy relevant?
Le’Veon Bell is not having a great first season with the New York Jets, as he’s averaging a dismal 3.2 yards per carry with just four total touchdowns. But pure touch volume (183 carries, 55 receptions) has made him RB14 in standard fantasy leagues and RB13 in full-point PPR scoring through Week 13.
Bell missed a second straight practice due to illness on Friday, and Jets head coach Adam Gase told reporters he’s unsure if Bell will be available Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Saturday appears to be the day that will push things one way or the other.
Being without Bell for a crucial Week 14 won’t be ideal for his fantasy owners. But if he is out, which is to say not dressed, could another Jets’ running back be fantasy relevant?
Entering Week 14, the Dolphins are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs (Yahoo! 0.5-point PPR scoring). Perhaps most notably, they have the most running back carries against so far this year (323; 26.9 per game), while allowing 4.7 yards per carry to the position. Back in Week 9, Bell had 17 carries for 66 yards along with eight catches (on nine targets) for 55 yards against Miami.
With Bell seeming to be increasingly banged up a couple weeks ago, there was a case for Bilal Powell as something of a priority waiver wire add/sneaky handcuff. Powell has at least four carries and six touches in four straight games now, so he’s presumably first in line for work in Bell’s stead ahead of Ty Montgomery.
If Bell suits up on Sunday but winds up on a limited snap count (a distinct possibility), then the pie of fantasy profits from a good matchup against the Dolphins will somehow be divided three ways. That would make the Jets’ backfield one to avoid for Week 14, perhaps other than Bell owners who wanted to embrace some risk or could push him into a less risky flex spot. But if Bell is inactive, Powell would himself be a flex option in leagues with 12 or more teams.