26. Le’Veon Bell

Team: New York Jets

Position: RB

Experience: 6* Years

(*sat out 2018 NFL Season)

Le’Veon Bell, the man who dominated headlines without playing a single snap last season. He took holdouts to a new level when he decided to not play rather than sign the franchise tag tender that the Pittsburgh Steelers offered. After letting it be known for two straight seasons that he wanted a new deal, the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement and so Bell watched the 2018 NFL season play out from afar. However, his absence from the field would only last one year and he hopes to come back in a big way.

This offseason, the New York Jets decided to pony up the money that Bell was looking for. He signed a four-year contract worth $52.5 million with $27 million guaranteed. It slots second in contract value and per year pay out ($13.125 million a year) among all running backs. While it didn’t exactly meet his demands in Pittsburgh to be compensated like an elite running back AND a number two receiver, it still is one of the richest deals handed out to a running back in NFL history. The bright lights and extensive media attention that comes with playing in New York should be welcomed additions to a player like Bell.

With the Jets, the team put their money where their mouth is. After drafting Sam Darnold third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, the franchise feels like it has it’s quarterback of the present and the future locked in. We’ve seen teams spend elsewhere when they have their quarterback locked in on a rookie deal and that’s the template that New York is looking to follow. The team has also brought in veterans Ryan Khalil and Kelechi Osemele to bolster their offensive line. They also have Bell’s former teammate Kelvin Beachum coming into his third season with the Jets.

At 27 years old, Bell is in the prime of his career. Some could worry that the workload he shouldered in Pittsburgh—1,541 total touches in five seasons—means he’s closer to the end. Yet, after taking an entire season off Bell is more likely to be well-rested than rusty. For a Jets team that has been longing for an identity since the Darrelle Revis days, adding a back of Bell’s caliber gives them a pretty clear path forward. In five years, he completely changed what it meant to be an every-down back. Not only was Bell a terror when handed the ball off but he also was skilled enough to lineup on the perimeter and destroy linebackers and safeties in pass coverage.

Bell is preparing for a big year, he told reporters he’s willing to handle 500 touches this season if it means that New York wins the Super Bowl. Even if he’s at his 308 average, that’s 308 times all-Pro and future Hall of Fame candidate Le’Veon Bell is in possession of the ball rather than Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, or Elijah McGuire (no disrespect to them). Having a player of Bell’s caliber forces opposing defenses to treat this team a certain way. More eyes will be on him and more defenders will be used to slow him down. Bell doesn’t have to necessarily put up career numbers for this move to be a success. As long as his addition makes life easier for Darnold (and brings wins) the Jets and their fans will be ecstatic about his presence.