Leveon Bell or Joe Mixon
This who to draft article is between 2 backs who are tremendously talented but are in different stages of there careers. While researching expert consensus rankings and studying mock drafts, these stars keep falling next to eachother more often then not. Let’s not waste time and dig right in.
If you don’t know about Le’Veon Bells situation you’ve been living under a rock. Held out all year for a contract he thought he deserved from Steelers, he tested his fate. Free agency came and he felt destined for NY. Bell in Pitt was considered one of the best backs in the league consistently for a few years. Talent is not the question coming into the season but can he produce behind a below average o-line and Adam Gase ran offense.
Joe Mixon stepped into the league just about the last way anyone should. Nonetheless he found a home in Cincy and ran with it. In his 2nd year he took control as the primary ball handler and ran with it. At 23 and fresh Mixons 2019 campaign could be a stat stuffing season.
Draft day is here and it’s time to grab a back. Who do you got? The OG or the youngster? In fantasy I look at the upside a player can bring to the table. Both are extremely high and can finish top 5 if all pieces fall there way. My gut tells me though Life’s A Gamble.
I truly think Joe Mixon is going to elevate his game coming into his third year but Bell is my guy. You might tell me he’s old for a RB and just sat out a whole year. I’ll tell you good, he is well rested. A man of his threshold clearly lives and breathes football. He’s eager as fuck and has more to prove after his whole situation. Yes Le’Veon steps into a situation where the Jets offense has ranked amongst the bottom of the league for sometime but he instantly makes them better.
Free at Last, free at last! Bell is free and the talk of the town. In 3 of the last 4 years LB has been on the field, he has accumulated over 1800 total yards. When the ball is in his hands, he makes plays. Not only is he a patient and dynamic ball carrier but he’s also a gifted receiver. In those 3 years of 1800 yards, Bell caught 75+ passes. That’s more then any other RB in that window.
There’s some notion that the Jets have a horrible offensive line and Bell will struggle due to it. In 2018 the Jets offense ranked 7th in total rushing yards averaging 4.5 yards an attempt. The Jets replaced James Carpenter with pro bowler Osemele and no long have to deal with Spencer “I can’t snap the ball to the QB” Long. With Isaiah Crowell and Elijah McGuire having some success behind a worse offensive line then last year, you mean to tell me Bell will struggle? Cmon now. Le’Veon is going to carry a heavy workload and will do so successfully.
Joe Mixon is so young and so damn good. If I end up with Mixon in any of my fantasy leagues I will be ecstatic. With that said, you can’t choose him over Bell. From a skill set and IQ level, Bell is at the top of the league. Mixon’s offensive line will look somewhat different then 2018. Bengals G Clint Boling (there best offensive lineman) has retired and first rounder Jonah Williams is set to miss the whole season due to injury. These are 2 holes the bengals won’t be able to replace. Mixons success will still be present but you have to think this could effect his play.
One of the key differences between Bell and Mixon is the overall playmaking talent on offense. Where the Jets really have only Bell as a playmaker, the Bengals WR corps rank amongst some of the best in the game. AJ Green is reliable each year and Tyler Boyd is a rising star. The Bengals can’t just zero in on Joe Mixon with all the other talent around them. Yes the Jets have some younger and solid pieces on offense but none match up close to Bells level. Bell will be the focal point of the offense and Mixon won’t be on that same level. This had nothing to do with Mixons talent level but of the teams talent.
The Gas is not on E for LB. Bell must be drafted before Mixon. I’m not worried about the weaker offense the Jets present. I’m not worried about Adams Gases system. When you are as talented as Le’Veon you find ways to show it. Say no more.