Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Last year, there were a lot of rookie running backs trying to make a name for themselves. Some were thrusting into a starting role while others had to claw and scratch their way to the top, but still couldn’t make it. Entering 2014, Le’Veon Bell and Andre Ellington are poised to be the No. 1 guy for their respective teams, yet the dreaded “Sophomore Slump” lingers overhead. Which one of the two second-year running backs would you take?
Case for Andre Ellington
Ellington was selected in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Many experts had him pegged as a second or third-round pick, but that wasn’t the case. With the Arizona Cardinals not having the best passing game, the team also signed Rashard Mendenhall to be the lead back. This forced Ellington to slide into a backup role as Mendenhall carried the ball over 200 times. Ellington’s final rushing stats were 118/652/3.
Mendenhall retired at the end of the season, paving the way for Ellington to start. However, there have been reports that the Cardinals plan to use a running back-by-committee approach with Stepfan Taylor and Jonathan Dwyer. If that happens, Ellington could miss out on another 200 carries. He has the speed and pass-catching ability to add another wrinkle into the Cardinals offense.
Case for Le’Veon Bell
Bell missed the first three games of his rookie season, but was still able to finish in the top-15 among running back. He ended his first game with 16 carries for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Bell was the man for the Pittsburgh Steelers, finishing with 244 carries for 860 yards and eight touchdowns.
Despite adding LeGarrette Blount, Bell is a three-down back. He won’t lose many carries to the veteran. Bell weighs 244 pounds, but plays like he is 214. If he uses his size to plow through defenders, his 1.58 yards after contact will greatly increase. Bell also racked up 45 receptions, which will likely go up in Emmanuel Sanders‘ absence.
Final Verdict
Of the two sophomore rushers, Bell has the brighter future. There is less chance for him to lose carries to his backup and carry the ball over 200 times again. Ellington would be a nice fit as a RB3 until he and the coaching staff proves he will be “the” guy in Arizona.
Bell will be drafted in the late-second, early-third round and will be a top-10 back at season’s end.
Bill Pivetz is a fantasy sports writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @BPiv_Sports.
