Could James Conner legitimately replace Le'Veon Bell in 2019?
Le'Veon Bell is going into his final season with the Steelers, but could James Conner step in and replace him?
After a second straight offseason with no long-term deal, and the financial implications of using the franchise tag on him a third straight time in 2019, Le'Veon Bell is surely entering his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Any threat to sitting out games seems unfounded, but a second straight year of staying away through training camp is likely.
Bell's market as an unrestricted free agent next offseason will be interesting. He is the most important player on the Steelers, above Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, due to how tough it would be to replace him now and for sure starting in 2019. As a dual threat workhorse, with a league-leading 321 carries last year along with 85 receptions, Bell is unrivaled in the NFL.
How someone looks during offseason work, with contact essentially prohibited, has to be taken with a grain of salt. But before Bell and the team failed to agree to a long-term deal, as news surfaced that would be the case, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic was complementary of Steelers' No. 2 running back James Conner.
On the bright side for Steelers fans, James Conner really looks like he can be a solid every down running back in this league. Was very impressive during the spring. Needs to stay healthy though. @TheAthleticPGH
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) July 16, 2018
The Steelers drafted Conner in the third round of the 2017 draft (No. 105 overall). He had productive sophomore and senior seasons at Pitt in 2014 and 2016, with a torn right MCL and a Hodgkin's Lymphoma diagnosis the season in-between.
As a rookie last year, as expected behind Bell, Conner had just 32 carries for 144 yards in 14 games. His season ended also early with a torn MCL in his left knee, and a left shoulder injury limited Conner in training camp. So his ability to hold up with a big workload in the NFL is a question, even with 200-plus carry seasons in last two fully functional college seasons. And that leaves aside just 30 career receptions at Pitt (21 in 2016).
Kaboly may have offered strictly his own observation of how Conner looked this offseason, as a consolation to fans. But it also reeks of something the Steelers want out there, in an ongoing effort to dismiss Bell in the public eye.
Barring an injury or a surprising extended holdout, the Steelers don't need a significant plan to replace Bell until 2019. Giving Conner a bit more work this season would help clarify things, one way or the other. But for a team with a rapidly closing window to win as currently constructed, banking on what will likely still be an unproven commodity as a key cog in the offense will be a great leap of faith.
Golden Tate needs to adjust his expectations for Eli Manning
5 best battles to keep an eye on during training camp
Steelers have plans to fully unveil Jaylen Samuels this year
Super Bowl 52 Commercial Bingo
INDIO, CA – APRIL 30: Budweiser Clydesdale horses are […]
Super Bowl 52 odds: Patriots favored over Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have gotten no respect from […]
New England Patriots Super Bowl LII Gift Guide
We've finally arrived at Super Bowl 52, which means you […]
Eagles run wild play for Nick Foles TD catch (Video)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Nick Foles Super Bowl […]
10 likeliest players to win MVP
Winning the Super Bowl is a major accomplishment and one of […]
Can Ndamukong Suh stomp out his legacy with a Super Bowl win?
Nobody has more on the line in Super Bowl LIII than […]
Super Bowl 52 drinking game for Patriots vs. Eagles
BOSTON – FEBRUARY 7: New England Patriots tight end […]
Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl 53 Roster
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 30: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los […]