NFL Draft: Ranking the top 10 Day 2 picks of the decade (2010-2019)
By Jason Truitt
RB, 2nd Round, 2013. player. 805. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Michigan State. Le'Veon Bell. 9
Le’Veon Bell seems to have catapulted the league’s new trend of duo-threat running backs to a whole new level. After being selected in the second round by the Steelers in the 2013 NFL Draft, Bell wasted no time displaying to the league his unique versatility.
Bell’s vital trait of patience is what makes him so special. His ability to tolerantly follow blockers and quickly cut through defenders in open-field is nearly unmatched.
He has yet to reach his full potential due to his own off-the-field mistakes, decisions or injuries. During his seven-year career, Bell played all 16 regular-season games just once. That was in 2014 when Bell earned over 2,000 scrimmage yards.
After sitting out the entire 2018 season due to a contract dispute, the Steelers front office decided it was time to part ways with Bell and let him walk to become a free agent. Even with this history of conflict, the New York Jets signed him shortly after for a 4-year, $52.5M deal.
The Jets’ West Coast, heavy zone run scheme differs greatly from the Steelers’ spread, man-blocking power attack and Bell has yet to truly adapt to it. But more importantly, the coaching staff must figure out a way to implement Bell into the offense more. He has shown massive upside in his career and has far outplayed his NFL Draft positioning.