Let's compare Le'Veon Bell of the New York Jets to a rising running back in the NFL. Start here: The Oakland Raiders selected running back Josh Jacobs in the first-round (24th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
In his rookie year, Jacobs has done more than impress, he's flat out balled. The running back has 201 carries for 957 yards and seven touchdowns (4.8 yards per carry). He's also picked up 18 receptions for 146 more yards.
Those monster numbers have already thrust Jacobs into some serious conversations. He's already being talked about as one of the top talents at the running back position.
Speaking of top talents at the position. It was not long ago at all that many were making the argument for Le'Veon Bell as the best running back in the world.
That sure does seem like a long time ago though. So the question has to be asked, is Jacobs already better than Bell?
Personally, I'm all about the body of work. It's hard to put a rookie over a talented veteran this early. The reason for that is they simply haven't been around long enough to prove it.
Sure, if you're talking about some random backup, there is no question that Jacobs is better. However, we're talking about someone that was considered the best in the league just a few seasons ago. In fact, a lot of people were thinking he was still right near the top before this season.
That being said, Le'Veon Bell has been bad this year. He has 173 carries for 557 yards and three touchdowns (3.2 yards per carry). His big advantage is his 51 receptions for 368 yards and one more touchdown.
However, it's the ground game that's upsetting. You could argue he's on a bad Jets team. However, even when they're winning he isn't doing much.
In the four wins for New York, Bell has 192 yards on 62 rushes (3.1 yards per carry). He does have his three touchdowns in those games though.
Bell has four games for the Jets averaging fewer than 3.0 yards per carry this year. Jacobs has none.
In fact, Jacobs has just two averaging less than 4.0 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Bell has only averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry twice this year.
Bell has been consistently bad, even when his team's offense is doing good. Bell has been consistently great, even when his offense is struggling.
Bell's highest rushing yard total this year is 70 yards. Jacobs has run for at least 70 yards eight times already.
It is abundantly clear that Jacobs of the Raiders has been better all year long. We are also through 11 games for each of those two players. Maybe those are big enough sample sizes to make a decision.
Let me ask you this. Your team has a must-win this week and you can pick either Bell of the Jets or Jacobs of the Raiders as the running back. Who are you choosing?
Josh Jacobs was your guy, wasn't he? Let's be honest with ourselves. It's time to make the call.
Right now, Josh Jacobs is a better running back than Bell. And that's not a knock on Bell or a commentary on the Jets, that's just how good Jacobs has been.
Follow Us
Subscribe