NFL Prop Bets: How To Bet Le’Veon Bell’s 2020 Rushing & Receiving Prop

NFL Prop Bets: Jets RB Le'Veon Bell

Odds as of Sept. 6 and via DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.

New York running back Le’Veon Bell was able to produce 1,250 scrimmage yards last year despite playing in an offense that struggled to find its footing the entire season.

This was mostly due to a high-usage rate and limited competition for opportunities. To be honest, Bell’s prime years may have passed him by, with him producing  a career-low 4.0 yards per touch. He still has the ability to be effective as a receiver out of the backfield, though, where he caught 85% of his targets last year.

Bell is 28 years old entering this season, so there is hope he can produce the gaudy numbers he used to rack up in the past. However, the situation in New York might not be very helpful in that pursuit and return to his old form.

[Find 2020 Projections For Key Players Here]

Throughout Bell’s career, his main value has been gaining a little more than what was blocked for and being a reliable receiving option. Last season, Bell’s inability to create big plays was on display as he was unable to have any run go for 20 yards or more.

That lack of big-play ability will mean his usage is what he is going to rely on to clear his yardage and touchdown totals.

However,  Bell will have to show he deserves those touches for the first time in his career, due to the fact the Jets have brought in Frank Gore. The standout running back is someone  New York coach Adam Gase knows well from his Miami days. Add in the fact the Jets drafted University of Florida star La'Mical Perine and you have an interesting situation in the backfield.

Reports have praised Gore’s performance and even mentioned the explosive play of Perine. That said, good news for one player typically means bad news for another. In this case, Bell is the one rumored to be having issues with Gase and struggling to separate himself from the pack.

No matter who gets the touches, the offensive line could be a continuing problem for Bell and the running game. Bell’s yards before contact ranked dead last in 2019 at an abysmal 1.2 yards.

The good news for the Jets is that they addressed those woes by putting together an line consisting of five new starters going into this season. Unfortunately, with limited training camp, there is reason to worry about the effectiveness of the line, especially early in the year. We will see if this change helps the Jets bounce back from an offense that ranked last in total yards.

Looking at changes to the defense, the Jets will be without C.J. Mosley, who has decided to opt out for the season The team also dealt away All-Pro strong safety Jamal Adams to Seattle.

Missing high caliber players will make it hard to replicate having a defense that was ranked seventh in the league last season. This will likely lead to a more pass-happy play script for the Jets each week. That said, this falls in Bell’s favor as he is one of the more gifted pass-catching backs.

FanDuel has listed Bell’s rushing and receiving yardage line at 1,299.5 compared to the DraftKings sports book, which has the line at 1200.5. Compared to our 2020 projections, which are available as part of our PRO package, Bell's total estimate comes in at 1,172 yards.

While both lines have value in the under, it’s clear going through FanDuel gives you a lot more value. 

If you listen to the Action Network podcasts with Chris Raybon, you will hear his preference in siding with unders because markets are typically optimistic and there are more possible ways for a player to underperform than overperform.

In this case, Bell’s inability to create explosive plays combined with others lurking to steal touches are just some of outs that can lead Bell to underperforming this season.

PICK: Le'Veon Bell Under 1,200.5 Rushing & Receiving Yards (down to 1,175)

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