3 Late-Round Running Backs Le'Veon Bell Owners Should Target in Fantasy Football Drafts

Chris Ivory, New York Jets

Week 1 & 2 Schedule (Def Rank): vs. CLE (#19), at IND (#16)
ADP (Std/PPR): 84/93

The Jets brought in Stevan Ridley and Zac Stacy this offseason to provide competition to Chris Ivory for the team's early-down role. However, with Ridley less than a year removed from ACL surgery and with a decent chance to start the year on the PUP list, and Stacy's productivity in decline, Ivory's role as the team's lead back looks to be safe for now.

And with two juicy matchups to open the year, this may be just what Ivory needs to solidify his starter status in this backfield and what fantasy football owners are looking for in their Le'Veon Bell replacement during his two game absence.

While I expect Ivory to get a fair amount of work in Week 1 against the Browns' 19th-ranked run defense, likely receiving a heavy dose of carries in the second half of the game as they milk a lead and bleed the clock, Ivory and the Jets face a somewhat tougher task in Week 2 going up against the Colts and their 16th-ranked run defense.

The Colts struggled to stop the run last year, which should play to Ivory's strengths as a bruising, tackle-breaking back. Much of these problems start with their young, inexperienced, and inconsistent defensive line. But if their high-octane offense can get out to a big lead against the Jets, then New York may be forced to deviate from a run-heavy game plan and air it out in an attempt to keep up with Indy. And with third-down backs Bilal Powell and Daryl Richardson on the roster to take over pass catching duties, Ivory may find himself on the sidelines if the defense can't keep the score within reach.

Despite the crowded backfield in New York, even if Ridley and Stacy manage to eat into Ivory's workload, his floor as a low-end RB2 should remain intact. Indeed, last season while playing in a timeshare with Chris Johnson, Ivory managed to end the year as RB19 in standard scoring leagues. And given his late-round ADP, the price is right for Bell owners to take a chance on Ivory early in the year with the opportunity he pans out as a viable weekly option for them for the remainder of the season.