Le'Veon Bell, LeGarrette Blount's Instant Fantasy Reaction After Week 1

If you came into 2014 looking for the Pittsburgh Steelers' running back situation to become a timeshare, well, whoops. The Steelers opened the season Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, and it sure looks like the job is LeVeon Bell's to lose.   

The second-year back was consistently used on the ground and in the passing game, picking up 197 yards on 27 touches (21 carries, six receptions) in the Steelers' 30-27 win in Cleveland. He did most of his damage in the first half, garnering 124 yards and scoring on a 38-yard scamper to give Pittsburgh an early 24-3 lead. 

When placed side-by-side with LeGarrette Blount, there was no question who was Mike Tomlin's top option. Blount carried the ball only four times for six yards and was targeted only once in the passing game. Third-string back rookie Dri Archer was nearly as involved in the offense.

Bell was the clear running back of choice—right until the Steelers got near the goal line.

When the game was in pre-blowout fashion, Bell ceded his spot behind Ben Roethlisberger to Blount in the first quarter when Pittsburgh got inside the 10-yard line. Blount scored from seven yards out on his first carry to give the Steelers a 10-3 lead.

Don Wright/Associated Press

While freakout levels for Bell owners were understandably high—I don't know if you know this, but fantasy owners can be quite irrational on social media—it's probably best to dismiss that carry outright. Bell immediately went back to being the primary ball-carrier and the sheer volume of his workload is promising. Plus, the former Michigan State star is listed at 6'1" and 244 pounds; he's plenty big enough and plenty strong enough to bang bodies near the goal line.

The more likely scenario is Tomlin wanted to get fresher legs on the field. He began the drive with a handoff to Archer before going to Bell for three more runs across a nine-play drive. Having already put him on pace for a 40-touch game in the first 15 minutes, going with Blount near the goal line made sense; it wasn't a decision that should alter anyone's perception of either player.

In a nutshell: Bell is still an RB2 or low-end RB1 in most leagues. His excellent Week 1—especially his work in the passing game—makes it possible he'll emerge as a top-tier RB1 by the end of the season. It's clear offensive coordinator Todd Haley likes what he's seen developmentally, and the Steelers looked strong on offense before taking their foot off the pedal in the second half. 

Blount, meanwhile, is not ownable outside the deepest possible leagues and should only be kept around as a Bell handcuff. There are times when noticing goal-line carries would matter; this would be overthinking it.

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