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NFL Free Agency: Ravens target Le’Veon Bell or Antonio Brown?

By Richard Bradshaw

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates seven-yard touchdown reception with Le'Veon Bell #26 in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on October 22, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 22: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates seven-yard touchdown reception with Le'Veon Bell #26 in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on October 22, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Le’Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Le’Veon Bell:

With the transition to a run-heavy offense seemingly on the horizon for the Baltimore Ravens, the decision to sign Le’Veon Bell makes the most sense of the two. For one, Bell is arguably the most talented running back in the NFL. His incredible running style and patience makes him an elite level runner, and his skills as a pass catcher could make him the best receiver on the Ravens depth chart from day one.

Bell also has the frame that Baltimore historically loves in their runners. At 6’1″ 225-lbs., Bell has a massive build to deliver punishment but also has a ballerina like style to his running. Bell has never been known as a power back, but the capability is there. Instead, Bell is simply the guy with an incredible build and athleticism to match. He’d be unlike anything the Ravens have seen before.

Related Story. Baltimore Ravens: Running backs to target for Lamar Jackson. light

The biggest questions associated with Bell come from off the field, however. Bell has been busted on more than one occasion for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, and has been suspended multiple times for failed tests. Not only this, but Bell is constantly nicked-up with injuries. Bell has a torn MCL/PCL in his injury history, as well as groin and foot injuries also plaguing his career.

If there were any red-flags bigger than these for Bell, it would be that he chose to sit out the entire 2018 season in a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This clearly showed the world that Le’Veon Bell was for more interested in money than he was in playing football. To a certain extent, you can’t blame him. However, as a football organization you have to wonder if he’ll be determined to play at a high-level after receiving a big payday.

More than anything, being away from the football field for an extended period of time has often proved to be a costly decision. We saw Dez Bryant sit out the majority of the 2018 season and tear his Achilles tendon within his first week of practice shortly after being signed by the New Orleans Saints. It’s a risky game to play with Bell, considering all the concerns and question marks he brings to a team…

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