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WR David Bell, CLE (1 Viewer)

Colts beat writer Nate Atkins reports Purdue WR David Bell attended the Colts' local pro day and met with the team.

Bell (6'2/205) reportedly didn't workout at the pro day, but met with GM Chris Ballard. Bell saw his draft star fall a bit after an underwhelming Combine that featured a 4.65 40-yard dash and poor showings in the explosiveness workouts. As a receiver, Bell looked like one of the more reliable in the class. An early declare, Bell amassed 232 receptions for 2,946 yards and 21 touchdowns, with two 1,000+ yard seasons to his resume. His athleticism may scare some teams off, but we've seen plenty of Combine duds flourish at the receiver position.

SOURCE: David Atkins on Twitter

Apr 12, 2022, 2:19 PM ET
I've always been a Bell fan and when the combine numbers landed, well, I started to have doubts.  I think he's a sneaky buy low and will be had in the mid to late 2nd round of rookie drafts.  I still want to believe, so if the Colts and Ballard believe, then I'm onboard considering the garbage they have at WR after Pittman.  I still have hopes for Campbell, but he is obviously made of glass.

 
I've always been a Bell fan and when the combine numbers landed, well, I started to have doubts.  I think he's a sneaky buy low and will be had in the mid to late 2nd round of rookie drafts.  I still want to believe, so if the Colts and Ballard believe, then I'm onboard considering the garbage they have at WR after Pittman.  I still have hopes for Campbell, but he is obviously made of glass.
Draft capital is so important for him now. If he goes 2nd round, I am back fully on board. If he goes 3rd, I still like his chances. Anything after that and I am probably out. Sure Amon Ra is the obvious comp to still be excited but there’s a lot more Tyler Johnson’s than there are Amon Ra’s. 

 
According to NFL.com's Charles Davis, Purdue WR David Bell should be on a team's favorite prospect lis

Charles Davis says "NFL general manager, scout and coach has a personal list of favorite prospects or pound the table the prospect." He put Bell on this list as a wide receiver prospect to be looked at. He was considered an early Day 2 prospect coming into the draft, but poor testing numbers seem to have his draft stock. If you look at his highlights you'll see a player that has excellent size and you can depend on to catch the ball. Bell lead the Big 10 with 8.5 receptions per game and was second with 1,286 receiving yards. He should still hear his name on Day 2 and will be a great compliment in any receiving core.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Apr 13, 2022, 8:28 PM ET

 
According to Pro Football Focus, David Bell has the fewest drops in BIG ten since 2019.

His 4.2 drop rate is better than Jahan Dotson (4.9) and Chris Olave (5.1), two receivers who are projected better, in that span. Bell (6'2/205) is a great receiver will solid footwork and can run his routes smoothly to create separation. He does lack the explosive speed like some of the receivers in this draft, but that shouldn't hurt him when you see how dependable he is when you throw him the ball. This lower projection could be good for a team looking to enhance that receiving core on the second day as Bell could be a great value.

SOURCE: PFF College

Apr 17, 2022, 2:38 PM ET

 
According to Ben Linsey, Purdue WR David Bell is on his “my guy” list.

Bell went into the pre draft process as a possible early Day 2 pick. After some not so stellar numbers at the combine, including a 4.68 40-yard dash, his stock has plummeted. This doesn’t mean he isn’t a good prospect and this could help him become a a good value. He’s a sure handed receiver that’s come away with at-least a 77.0 PFF receiving grade and had the fewest drops in the Big 10 since 2019. Team show not be worried about the testing numbers and see the value he has.

SOURCE: PFF

Apr 23, 2022, 12:16 PM ET

 
NFL Network's Charles Davis compared Purdue WR David Bell to Los Angeles Chargers receiver Mike Williams.

The shine has worn off a bit on Bell (6'2/205) following an underwhelming 4.68 40-yard dash at the combine. With that being said, Bell brings a body of work to this year's class that not many receivers have. He went for over 1,000-yards in two of his three seasons, and was on pace for another 1,000-yard season in his sophomore year had it not been shortened to six games due to COVID-19. Like Williams, Bell is a sure-handed receiver who has the ability to win the contested catches at the high point. Where he will go in the draft is the biggest question surrounding him heading into this week.

SOURCE: NFL.com

Apr 24, 2022, 8:58 PM ET

 
Browns selected Purdue WR David Bell with the No. 99 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Bell (6'1/212) has been on the NFL's radar since he went 86-1,035-7 as a true freshman at Purdue, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors and winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Bell then carried the Purdue passing offense in 2020 with a 34% yardage share and a 53% TD share, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. In 2021, he had his most productive year with a 93-1,286-6 line, winning the Richter-Howard award for Big Ten receiver of the year and earning first-team All-Big Ten and consensus first-team All-American honors. However, Bell's ability to translate his stellar college production to the NFL was put in question by a disappointing 4.65 40 at the combine and a 4.71 follow-up at his Pro Day. Bell's success or failure will likely come down to his route running. Likely to operate as an oversized underneath receiver, he has significant PPR upside if he can develop into a Jarvis Landry type. Perhaps he call fill Landry's old role in Cleveland out of the slot.

Apr 29, 2022, 11:14 PM ET

 
The Athletic's Zac Jackson believes Browns third-round rookie David Bell "can be a similar player stylistically" to Jarvis Landry.

Landry is currently a free agent after being let go by the Browns in March. Like Landry, Bell did not test well in the pre-draft process, but he was a productive college receiver who brings good size and great hands. If he shows the ability to uncover underneath at the NFL level, he has a path to targets given Cleveland's unsettled depth chart behind Amari Cooper. He could end up being a value in Dynasty rookie drafts. 

SOURCE: The Athletic

May 4, 2022, 3:14 PM ET

 
Athletics aside the kid can run routes and catch the football. Teamed up Watson with a weak depth chart and he could have sneaky value. Hopkins was not a burner….
I'd disagree on his route running. He's pretty raw, and had an inordinate amount of his production on contested catches. I can't see that continuing on the NFL level. 

I will agree its a weaker depth chart, but I'd argue Bell is a big part of that weakness. I kind of think Jakeem Grant could be a sneaky candidate to be a threat as a slot WR (ala Coutee for Watson), and Peoples-Jones should be a more effective deep threat with Watson than Mayfield. I also doubt the Browns are done adding at WR, and could still be in play for Will Fuller or even bringing Beckham back.

I'd be very wary of investing much of a pick in Bell. I've got Bell #34 on my rookie ranks. 

 
I'd disagree on his route running. He's pretty raw, and had an inordinate amount of his production on contested catches. I can't see that continuing on the NFL level. 

I will agree its a weaker depth chart, but I'd argue Bell is a big part of that weakness. I kind of think Jakeem Grant could be a sneaky candidate to be a threat as a slot WR (ala Coutee for Watson), and Peoples-Jones should be a more effective deep threat with Watson than Mayfield. I also doubt the Browns are done adding at WR, and could still be in play for Will Fuller or even bringing Beckham back.

I'd be very wary of investing much of a pick in Bell. I've got Bell #34 on my rookie ranks. 
Well, now we know each others opinions on Bell. I will be interested in seeing how that depth chart plays out this year.

 
Younger/cheaper version of Jarvis Landry sounds about right for a comp. But now he has to actually live up to that. As with all comps, even to just decently good NFL players, easier said than done.

 
Browns signed third-round WR David Bell to a four-year, $4.894 million contract. 

One of three third-rounders for the picks-poor Browns after the Deshaun Watson and Amari Cooper trades, 21-year-old Bell is also entering a receiver corps in dire need of reliable places to funnel targets. Save for down-field specialist Donovan Peoples-Jones and jitterbug big-play option Jakeem Grant, there are few very places for Watson to turn to in this receiver group. A huge compiler in the Big 10, Bell's question is his athleticism after he timed (well) beyond 4.60 this spring. He figures to start out as a "big" (6-foot-1) slot man.  

May 12, 2022, 1:55 PM ET

 
I like him and Njoku as late rounders that can give good value once Watson is up and running.  They didn't pay all that money and give up all those picks for Watson to hand off all game. 

 
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said third-round WR David Bell can play both outside and slot roles.

"I think he has versatility outside and inside," Stefanski said during rookie minicamp. “He has a competitiveness both in route-running and in route-catching, and the ability in the route-running game to set people up."  Browns.com’s Andrew Poisal called Bell, who played outside at Purdue, the “frontrunner” to replace Jarvis Landry in the slot. With no proven options behind Amari Cooper and the support of the Stefanski, there’s a chance Bell opens the season in two-wide sets.

SOURCE: clevelandbrowns.com

May 20, 2022, 6:24 PM ET

 
Slow, no yac ability possession WR in a run heavy offense. Just not seeing it. Maybe a solid WR3 type but no upside.
Don't think they will be a "run heavy offense" once Watson is a full go after the suspension issue is resolved

They didn't spend 3 first rounders plus and guarantee 230 million dollars to a QB to be a game manager.  They will no longer be a run heavy offense once he takes over full time.  Some balance certainly since Chubb is so talented, but they will be flinging the ball plenty.  

 
Don't think they will be a "run heavy offense" once Watson is a full go after the suspension issue is resolved

They didn't spend 3 first rounders plus and guarantee 230 million dollars to a QB to be a game manager.  They will no longer be a run heavy offense once he takes over full time.  Some balance certainly since Chubb is so talented, but they will be flinging the ball plenty.  
I don't agree with any of that. As long as they have a stable of Rb's they will be very run heavy and it seems to me this team prioritizes having a stable of Rb's.

If you check on some of Watson's seasons in Houston he was not a high volume passer. His best season he was 10th in the league in attempts. That was in a dome, trailing all the time without a big time rushing attack.

They got Watson to be a better football team, not to be a big time passing team.

 
I don't agree with any of that. As long as they have a stable of Rb's they will be very run heavy and it seems to me this team prioritizes having a stable of Rb's.

If you check on some of Watson's seasons in Houston he was not a high volume passer. His best season he was 10th in the league in attempts. That was in a dome, trailing all the time without a big time rushing attack.

They got Watson to be a better football team, not to be a big time passing team.
Well, I don't agree with most of this, so were are even then

Not saying they will be top 5 in passing attempts, but when you have a QB who performed like Watson did in Houston (especially his last year there in 2020), you are going to let him air it out.  Stefanski gone, Hunt more than likely leaving next year as they probably can't afford him, paying the draft capital and guaranteed money to Watson leads me to think the offensive philosophy will change dramatically.

Certainly, they got Watson to be a better football team.  They will become a better football team by throwing the ball more and opening up their offense.  

 
I don't agree with any of that. As long as they have a stable of Rb's they will be very run heavy and it seems to me this team prioritizes having a stable of Rb's.

If you check on some of Watson's seasons in Houston he was not a high volume passer. His best season he was 10th in the league in attempts. That was in a dome, trailing all the time without a big time rushing attack.

They got Watson to be a better football team, not to be a big time passing team.
Hunt will not be here in 2023. If an opportunity to move him presents itself before judgment day on D'Ernest Johnson's RFA contract comes he may not be here in 2022 either. The Browns back field next year will likely be Chubb-Ford-someone else cheap and whether 'someone else cheap' is D'Ern we'll know by the first week of September.

 
Hunt will not be here in 2023. If an opportunity to move him presents itself before judgment day on D'Ernest Johnson's RFA contract comes he may not be here in 2022 either. The Browns back field next year will likely be Chubb-Ford-someone else cheap and whether 'someone else cheap' is D'Ern we'll know by the first week of September.
I understand the contract situation on the RB's.

I also know the kind of offense that Stefanski wants to run and why his teams have been 24-28th in passing attempts his 3 years as OC and HC.   Yes he had Cousins and Baker for most of that time and will pass more but that's the system he likes to run.

Just because the Browns paid a lot for Watson is not a reason to be ultra pass heavy. It's not as if the Texans did not know what they had with him when they were not pass heavy. The team will do what it thinks is best to win and everything I've seen suggest Stefanski will run a balanced offense.

But we are really getting WAY off point here. The lack of high volume passing game is but one reason I don't think much of Bell. Let's get back on that in this thread.

 
I understand the contract situation on the RB's.

I also know the kind of offense that Stefanski wants to run and why his teams have been 24-28th in passing attempts his 3 years as OC and HC.   Yes he had Cousins and Baker for most of that time and will pass more but that's the system he likes to run.

Just because the Browns paid a lot for Watson is not a reason to be ultra pass heavy. It's not as if the Texans did not know what they had with him when they were not pass heavy. The team will do what it thinks is best to win and everything I've seen suggest Stefanski will run a balanced offense.

But we are really getting WAY off point here. The lack of high volume passing game is but one reason I don't think much of Bell. Let's get back on that in this thread.
Stefanski's run heavy tendencies have been driven by 2nd half decision making. This tool is fun to play with for a data nerd like me. I think it's reasonable to expect distributions more aligned with half #1 with Watson instead of Baker, especially once Hunt is no longer here. I agree with you that this will never be a high volume passing attack, but league average and highly efficient will lead to positive outcomes in our game.

 
Browns WR David Bell repped with the first-team offense at OTAs.

The third-round rookie "made several impressive catches" while running with the starters. Cleveland has been rotating receivers behind Amari Cooper with Bell, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Anthony Schwartz all getting first-team reps. Bell, who was handpicked by coach Kevin Stefanski, is expected to compete for the Browns' slot role and has a chance to start in two-wide sets.

SOURCE: The Athletic

Jun 4, 2022, 9:44 AM ET

 
NFL Beat Writers @32BeatWriters

David Bell: “He has seemed to catch everything thrown his way in the open practices, though Bell said he dropped a pass “in either the first or second (OTA) practice.” Bell said his locker is next to Watson’s, which is something that has helped them to build a relationship”
https://twitter.com/32beatwriters/status/1537237536552402944?s=21

NFL Beat Writers @32BeatWriters

“In most three-wide sets this spring, the first three wide receivers up were Amari Cooper, DPJ and Schwartz. Bell did get some turns with Watson and Cooper during the open practices, and in training camp, he’ll get a shot to earn most of the slot snaps that Cooper isn’t taking.”
https://twitter.com/32beatwriters/status/1537237740428722182?s=21

 
Browns Breakdowns: What David Bell brings at WR

...Chad O'Shea, ... the Browns' wide receivers coach/pass game coordinator.

"He had the ability to be productive with the ball in his hands," O'Shea said in a “Browns Breakdowns” video. "The job of the receiver is to get open and catch the ball, and we would obviously like to be productive when we have the ball in our hands. He has the ability to make defenders miss in space and the ability to find the end zone. He's an instinctive runner with the ball in his hands, and one of which produced."

... posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds, a slower-than-average mark ... Bell can make up for his speed with his smooth route-running, diverse route tree and catch ability, ... he totaled only 11 drops among his 232 career receptions.

The Browns don't need Bell to be a speed threat — they already have at least two of those types of players in Anthony Schwartz and Donovan Peoples-Jones...

..."... one of the best players in the draft as regards to his ball skills," O'Shea said. "He did it in a lot of contested areas, or where he was closely matched at the top of the route.

... O'Shea said. "It's body control. It's an ability to understand where you are on the field and have sideline awareness...

The Browns gave Bell an ample load of reps from the slotwhere his talents could best fit in the offense, during OTAs and minicamp. He'll likely continue to see a lot of work there in training camp, but the Browns plan to give him opportunities on the outside as well as they determine how they can maximize his strengths.

.. O'Shea said. "We're going to keep moving him around ... that's a good thing for him because the more you can do, you're going to increase your value for the team."

... he's going to have a lot of value for our offense."

 
Hard to get excited about Bell given the offense's track record with receivers and the QB situation.  If Watson plays this season, he becomes a bit more intriguing.

 
Browns Breakdowns: What David Bell brings at WR

...Chad O'Shea, ... the Browns' wide receivers coach/pass game coordinator.

"He had the ability to be productive with the ball in his hands," O'Shea said in a “Browns Breakdowns” video. "The job of the receiver is to get open and catch the ball, and we would obviously like to be productive when we have the ball in our hands. He has the ability to make defenders miss in space and the ability to find the end zone. He's an instinctive runner with the ball in his hands, and one of which produced."

... posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds, a slower-than-average mark ... Bell can make up for his speed with his smooth route-running, diverse route tree and catch ability, ... he totaled only 11 drops among his 232 career receptions.

The Browns don't need Bell to be a speed threat — they already have at least two of those types of players in Anthony Schwartz and Donovan Peoples-Jones...

..."... one of the best players in the draft as regards to his ball skills," O'Shea said. "He did it in a lot of contested areas, or where he was closely matched at the top of the route.

... O'Shea said. "It's body control. It's an ability to understand where you are on the field and have sideline awareness...

The Browns gave Bell an ample load of reps from the slotwhere his talents could best fit in the offense, during OTAs and minicamp. He'll likely continue to see a lot of work there in training camp, but the Browns plan to give him opportunities on the outside as well as they determine how they can maximize his strengths.

.. O'Shea said. "We're going to keep moving him around ... that's a good thing for him because the more you can do, you're going to increase your value for the team."

... he's going to have a lot of value for our offense."


Sounds very much like the film breakdown of Bryan Edwards, with whom the jury is still out..

 
I like the kid. Great hands, good routes - beat reporters said they never saw him drop a pass in the portion of practice open to them. 

(Bell said he dropped one after they left) 

seens like a good Dynasty stash until Watson gets back. And he might even have a little value if Brissett establishes a good connection - not like he has a ton of competition for receptions. 

 
Notes: WR David Bell placed on PUP with foot injury

...Bell, a third-round pick, was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list with a foot injury. It’s not considered serious,...

...Bell (6-foot-1, 212 pounds) is expected to have a significant role in the offense, including as a slot receiver. ..
As I understand this is largely a procedural move while teams mess with financials. I would expect to see a lot of this sort of thing on various teams with rookies over the next day or 2.

Last reports on Bell were glowing - I have him on a team I took over so I’ve been watching the news closely, and hadn’t seen anything about an injury. 

 
Notes: WR David Bell placed on PUP with foot injury

...Bell, a third-round pick, was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list with a foot injury. It’s not considered serious,...

...Bell (6-foot-1, 212 pounds) is expected to have a significant role in the offense, including as a slot receiver. ..
Bell came off PUP Saturday 6-August.

“Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski did not rule out Bell playing the preseason opener Friday in Jacksonville, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Bell was activated off the active/PUP list and practiced for the first time Saturday, but he was excluded from team drills, per Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site. Stefanski referred to Bell as intelligent and noted the progress he made during offseason activities as reasons for the coach's optimism heading into Preseason Week 1. Bell is penciled in as the team's top slot receiver.”
 
With the Watson drama, it seems a lot of people are simply writing off the Browns. No idea what will happen with Bell, but I was more than pleased to draft him at 45 in my latest rookie/FA draft.
 
Browns rookies Cade York, David Bell keep impressing: 3 thoughts from preseason game against Bears

Excerpt:

2. David Bell showing off football speed

With David Bell missing a large chunk of training camp rehabbing a stress fracture in his foot, I wondered how that may impact his development as a rookie. Would it impact his ability to put knowledge into action? To develop on-field chemistry with his teammates? Would he struggle with the speed of the NFL game?

So far, Bell really looks no worse for the wear, and had a nice showing once again on Saturday, catching all three of this targets for a team-leading 36 yards. All three of those completions came on the drive that ended with York’s 57-yard field goal.

Bell has played in the last two preseason games and has caught 6 of 7 targets, with one drop against the Eagles, according to Pro Football Focus.

He’s basically lived up to his reputation as a player with great hands, and one who may not have the best vertical speed, but does have the football speed to get open, can change speeds effectively and get to where he needs to be on his routes.

As our film guru Lance Reisland pointed out to me, it’s clear Bell is understanding the defensive coverages he’s seeing on each snap and being able to find those spots makes him “quarterback friendly.”
 
Browns Rookie Progress Report

David Bell, Wide Receiver​

... a power slot, ... Too big for twitchy slot corners and too quick for linebackers, ...

... good at finding and settling in space, making it easy for quarterbacks to get him the ball. His size and strength allow him to be an asset as a run blocker, ...

... the team has options. ... Harrison Bryant. Bryant is entering his third season and will play as the second tight end, but that could see him get plenty of snaps in the slot.

The Browns want Bell to be a factor in that position, but that's a tall order for a rookie to man that position full-time.
 

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