2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: David Bell
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Purdue
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 212lbs
Film Watched: Notre Dame 2021, Wisconsin 2021, Northwestern 2020
Pro's:
- Solid, thick frame that can withstand punishment
- Meticulous route runner with dedication to footwork apparent on every snap
- Glides off the line of scrimmage and into his route stem efficiently, with no wasted steps
- Perfect timing on double moves and cuts create natural, effortless separation
- Demonstrates elite body control on sideline grabs, contorting to make the catch & deny defender
- Natural hands with a penchant for unreasonable catches
- Underappreciated adjustment to timing and route running to open up the catch window
- Fearless running into congestion, and is happy to engage contact in order to maximise yardage
- Production machine at Purdue, averaging over 100 receiving yards a game
David Bell is a WR prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 2.72 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1862 out of 2557 WR from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/aBYAkX5jkh #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/FMhyObw7js
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 4, 2022
Con's:
- Lack of burst. Smooth off the line with elongated acceleration
- Limited top speed
- Surprising yards after the catch at Purdue likely harder to come by at the next level
- Gears down to change direction. Creates separation with timing & deception, not suddenness
- Beneficiary of an optimised Boilermaker playbook, potentially inflating stats
The Verdict:
“David Bell is the classic example of a wide receiver whose limited athletic profile has been far from a hindrance in his collegiate career. If anything, it’s forced him to perfect his craft and really hone in on the nuances of the position to maximise his effectiveness. For those who live and die by combine testing, Bell won’t be anything other than a day three pick. But take a look at the tape and you see a receiver who still gets separation, who still wins at the catch point, and who can be an effective outlet at all three levels of the field. For those who appreciate the art of wide receiver, he will be held in much higher esteem. Bell’s ceiling may be limited as he negotiates the step up in competition, but he’s an oven ready pass catcher who can make an immediate impact in the NFL from any alignment.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: DOUG BALDWIN
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
5/5