David Bell | Purdue 6’1” 212 lbs. | 12/14/2000 (Age 21)
David Bell was drafted 99th overall by the Cleveland Browns, becoming the 16th wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Yards | Yards/Catch | TDs |
| 2019 (FR) | 12 | 86 | 1,035 | 12.0 | 7 |
| 2020 (SO) | 6 | 53 | 625 | 11.8 | 8 |
| 2021 (JR) | 11 | 93 | 1,286 | 13.8 | 6 |
In his first season at Purdue, Bell earned Freshman All-American and Big Ten Freshman of the Year by hauling in 86 receptions for 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns. He played in half as many games the following season, but his 12-game pace calculated out to about 106 receptions for 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns. In his final season in West Lafayette, he earned first-team Associated Press All-American and served as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award by snagging 93 receptions for 1,286 yards and six touchdowns. In his last 17 games played, his volume target rate exceeded 100 yards in 11 of them. In fact, during his 29-game collegiate career, he averaged eight receptions, 70.6 receiving yards, and just under one touchdown per game.
STRENGTHS
Has the strength and frame of an ideal receiver who can produce volume in underneath routes. Works over the middle of the field well. Can line up inside or out, as he shows the capability of overpowering corners at a consistent rate. Finds the soft spots in zones well, and is an artist at snagging back-shoulder throws. Maximizes yards after the catch with his strength and elusiveness with sudden cuts.
WEAKNESSES
Lacks speed down the field. Only delivers one type of speed, as he never seems to hit another gear. Can be knocked off guard when running routes, delivering inconsistent route-running capabilities. Below average when fighting for 50/50 balls.
ATHLETIC TESTING
At the NFL combine, Bell measured in at 6’1” and 212 lbs. Which equates to a BMI of 27.8. He ran a 4.65 40-yard dash (86th percentile), equating to an 89.4-speed score (34th percentile). Bell also displayed a 115.1 burst score (19th percentile), an agility score of 11.71 (9th percentile), a 9.76 catch radius (12th percentile), and a college dominator score of 35.1 percent (68th percentile).
Bell doesn’t showcase any elite athletic traits. He did record a decent 33” vertical and a 118” broad jump, but he didn’t stand out in any of the athletic testing drills.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Good
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Good
Bell was selected with the 99th-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
Deshaun Watson gets another weapon after the Browns traded for Amari Cooper this past offseason. Bell and Cooper help the Browns turn the next page in this new era in Cleveland.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Bell should compete with Donovan Peoples-Jones for the WR2 spot on this team. He’s a top-20 receiver in this class, and he’ll likely be fantasy relevant early on in his career. He’s middle-round talent in both rookie and start-up leagues. You should be able to tell early on if Bell has a bright future with one of the best quarterbacks in the league slinging him the ball. In redraft leagues, he may be worth a late-round selection, but he has a lot to prove this offseason before then.
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