Prospect Bio

David Bell was a two-sport athlete coming out of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bell posted 85 receptions for 1,542 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior, leading Warren Central to a 6A state title. Accolades followed Bell’s monumental senior season, being named Gatorade State Player of the Year in Indiana, along with the Indianapolis Star Marion County Athlete of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year. Bell’s commitment to the Boilermakers landed head coach Jeff Brohm a top-25 recruiting class. Bell is currently the fifth-highest recruit in Purdue’s program history, per 247sports.

Bell contributed immediately for Purdue. Lining across from now-Arizona Cardinals receiver Rondale Moore, Bell tied for the most receptions in the Big Ten and third in receiving yards. He was one of just four players in the Big Ten to top 1,000-receiving yards in 2019. Bell followed his freshman campaign with 53 receptions, second most in the Big Ten despite a COVID-shortened season. For his final season, Bell’s 93 receptions and 1,286 receiving yards were the second most in the Big Ten. Both marks ranked top-15 nationally.

College Stats

David Bell College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference.com

Positives

+Strong hands

+ Body control

+ Great route running

+ Versatile route tree

+ Creates separation off the line

+ Good release

+18.7 Breakout Age (94th-percentile, PlayerProfiler)

+ 29.9 percent college target share (90th-percentile, PlayerProfiler)

+ 43.5 percent college dominator (89th-percentile, PlayerProfiler)

Negatives

– Not the most physical receiver

– Vertical speed

– Run after catch

– Lackluster when blocking

– 12.7 YPR

Highlight Reel

 Comparable Player: Rashod Bateman

NFL Draft Projection: Second Round

Bottom Line:

We have two full seasons of success for Bell, one with a NFL caliber receiver in Rondale Moore and another with Bell as the lone option. Bell has displayed the capability of precise route running and making defenders pay for press coverage. He has the potential to be a prototypical X-receiver. While Bell lacked the national media spotlight by playing at Purdue, he gained recognition from his elite play. In the right system, we could see production right away from David Bell as a dynasty rookie. Bell has all the tools to become a reliable receiver in the league for a decade-plus.

Post Draft Analysis:

The Day 2 draft capital for David Bell is huge. There were a lot of questions about when he would after his poor showing at the NFL Combine. He now gets an opportunity to step into the Jarvis Landry role as the primary slot receiver for the now Deshaun Watson-quarterbacked Cleveland Browns. This is best case scenario for David Bell and locks him into round two of single-quarterback dynasty rookie drafts.

Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN

Yards Per-Formance Prospect Grade