Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report
The Ohio State University has a lengthy list of prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft. From potential number one pick Joey Bosa, to stud wide receiver Michael Thomas, to a solid option at defensive tackle in Adolphus Washington. One of those intriguing names on that deep list is strong safety Vonn Bell.
The Georgia native bypassed the welcoming gates of SEC schools to take his talents to Columbus. Bell started off as a corner early in his Buckeye career but moved to the safety spot in 2014 and hasn’t looked back since. Let’s jump right into the breakdown of Bell.
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Height: 5’11
Weight: 210 lbs
Strengths: Cornerback traits are easily seen when viewing Bell’s tape…..Sharp ball skills, nine career interceptions, 15 pass defensed in his career…..Displays consistent ability to read and identify route combinations while in coverage…..Playmaking ability; constantly around the ball on turnovers……Shows discipline in coverage to not bite on double moves or play action fakes….Read’s the eyes of the quarterback and wastes little motion to break on the pass…..Just in terms of pass coverage, one of the best safeties in the class…..Made impactful contributions against the bigger competition (2014 vs. Bama – eight tackles, one INT; 2014 vs. Wisc. – seven tackles, one INT; 2013 vs. Clem – seven tackles, one INT).
Weaknesses: His size is more of a concern than you think…..Will be a liability against the bigger, stronger, more athletic wide receivers and tight ends…..Diagnosis of run plays seems slow and hesitant….In some cases, Bell allows the run play to get on top of him instead of meeting the play heads on……Doesn’t always take the best of angles.
Bottom line: Bell is one of the better safeties in the entire draft. His instincts are rare for strong safeties as is the ball skills and the efficiency in pass coverage. His football IQ is not too shabby as well. A once stable candidate in my list of top five overall safeties, Bell is no longer on the particular list. As solid as he is in his overall game, his size is enough to keep you uneasy.
The problem didn’t hinder as much at the collegiate level based on the fact that he had NFL caliber talent all around him. Every player has their game. In Bell, there is not enough physicality that is often seen at the position. I for one would not be surprised to see Bell sliding to free safety due to his polished coverage ability.
He will be drafted early as he will be gone by the mid-2nd. Yet, if you’re looking for a physical nature at the strong safety spot, Bell may not be your guy.
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