Cleveland Browns: Could David Bell Have A Sizable Role In Year 1?

There is definitely some competition in the WR room, but David Bell could carve out a significant role for himself in year one with the Cleveland Browns.

Things are changing for the Cleveland Browns. Since Kevin Stefanski took over as the head coach in Cleveland, he’s brought the wide zone system with him, which requires a fantastic unit up front, often defined by quickness, functional athleticism, along with pre-snap and reactive processing skills. Running backs need to have the anticipatory and reactive skills as well to process when lanes could open and often find said cutback lanes. It put less heat on the quarterback and loaded up with multiple tight ends.

After the trade for Deshaun Watson, things will be tweaked a bit. The wide zone won’t be thrown out, but personnel groupings could take a shift, now that an uber-talented quarterback is in the fold. Gone could be games with heavy “12” personnel with some 13 mixed it, with three wide receiver sets to replace it.

Amari Cooper will obviously be the go-to guy in the passing game, but who is ready to step up behind him? Donovan Peoples-Jones has been a good vertical threat with the size to win the catch point, and Anthony Schwartz got some touches as a rookie to utilize his track speed as well. However, the biggest beneficiary could be rookie David Bell.

Bell has known nothing but production since he stepped onto the field in West Lafayette. The Purdue star had 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman. He then averaged over 100 yards per game in a COVID-shortened season. The production spiked in 2021, as he caught 93 passes for 1,286 yards and six touchdowns. Not to mention, two of his biggest games were in upset wins over highly-ranked opponents (Michigan State and Iowa).

Production, of course, wasn’t the reason Bell fell to pick 99. It was the concerns over athleticism. Now, that isn’t just zeroing in on combine numbers. There are some functional athleticism concerns in terms of short area burst, being able to explode out of breaks, as well as lacking the ability to find a second gear either late in his route or after the catch.

The good news is that it should be sufficient if he takes on a “Z” or slot role. Bell brings a ton of positive traits, from his hands, body control, and ability to be a quarterback’s best friend in terms of moving the chains and winning at the catch point. While his speed isn’t elite, it’s sufficient after the catch, where he also stays creative with his movements to manipulate space and defenders.

If the Cleveland Browns want to stay in a lot more “11” personnel in 2022, Bell could find a nice home in the slot as a chain mover who can work underneath and pick up yardage after the catch with his vision, creativity, and toughness. Think of Juju Smith-Schuster and what he could do from the slot. Even if he’s outside, his understanding of space and leverage will help him generate some space for himself to be a reliable target in the intermediate area as well.

It might not be an otherworldly rookie season, but don’t be surprised to see David Bell find a key role for a Cleveland Browns team on the rise in a loaded AFC.