Purdue WR David Bell
6-foot-1
212 pounds
Yahoo Sports’ 2022 NFL draft grade
5.60 — possible third- or fourth-rounder; contributor potential
TL;DR scouting report
Extremely productive player with three-year track record, but the lack of dynamic athleticism limits his appeal to a degree
The skinny
A 4-star Rivals recruit (No. 95 nationally) in the Class of 2019, Bell chose the Boilermakers over Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa and Indiana and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year that year, catching 86 passes for 1,035 yards and seven TDs and rushing three times for 12 yards and a TD in 12 games (nine starts). In 2020, he caught 53 passes for 625 yards and eight TDs in six starts. Bell grabbed 93 passes for 1,286 yards and six TDs and rushed three times for 39 yards in 11 starts, opting out of the bowl game and declaring early for the 2022 NFL draft.
Purdue WR David Bell has been one of the most productive pass catchers in college football the past three years. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Upside
Sturdy frame — well-built to take hits in traffic
Decent length — 6-foot-1 with 32 5/8-inch arms (pro day measurement)
10-yard split time (1.56 seconds) displays his quick-starting speed
Plays with a physical edge and can power his way through tackle attempts
Nice body control to adjust outside his frame and work the sidelines
Crafty — mixes up releases, route tempos to befuddle DBs
Consistently won battles on the outside but also well-versed in slot
Extremely sure hands — only 11 drops on 338 career targets, per PFF
Highly, consistently productive — 100-plus yards receiving in 17 of 29 career games
Turned in a 240-yard effort vs. gifted Iowa D — most Hawkeyes have ever allowed to single receiver
Caught about 30% of Purdue’s passes last season — had target on his back and still produced
Productive with and without Rondale Moore on field in 2019-2020
Has shown some effectiveness as a runner in limited handoffs
Works back to the ball well on scramble drills
Tough and…