Browns believe David Bell possessed 'some of the best hands in the draft class'

#1:Browns believe David Bell possessed 'some of the best hands in the draft class' 

Andrew Berry thinks the Browns might have drafted one of the most sure-handed receivers of the draft class Friday at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.

David Bell was the Browns' final pick of Day 2 at 99th overall, and he could be a big one because of how reliable he proved to be across three seasons at Purdue. Bell had only 11 drops mixed with 232 receptions and had a drop rate of just 4.7 percent, one of the best in the nation.

When Bell can get his hands on a pass, he usually catches it. That's what stood out most to Berry and the Browns when they were evaluating him, and Berry, the Browns Executive Vice President and GM, certainly made it sound as though those skills could give Bell a big role in the offense as soon as the 2022 season begins.

"It probably starts really with just his hands," Berry said. "We thought he had some of the best hands in this draft class. He is also very savvy as a route runner, just very nuanced and polished and has the ability to separate."

Berry made it clear that he envisioned Bell as a player who can handle most snaps from the slot, where a big body, reliable hands and crisp route running is needed most. Bell fits the profile at 6-foot, 212-pounds and garnered plenty of experience at the position with the Boilermakers. He's capable of playing outside, too, although the Browns already have at least one player capable of filling that role with Amari Cooper.

Bell said he's studied Cooper since he was a college player in Alabama, and the two share similar traits as big receivers who have built their success on catching the football, avoiding drops and outmuscling defenders when the ball is in the air.

Cooper could be a great mentor for Bell, and it's possible that Bell is penciled in the spot behind Cooper on the depth chart if he performs well in training camp.

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