New England Patriots select Jaheim Bell in seventh round of 2024 NFL Draft

Florida State tight end Jaheim Bell has been selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, taken with the No. 231 overall pick.

Bell spent the last season with the Seminoles after originally beginning his career at South Carolina. He spent three seasons with the Gamecocks before transferring.

It was at Florida State where Bell produced his best work, though.

He finished his lone campaign in garnet and gold with 39 catches for 503 yards and two touchdowns. What was interesting was that Bell wasn’t used as much out of the backfield in Tallahassee, something he’d proven adept at while in Columbia.

During his 2022 campaign with the Gamecocks, Bell ran 73 times for 261 yards and three touchdowns.

That might be something he looks to continue at the NFL level, given his lack of ideal height for the position. In any case, Bell is a versatile offensive threat.

Prior to enrolling at South Carolina, Jaheim Bell was rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 342 overall player in the 2020 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

He also checked in as the No. 12 tight end in the class and the No. 35 overall player from the state of Georgia, hailing from Valdosta (GA) Valdosta.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jaheim Bell

Unsurprisingly, the lack of ideal height for the position is the No. 1 factor many analysts point to when evaluating Bell’s draft stock.

He’s also primarily been a pass-catcher, not necessarily excelling at in-line blocking. That’s an area of his game that will need definite work at the next level.

Writes the NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein in evaluating Jaheim Bell:

“Undersized as a tight end and lacking instincts as a lead blocker out of the backfield, Bell is a player without a clean positional fit after playing all over the field at South Carolina and Florida State. When Bell centers in and locks up, he can be an effective blocker, but he is wildly inconsistent when asked to make blocks on the move in space.

“He’s tight-hipped, but he does have the speed to run the seams and is a talented runner after the catch. He might need to find a modified gadget role and really show out on special teams to make a squad.”