San Francisco 49ers select Ronnie Bell in seventh round of 2023 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers selected former Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell with the No. 253 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

After a torn ACL ended his 2021 season in the first game, and first catch, Bell came back in 2022 to help the Wolverines get back to the College Football Playoff. He finished the season with 62 catches, 889 yards, four touchdowns and 14.3 yards per catch, the best numbers of his career.

Getting his injured season back was huge for his draft stock. Bell’s previous play showed he could perform at a high level. In his career, Bell finished with 145 catches, 2,269 yards, nine touchdowns and 15.6 yards per catch.

As a member of the Class of 2018, Bell was a three-star recruit out of Kansas City (Mo.) Park Hill, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 16 overall prospect in the state, the No. 220 wide receiver in the class and the No. 1,411 overall prospect in the class.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Ronnie Bell

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter broke down the scouting report of Bell after a solid career at Michigan and a fantastic finish in 2022.

He mentioned Bell’s history compared to other former top picks from the state of Missouri.

“When Bell’s career ended at Park Hill High School in Missouri, he ranked in the top three in state history in receptions and receiving yards — only former NFL wideouts Dorial Green-Beckham and Jeremy Maclin had more in those categories than Bell,” Reuter wrote. “He was Michigan’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 (8-145-18.1, two TDs receiving; 2-53-26.5 kick returns; 2-7-3.5 punt returns) and Offensive Skill Player of the Year in 2019 (48-758-15.8, one TD receiving; 8-67-8.4 punt returns). Bell led the Wolverines in receiving in 2020 (26-401-15.4, one TD) while starting all six games. Unfortunately, the team captain tore his ACL in the 2021 season-opener after making a few big plays, including a 76-yard reception and 31-yard punt return. 

Back healthy in 2022, he garnered third-team All-Big Ten Conference honors and was named the team’s Offensive Skill Player of the Year with a team-high 62 receptions and 889 receiving yards (14.3 per) while scoring four times in 14 starts. He also chipped in as a rusher (3-23-7.7, one TD rushing) and punt returner (2-45-22.5).”