What they're saying: Draft grades, national opinions on Ronnie Bell to the San Francisco 49ers
Michigan Wolverines football wide receiver Ronnie Bell was chosen by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round, and the organization got great value according to most experts. Pro Football Network gave the 49ers an ‘A-‘ grade for the Bell selection, while The Tennessean handed the pick a ‘B-.’
Here’s a further look around the internet at what they’re saying about Bell to the 49ers.
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Kyle Madson, Niners Wire: Where Michigan WR Ronnie Bell fits in 49ers’ WR corps
There isn’t a ton of room for pass catchers in the 49ers’ offense, so it’s the smaller aspects of the position that could lead to Bell making the team as a rookie. He’s a good blocker and plays with a hard-nosed style that should help him contribute right away on special teams. That blocking ability will be Step 1 to getting on the field on offense.
If he can make an impact as more than just a receiver, he’ll have an inside track to a spot on the back end of the roster. If he doesn’t, he could follow the [Juan] Jennings path where he spends a year on the practice squad and then carves out a role in the offense in Year 2.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: 2023 NFL Draft takeaways: Quarterbacks go early, often in record-setting event, league sets new trade record
Ronnie Bell is a pace-based WR who understands how to change gears to get open. There’s some burst/athleticism to his game, but that’s not how he’ll win in the NFL. He has slippery, subtle contact balance and cutting skill that help him excel after the catch. He’s super-willing in that regard, too. He will fight for every yard once he has the ball in his hands. His hands are very reliable, but he doesn’t play big down the field or when there’s traffic near him.
Speed looks average at its very best. He has plenty of inside-out experience, and he ran an assortment of routes in college. He won’t be for everyone because he doesn’t have wow athleticism, but he understands what it takes to find space in the NFL and maximize every ounce of his physical ability after the catch.
Matt Barrows, The Athletic: San Francisco 49ers NFL Draft picks 2023: Grades, fits and scouting reports
He projects to be a slot receiver on the 49ers and will battle Tay Martin and others for pecking order at the end of San Francisco’s receiver rotation.
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Kyle Posey, Niners Nation: 49ers instant reaction draft grades: The Niners deserve a solid B
Pick Grade: B-
It doesn’t take long to realize why the 49ers invested a draft pick in Bell. He could provide similar production that the team received from Kendrick Bourne during his tenure with the Niners, or what Jauan Jennings has done.
He’s more explosive than Jennings, but they both use a change of tempo to get open to make up for their lack of a second gear. I think Bell is better than both Bourne and Jennings with the ball in his hands, and wouldn’t rule out him having an impact at some point during his rookie contract.
Nicholas McGee, Forbes: Defensive Depth And Offensive Flexibility Were The Themes Of The 49ers’ Draft Class
Bell’s skill set is a more familiar one to the 49ers. He has inside-out versatility, can make tough catches and excels after the catch. Sounds very much like a San Francisco receiver.
PFF: 2023 NFL Draft Grades
Pick Grade: Above Average
Bell averaged 2.57 yards per route run in his final season in college. He struggled in contested catch situations, pulling in a reception on just 16.7% of his contested targets, but did produce a 77.4 PFF receiving grade.
