NFL Draft: Michigan receiver Ronnie Bell goes to San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round
Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell has had some setbacks in his career, including a devastating knee injury in the opener against Western Michigan two seasons ago. He returned better than ever, put in the time, and had a very good fifth season.
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Still, NFL teams had questions about his durability and ceiling. Though Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said several times he “wished he had 100 Ronnie Bells on his team,” Bell had to wait until day 3 to get drafted, the ninth Wolverine off the board. The San Francisco 49ers took him in the seventh round, No. 253 overall, on Saturday.
That was typically where he was projected.
“Listen, Bell is a possession receiver,” ESPN analyst Todd McShay said on the broadcast. “He lacks the speed to take the top off. He’s never going to be a big-play threat after the catch. But he’s got savvy. He’s a good route runner, he will block and this dude shows up on third downs. He’s clutch in those situations. As a No. 4, No. 5 competing early on, as a possession, slot receiver or even on the outside at times, it’ll be interesting to see if Bell can carve a little niche with this 49ers team.”
“A four-year starter at Michigan, Bell was an inside and outside receiver in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s pro-style spread offense,” the Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote. “After missing the 2021 season with a torn ACL, he worked his way back and posted career bests in every receiving category, leading the Wolverines in receiving for the third time in the past four seasons. Bell’s basketball background is evident with his smooth steps and movements and the way he leaps, floats and attacks the football.
“However … he is quicker than fast with only average acceleration through contact and out of stems, which is tough to overcome vs. NFL coverage. Overall, Bell is a naturally instinctive and competitive pass catcher and brings the right mindset to the NFL game, but creating separation and finishing catches in crowded windows will be a tall task at the next level. He has the skill set to carve out a Rashard Higgins-like role in the NFL.”
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Higgins, a 5th-round pick out of Colorado State in 2016, spent the last 6 seasons in Cleveland. His best season came in 2020 when he caught 599 yards in passes with 4 touchdowns.
Bell is anxious to prove himself at the next level after catching 62 passes for 899 yards and 4 touchdowns a year ago. He finished is Michigan career with 145 receptions for 2,269 yards and 9 scores and was solid at the NFL Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds with a 10-yard split of 1.52 seconds, made it through the 3-cone drill with a time of 6.98 seconds, and completed his 20-yard shuttle in 4.15 seconds.
Bell also recorded a 10-foot broad jump and 38.5 inches on his vertical jump.
“True Michigan Man, displaying the competitive spirit and work ethic expected inside the program,” NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “Bell made it back in 2022 after sustaining an ACL tear in 2021, but he still looked a little passive getting in and out of breaks at times. His surprisingly low contested catch total is a bit deceiving, as the tape shows some incredible near-catches at challenging angles. So, his ball skills are a strength.
“He can catch what is thrown to him, but might need to do it against zone or with help from scheme, as he potentially lacks the separation traits to get open consistently on the next level.”
But at least he’ll get his chance, starting with the TEAM.
