Rnd 4 - Pick #125: WR Skyler Bell - UConn

[Simon]

.

 

[bearcat]

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/skyler-bell/32004245-4c59-7603-cc96-b8c02677ce1f

[WEATHER DOT COM]

Sweet

[bills6969]

[buffblue]

We did it!

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

This kid is awesome, love the hands, has enough speed, tons of production. Great pick!

Edited April 25 by BuffaloBillsGospel2014

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

The next Marcus Easley!! 

[TheBrownBear]

Boooooooommmmmm

[NewEra]

Thank goodness.  

[vanislebills44]

ring the damn bell...beauty

[Green Lightning]

Need an X, not a slot, but hey, it's a receiver.

[YoloinOhio]

 

[DaggersEOD]

[transplantbillsfan]

It's still round 4... isn't it????

 

This is a pretty awesome pick in the end of the 4th. Everyone agree?

 

Also, can he return punts?

[NoSaint]

I think not big for us this year but helps us transition some salary out next year 

[LEBills]

My 6th overall WR in this class!!

 

#9 Skyler Bell, UConn (round 3-4)

- Transferred to UConn after three years at Wisconsin

- UConn’s first ever consensus All-American

 

What does he do on film

 

 

1:30 inside release, works back to the ball and then a quick transition upfield

 

2:26 excellent quickness in his RAC

 

3:28 ability to quickly decelerate near the sideline and quickly transition to a runner is some of the best in the class

 

3:40 bunch formation, defender jumped the screen but Bell was able to break the tackle for the long touchdown

 

5:36 Ahhh the Duke game. One thing I like to look for in prospects are signature games and this was it for Bell where he willed the team to a win. In this frame they start him in the backfield and have him run a wheel route.

 

5:49 starts in the slot. Sells he is about to block for the screen and then sneaks in for an open TD

 

6:05 defender is all over him riding him out of bounds. Re-establishes himself for the game winning TD fighting for the catch through contact

 

Weaknesses:

- Thin framed

- Will be 24 before the season begins

- Had a high drop rate prior to this year

- This year 43% of his routes were crossers and screens

 

Conclusion:

Skyler Bell reminds me so much of Zay Flowers. Flowers best routes are in the short to intermediate where he can use his elite quickness to gain separation and I see the same from Bell. Both are not the most physical player and get their YAC from quickness rather than tackle breaking. Neither is very physical in contested catch situations and so the deeper routes are not their best use, but Zay has been very effective when Lamar goes off script finding open space for Lamar to throw to and I see similar ability to avoid contested catches by Bell.

 

Despite this exciting comp, Bell has several concerns too. First, he will be 24 by the time his rookie season begins. Much of his production in college occurred when he became an upperclassman. Second, Bell had a concerning drop rate prior to this year. From 2022-2024, Bell had a drop rate of over 14% before cutting that to less than 4% this year. Part of the reason why that improved so much is that his aDOT dropped significantly this year. However, when I watch him catch the ball I do think he has good form and has shown the ability to track deeper passes well. Lastly, despite playing over 60% out wide, his numbers vs press likely means he will be moved off ball in the slot or Z.

 

I think Bell is ready to start right away as a playmaker on whatever team drafts him. Any team in need of better efficiency in their short and intermediate offense will reap the most benefit out of him.

Edited April 25 by LEBills

[HappyDays]

I'm going to pretend this was our 2nd round pick and Igbinosun was our 4th round pick. I feel better already!

 

Bell is kind of like the poor man's version of KC Concepcion. I always liked the idea of him at #91 better than Concepcion at #26, and getting him even later than that feels like a win.

 

Edited April 25 by HappyDays

[TheBrownBear]

Swing tackle and a playmaking receiver with elite college production who can play outside? Mid-to-late round Beane has entered the chat.

Edited April 25 by TheBrownBear

[ChevyVanMiller]

Finally, a pick that we can all get behind.
 

Edited April 25 by ChevyVanMiller

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

Well there’s the WR. Now maybe we can move on with our lives for a few months. Welcome to the team.