Browns' 2024 Make Or Break Player: David Bell (NFL)
NFL

Browns' 2024 Make Or Break Player: David Bell

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
author image

The last two offseasons haven't necessarily been kind to third-year Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell. Since drafting him with the No. 99 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, general manager Andrew Berry has continued to invest premium capital in other receivers, leaving the former Purdue wideout in an unclear, lesser-defined role. Bell is entering a make-or-break season in 2024, and he'll have to earn every rep he receives.

Bell was initially drafted with the hope that he’d grow into a supporting role opposite WR1 Amari Cooper. Donovan Peoples-Jones was the only other receiver on the roster in 2022 that should have posed a threat to Bell’s playing time. Despite a clear pathway to production, he recorded just 24 catches for 214 yards in 16 games with three starts.

The Browns made immediate changes in 2023. Berry acquired wide receiver Elijah Moore from the New York Jets in an offseason trade. Moore ended up playing a team-high 903 snaps this past season. Cleveland also drafted Cedric Tillman with the 74th pick in the 2023 draft, making it back-to-back years with top 100 picks at the position. 

Tillman out-snapped Bell, playing 609 snaps, which accounted for nearly 50% of all Browns' offensive plays. Bell saw a significant decrease in his playing time, earning 217 offensive snaps versus the 516 he had played the year before. The coaching staff lost faith in his abilities as he was limited to just 14 receptions as a sophomore.

Things have somehow gotten worse for Bell this offseason. Berry acquired Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster offseason trade. Jeudy was immediately signed to a three-year, $58 million contract extension that contains $41 million in guarantees. There's no question that he'll be the starting boundary receiver opposite Cooper. Moore will continue playing the slot in 11 personnel, giving head coach Kevin Stefanski a clear top three.

Berry's relentless obsession with upgrading the receiver spot didn't stop there. Former Louisville wideout Jamari Thrash was selected with a fifth-round pick in April, making it consecutive drafts that Berry has drafted competition for Bell. Tillman will be the No. 4 receiver this season, and Thrash could be the fifth option. Will Bell even make Cleveland's 53-man roster?

Berry's non-stop pursuit of improvement at receiver is understandable. It's a critical season for the Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson, who hasn't come close to meeting the expectations of his fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal. Cleveland is leaving no stone unturned in their attempt to revive Watson's career, whom after his season-ending injury, was outplayed by veteran journeyman Joe Flacco, who came off the couch in November.

Bell isn’t the only member of the Browns’ 2022 class that is now facing a make-or-break campaign. Exactly 21 picks before selecting Bell, Berry drafted former UAB pass-rusher Alex Wright at No. 78 overall. Wright produced 5.0 sacks last season after a zero-burger as a rookie.

Bell hasn't developed into a starting-caliber receiver. With Moore, Jeudy, Tillman, and Thrash joining Cleveland since his drafting, he’ll now compete for No. 5 or 6 duties throughout training camp and the preseason. Bell is on the roster bubble in a now-or-never offseason.



Loading...
Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2025 The Draft Network