/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46258288/usa-today-8294786.0.jpg)
With the 26th pick of the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected wide receiver Kenny Bell out of Nebraska. The Bucs had this pick as a consequence of trading Jeremy Zuttah to the Baltimore Ravens last year.
Bell put up 2,689 yards on 181 catches with 21 touchdowns in a four-year career at Nebraska. One thing that'll appeal to the Buccaneers: he has quite a bit of experience as a kick returner, and the Bucs really need to add some return specialists. Bell has good size at 6'1", 197 lbs. and ran a solid 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the combine, speed that also shows up on film.
Lance Zierlein had this to say about Bell:
Lanky, vertical wide receiver with a second gear. He likes to lull cornerbacks to sleep before hitting the gas and getting over the top of them for big plays. Bell is a little more straight-lined than some teams are looking for, but with reliable hands and an ability to make plays on the ball down the field, he has starter's traits as a potential No. 2 WR in the league.
The fact that Matt Waldman really likes him (and went into a lot of depth about him) should appeal to people, too.
Bell will probably compete for a spot on the roster behind Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and Louis Murphy, and he could potentially get on the field as a third or fourth receiver this year. At first glance he looks like more of an outside receiver than a slot guy, but Dirk Koetter tends to be fairly interchangeable with his receivers and both Evans and Jackson have frequently lined up in the slot.
Also, he does this:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have two more picks left, one in the sixth round, and one in the seventh round. Stick with us as we cover those picks, as well as the undrafted free agent rush afterwards.
Round | Pick | Overall | Player |
1 | 1 | 1 | Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State |
2 | 2 | 34 | Donovan Smith, T, Penn State |
2 | 29 | 61 | Ali Marpet, G, Hobart |
4 | 25 | 124 | LB Kwon Alexander, LSU |
5 | 26 | 162 | WR Kenny Bell, Nebraska |
6 | 8 | 184 | |
7 | 14 | 231 |