San Francisco 49ers: Who is tight end Blake Bell?
By Peter Panacy
Niner Noise’s “who is?” continues taking a look at San Francisco 49ers players in 2017. In this article, we take a look at tight end Blake Bell.
San Francisco 49ers tight end Blake Bell could see his brief and underachieving tenure with the team come to a close in 2017.
This, almost entirely due to general manager John Lynch’s actions to bring in additional TEs via free agency and the NFL Draft — Logan Paulsen and George Kittle, respectively.
Bell’s two-plus seasons at the pro level haven’t produced anything justifying a spot on the Niners’ 53-man roster this upcoming year. The former Oklahoma quarterback-turned-tight end could still be seen as raw but talented.
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But the NFL is, perhaps, the most “what have you done for me lately?” league in professional sports.
And for a 49ers team going through a complete rebuild, Bell’s inability to contribute so far isn’t a good thing.
San Francisco 49ers
Why He’ll Improve
Bell’s 6-foot-6, 263-pound frame is enough to suggest he has the physical gifts to become a mismatch nightmare against defenses’ linebackers and safeties at this level.
And we have to factor in Bell played just one year at this position at Oklahoma before San Francisco grabbed him with a fourth-round pick back in 2015.
The possibility of a slower learning curve might just be the best thing in Bell’s favor right now. With head coach Kyle Shanahan implementing a new system in Santa Clara, Bell might see some different looks that actually exploit his physical attributes and make him the legitimate threat for which the Niners had been hoping for some time now.
Worth noting was San Francisco’s efforts to move No. 1 tight end Vance McDonald prior to the NFL Draft.
McDonald stayed put, but at least the thought of the 49ers moving forward here opens up a slightly bigger window.
Why He’ll Regress
To date, Bell has done nothing to show he belongs on an NFL roster.
Even on a bad 49ers team last year — with McDonald and Garrett Celek the only other legitimate options — Bell managed just four receptions for 85 yards.
And while McDonald’s possible departure may help, adding both Paulsen and Kittle cast doubt on Bell’s chances to make the roster.
With Kittle likely being the Niners’ new favorite weapon at the position, Bell may wind up being a forgotten commodity.
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Bell’s primary competition in training camp will likely be Celek, which doesn’t bode well. Bell doesn’t have the blocking abilities of Paulsen, nor does he know Shanahan’s system. Paulsen does. Celek has, at least, proven himself worthy of an NFL roster spot.
And Kittle isn’t going anywhere.
What to Expect in 2017
Barring injuries or something completely unforeseen, Bell’s chances of making the roster are slim at best.
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McDonald could be on the outs too, but that still leaves Bell competing for one of likely three tight end spots.
And he’s no favorite to usurp anyone else already mentioned.
Next: 5 dark-horse candidates to start for the 49ers in 2017
In all likelihood, the 49ers retain Bell through the preseason and let go of him during the final wave of roster cuts. Perhaps another team takes a shot on him and thinks he can contribute. But it’s equally as possible Bell winds up being one of many NFL players whose pro careers fizzled out too early.