49ers NFL Draft: 4 way-too-early targets for San Francisco in 2022
By Peter Panacy
848. . Wide Receiver. Boilermakers . David Bell. 2. player
49ers Draft Target No. 2: Wide Receiver David Bell, Purdue
The 49ers surprisingly passed on a wide receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft despite a deep class and the need, breaking an 18-year streak of having selected a wideout on draft day.
While it’s possible a younger player like Jauan Jennings secures the No. 3 spot behind the two starters, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, it’s equally as possible the Niners are once again looking early at wide receivers who can contribute in a big way. The fact this portion of the roster is still in doubt almost requires San Francisco to be interested.
Unfortunately, the 2022 NFL Draft isn’t going to be as deep as it was this year, but there are still some quality targets.
Including Purdue wide receiver David Bell.
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2019 | Purdue | Big Ten | FR | WR | 12 | 86 | 1035 | 12.0 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 1 | 89 | 1047 | 11.8 | 8 |
| 2020 | Purdue | Big Ten | SO | WR | 6 | 53 | 625 | 11.8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 625 | 11.8 | 8 | |
| Career | Purdue | 139 | 1660 | 11.9 | 15 | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 1 | 142 | 1672 | 11.8 | 16 |
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference
Generated 6/18/2021.
Bell has all the makings for a quality possession-type receiver. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he’s not a burner but has solid hands and plays with the physicality required to be a reliable third-down target and red-zone weapon
And he’s been productive, too, averaging over 90 receiving yards in the 18 games he’s played at the college level, which could make him a surefire second-round pick.