49ers roster 2023: Ronnie Bell poised to be latest Day 3 draft gem

The 49ers have had some luck finding stars on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, and it's possible Ronnie Bell winds up being the next example.

With the 253rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected former Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell.

It wasn't quite as late as the Niners' previous Round 7 selection that turned oh-so-many pages, quarterback Brock Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 draft. However, it's close enough. And if there's one player from San Francisco's 2023 draft class who could come out of the depths of day three and emerge as a potential star, it's likely Bell.

Bell, 6-foot-0 and 192 pounds, had a productive five-year tenure with the Wolverines that included a redshirt senior year in 2021.

In fact, Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline tabbed Bell as a likely fifth-round prospect, which would entail the 49ers got a bit of a steal by nabbing him in Round 7. Yet if the Niners took Bell earlier, say in Round 4 or 5, few would have complained one bit.

Yet Bell joins a San Francisco offense that already has one superstar wide receiver, Deebo Samuel, and is swiftly building another in Brandon Aiyuk, the latter having actually led the team in receiving yards last season.

With other B-list receivers like Jauan Jennings, Danny Gray and Ray-Ray McCloud also vying for touches, will there actually be room for Bell to make an immediate impact?

Why did the 49ers pick Ronnie Bell in the NFL Draft?

Samuel and Aiyuk headline the list, yes. And the 49ers have already picked up the latter's fifth-year option for 2024, meaning these two will play together both this and next season, barring a trade or some unforeseen transaction.

That said, the depth behind those two is questionable. McCloud and Jennings are both free agents after this season, and Gray fell out of favor quickly after impressing during the preseason a year ago.

While Bell isn't necessarily the fastest, having ran a 4.54 40-yard time at the NFL Combine, Bell does possess some solid physicality, isn't afraid of contact and is arguably one of the few Niners wideouts who'll actively fight for the ball in 50-50 battles.

Bell showcased some of those abilities during San Francisco's rookie minicamp, according to Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn:

Cohn pointed out that the 49ers want Bell to become the receiver they originally hoped a 2018 second-round pick, Dante Pettis, would be.

How much are the 49ers paying Ronnie Bell in 2023?

As a seventh-round draft pick, Bell isn't going to make too much, and his 2023 salary doesn't even count against the offseason top-51 rule to determine whether or not teams are under the salary cap threshold.

Read more: ESPN reveals painful truth about 49ers WRs Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk

Per Over the Cap, Bell will earn $769,446 this season, and his $77,784 prorated signing bonus is fully guaranteed but spread over the four years of his deal.

Will Ronnie Bell make the 49ers' 53-man roster?

It's pretty safe to assume the Niners' first four spots at wide receiver are filled for the regular-season roster:

1. Deebo Samuel
2. Brandon Aiyuk
3. Jauan Jennings
4. Ray-Ray McCloud

Assuming San Francisco keeps six, Bell will have to beat out a number of other names like Gray, Chris Conley, Tay Martin, Dazz Newsome, Willie Snead IV and Isaiah Winstead. The latter is an undrafed rookie, and Bell essentially beat him out during rookie minicamp already.

But there's some stiff competition against some veterans, too, while Gray's speed could directly threaten Gray's strength.

On top of that, fifth- or sixth-string wideouts must contribute elsewhere to stand a chance, so Bell better have some special teams prowess.

If he flashes those skills, he does have an excellent chance to hang around as a reserve receiver this season.

There's still a lot of work he needs to do to ensure it, though.

Read more from Niner Noise