Andrew Berry thinks the Browns might have drafted one of the most sure-handed receivers of the draft class Friday at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
David Bell was the Browns' final pick of Day 2 at 99th overall, and he could be a big one because of how reliable he proved to be across three seasons at Purdue. Bell had only 11 drops mixed with 232 receptions and had a drop rate of just 4.7 percent, one of the best in the nation.
When Bell can get his hands on a pass, he usually catches it. That's what stood out most to Berry and the Browns when they were evaluating him, and Berry, the Browns Executive Vice President and GM, certainly made it sound as though those skills could give Bell a big role in the offense as soon as the 2022 season begins.
"It probably starts really with just his hands," Berry said. "We thought he had some of the best hands in this draft class. He is also very savvy as a route runner, just very nuanced and polished and has the ability to separate."
Check out photos of Browns 2022 third round pick David Bell.

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Spencer Holstege (75) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

FILE - Purdue receiver David Bell, right, catches a pass in front of Ohio State defensive back Denzel Burke during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Bell was selected to The Associated Press All-Big Ten team in results released Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) runs in for a game-winning touchdown against Nebraska in the final minute of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Purdue defeated Nebraska 31-27. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) carries the ball against Nebraska defensive lineman Ben Stille (95) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

FILE - Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) makes a catch over Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) on his way to an 89-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., in this Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, file photo. With his knack for making the difficult catches as well as the easy ones, Bell is among the most dependable receivers in the country. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) looks to elude Penn State cornerback Trent Gordon (19) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Penn State defeated Purdue 35-7. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) is tackled by Maryland linebacker Isaiah Davis (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. Purdue defeated Maryland 40-14. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) runs up field after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Purdue wide receiver David Bell runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) runs a drill during Purdue's football pro day in West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, March 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Berry made it clear that he envisioned Bell as a player who can handle most snaps from the slot, where a big body, reliable hands and crisp route running is needed most. Bell fits the profile at 6-foot, 212-pounds and garnered plenty of experience at the position with the Boilermakers. He's capable of playing outside, too, although the Browns already have at least one player capable of filling that role with Amari Cooper.
Bell said he's studied Cooper since he was a college player in Alabama, and the two share similar traits as big receivers who have built their success on catching the football, avoiding drops and outmuscling defenders when the ball is in the air.
Cooper could be a great mentor for Bell, and it's possible that Bell is penciled in the spot behind Cooper on the depth chart if he performs well in training camp.
"(Cooper) had success in college," Bell said. "He had success when he was in Oakland and also in Dallas. I imagine he's going to have success now. I'm just trying to see what he's done to be successful up to this point so I can implement it into my game."
Bell was a First Team All-American last season at Purdue and topped 1,000 receiving yards twice in three seasons. The only year where he didn't eclipse that mark was the pandemic-shortened season in 2020. He constantly battled against the top competition in the Big Ten — including Northwestern product and Browns teammate CB Greg Newsome II — and might not need nearly as much time to acclimate to the tougher talent level in the NFL as most third-round picks.
The biggest reason, perhaps, why Bell was available that late in the draft was because of measurables at the Combine. He ran a below-average 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash, but Berry said the Browns didn't alter their evaluation on Bell because of it. A fast 40-yard time does not always define the talent of a receiver, and the Browns believe the production and quality tape Bell displayed from Purdue overrides any measurement shortfalls.
"Going in as we looked at David's profile, our expectation was not that he was going to come into the spring and run a 4.3," Berry said. "That is not why we drafted him. You have to go in knowing here are his areas of strengths and his skillset, and then the question becomes given what he does well and as you talk through it with your coaching staff, can we utilize those strengths where he can have an effective role?"
The Browns believe the answer will be "yes," and they believe it will show sooner rather than later.
"I think good receivers come in different shapes and sizes," Berry said, "and although David may not be the fastest player in the NFL, I think he has a number of compensating factors that will allow him to produce."