The Browns on Friday selected WR David Bell with the 99th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Bell, an Indianapolis native, was a First Team All-American in 2021 with Purdue after he totaled 93 receptions for 1,286 yards and six touchdowns. He caught 21 total touchdowns across three seasons with the Boilermakers and was also a First Team All-Big Ten selection in 2020, when he caught 625 yards and eight touchdowns in six games in a pandemic-shortened season.
"It probably starts really with just his hands," Browns EVP of Football Operations and GM Andrew 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. We think he is a guy who can really play both outside and inside, but we think that he can really make a living with his size, his savvy and his hands in the slot, but we are excited to get to work with him.
"At the receiver position, there are a number of different styles that produce. Look, everybody loves speed across the field, but there are also fast guys that really don't have the route running ability to actually separate; they can run really fast, but everyone is pretty fast in the NFL. There are also receivers that are bigger body types that have the ability to separate laterally or have the savviness to win at the top of the routes. I think good receivers come in different shapes and sizes, 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."
The Browns currently have no more picks left on Day 2 but are set to have six picks entering Day 3. They hold three picks in the fourth round (Nos. 108, 118 and 124) and picks in the sixth round (202nd overall) and seventh round (223rd and 246th overall).
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)
