Tag: Greg Bell

Predicting the UDFA most likely to make the Lions 53-man roster

Predicting the UDFA most likely to make the Lions 53-man roster of the initial group signed after the 2022 NFL draft

In 2021, the Detroit Lions struck paydirt with a handful of undrafted free agent rookies. Given opportunities on a low-end roster, several UDFAs made major contributions and proved they are part of the long-term rebuild, notably CB Jerry Jacobs and OG Tommy Kraemer. Jacobs proved to be one of the top rookie CBs in the NFL, outperforming many players drafted in the first two days.

Who is this year’s UDFA most likely to impact the Lions roster in 2022 and beyond?

Detroit’s options in 2022 are far more limited. After the 8-man draft class, the Lions technically only had four remaining roster spots available to sign undrafted rookies. There is some clutter on the roster of holdovers that will get whittled down soon, but for now, there are four candidates.

All four received at least $100,000 to join the Lions:

  • San Diego State RB Greg Bell
  • San Jose State TE Derrick Deese Jr.
  • TCU OT Obinna Eze
  • Michigan State OL Kevin Jarvis

Of that group, Eze has the clearest path to making the team. The 6-6, 321-pound Eze has freakish length as a pass protector on the edge. His arms are over 36 inches long and he has a good understanding of how to use his length to force pass rushers traipse a very wide circle to get around him to the outside.

That’s the precise type the Lions have looked for as a reserve offensive tackle. Eze is competing for a spot with Matt Nelson and Dan Skipper. Nelson is 6-7, Skipper is almost 6-10. Like Eze, both are limited movers who win with length and a powerful initial punch but struggle facing quickness and inside moves.

The Lions coaches still seem enamored with Nelson’s development as he continues to transition from college DE to NFL offensive tackle. But Skipper is definitely vulnerable. Now entering his sixth NFL season, Skipper has played in 10 games in his career across six teams. It’s now his third stint with the Lions. In short, the upside appears nil.

Eze should be able to beat out Skipper. The Lions likely had that in mind when inking the Horned Frogs alum to a contract with more guaranteed money than they gave free agent safety DeShon Elliott–who could start for the team.

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Lions gave big bonuses to a few UDFA signings

Detroit filled the 4 vacant roster spots with UDFA signings with guaranteed monies

The aftermath of the 2022 NFL draft is finally settling down, and one of the developments many might have missed in the onslaught of information over draft weekend is the undrafted free agent signings. The Lions targeted a few UDFAs with some significant bonuses to sign with the team.

Four players received bonuses of at least $100,000 to join the Lions. Those are significant numbers because the Lions had just four open spots on the 90-man roster after the draft.

The biggest bonus goes to offensive tackle Obinna Eze. The TCU tackle got a $20,000 signing bonus and a base salary guarantee of $150,00, per Doug Kyed of PFF.

To put that in perspective, the Lions have more guaranteed money invested in Eze than they do in free agent LB Jarrad Davis.

The other three who got big bonuses:

San Diego State RB Greg Bell – $100,000 total; $85,000 in guaranteed salary and a $15,000 signing bonus.

San Jose State TE Derrick Deese Jr. – $100,000 including a $5,000 signing bonus.

Michigan State OL Kevin Jarvis – $155,000 total; $140,000 in guaranteed salary and a $15,000 signing bonus.

Using that kind of financial commitment is a pretty strong message that those four vacant spots are all but secured entering the rookie minicamp. Everyone else invited to the camp is starting out behind this quarter, barring some trimming of the current roster.

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2022 NFL Draft Profile: San Diego State RB Greg Bell

The hard-charging Aztecs running back looks to take his skills to the NFL. How does he measure up within this year’s class at the position?

2022 NFL Draft Profile: San Diego State RB Greg Bell

The hard-charging Aztecs running back takes his skills to the NFL. How does he measure up in this year’s class at the position?

Contact/Follow @tedmcgovern & @MWCwire

Good luck if you get in Greg Bell’s way.

Greg Bell is a graduate transfer from San Diego State who played 25 career D1 games. He was a three-star junior college running back prospect, #26 nationally in 2018, according to 247Sports. He first played two years at Arizona Western Community College, where he ran for 2,404 yards and 18 TDs, before entering the FBS level at Nebraska.

In 2018, he only played four games for the Cornhuskers, running for a total of 173 yards before transferring to San Diego State. Bell sat out during 2019 in accordance with transfer rules.

He made an immediate impact in 2020 with a second-team all-Mountain West nomination and six touchdowns, in a campaign interrupted by injuries and shortened by COVID-19. Bell saw his path to the NFL Combine delayed by a serious eye injury that he has since overcome to restore 20-20 vision.

The following year, he played a full and recorded 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns on 250 carries. However, Bell also managed six fumbles.

Greg Bell is a true borderline roster prospect for an NFL team. He’ll need to continue improving on his all-around game, particularly as a pass catcher, to get playing time opportunities.

However, he’s also resilient and a dedicated worker and carries a strong mentality with him in San Diego State’s outside zone attack. Bell runs with good field vision, power and courageous determination.

Measurables

Height – 5′ 11 3/8″
Weight – 201 pounds
40-yard time – 4.61 seconds
10-yard split time – 1.59 seconds
Arm length – 31″
Hand size – 9 3/8″
Wingspan – 74″
Vertical jump – 31″
Broad jump – 10′ (120″)
Shuttle time – 4.32 seconds
3-cone drill time – 7.17 seconds
Bench press – 17 reps

Highlights

Strengths

  • Bell was highly productive during 2021 after overcoming injuries.
  • Bell reads and processes defensive fronts quickly.
  • Bell has adequate decisiveness and pace to the corner.
  • Bell has foot quickness to press the line and cut back sharply.
  • Bell has enough burst and speed to beat linebackers to the edge, showing better straight-line speed than expected.
  • Bell has quick feet with good vision to pick through defenses. He has sure hands and excellent body control.
  • He’s a reliable receiver.

Weaknesses

  • Bell needs more size and bulk to be a true power back.
  • Ball security left something to be desired in 2021.
  • Bell exhibits just below average power to break tackles and to move piles.
  • Bell frequently tries for the big play, losing yards occasionally.
  • Bell is not highly explosive.

NFL Comparison

Mark Ingram

Draft Prediction

Greg Bell will likely end up as a Top Priority Undrafted Free Agent. 

He’ll get his crack at the NFL.

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Projecting where seven former Big Ten running backs might go in the 2022 NFL draft

We take a deep dive into Big Ten running backs that could get selected in the upcoming NFL draft. #GoBucks #BigTen #NFLDraft

Welcome to April. It’s officially NFL draft month and with every passing day, we get closer and closer to seeing some former college football stars get paid and possibly become stars. I wanted to take a deep dive into the majority of the familiar names from the Big Ten in the upcoming draft class.

Today I wanted to take a look at the former Big Ten running backs that could hear their names called during the 2022 NFL draft and try and project which round they may get taken in. This year there are a few former Big Ten running backs in the class that have the skill and goods to make it at the next level.

So, let’s get to all the fun.