Cleveland Browns pick David Bell making draft even more baffling

The Cleveland Browns drafted David Bell in the third round of the NFL Draft.

The Cleveland Browns needed a wide receiver and selected Purdue wideout David Bell with the 99th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft in a move that will make a lot of people baffled and befuddled. The night started off with the Browns at No. 44, and they traded out of that pick in the second round with the Houston Texans and got another third-rounder (pick 68) and two fourth-rounders (picks 108 and 124) in return.

The Browns used their first third-round pick, the one from Houston, on Martin Emerson; a cornerback out of Mississippi State. They used their second pick on UAB defensive end Alex Wright. Now they use the last pick of their second-day selections on Bell.

Bell, for a receiver, is not a fast player and wasn’t highly touted. As the Browns have a desperate need to improve the receiving position, it was baffling that they waited this long to address the need. It’s even more baffling that they took someone so late in the day when the position is so weak as it is.

What was the point of trading down?

Andrew Berry has not earned the benefit of the doubt. All one has to do is look at Jedrick Wills and know that he passed up on Triston Wirfs to know that Berry isn’t automatic. The quality of players in the draft declines. While there are always gems later on statistics say you’re more likely to get a playmaker earlier in the draft.

So to pass on a receiver early, and get someone like Bell, who’s a third-round quality pick in name only, is baffling. There were better options there at pick 44.

Trading away from speedsters to get someone who’s barely under a 4.7 40-yarder is concerning and baffling. Yes, it was a position of need, but it was also thee position of need.

It should’ve been addressed as early as possible, not at end of the night when the best options were gone.