Las Vegas Raiders: Grading Year 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft class
By Nico Di Fede
Quinton Bell – DE
Quinton Bell was the definition of a low-risk, potentially high reward developmental pick. Bell played receiver his first three years at Praire View A&M University, but did not start, and didn’t have much production.
In 2018, he switched to defensive end, and put up some impressive stats for somebody who converted to the position that year. Bell recorded 46 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and 7.0 sacks.
Bell ran a lightning-fast 40 yard-dash at his pro-day, whether you believe the reports that it was a 4.38 or a 4.48. This athleticism is clearly why Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock pulled the trigger. Bell would likely be a priority UDFA target for many teams because of the athletic ceiling he possessed.
Things didn’t work out with Bell for the Raiders, as he was waived, re-signed to the practice squad but waived again in October of the 2019 season.
He was signed a month later to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and has stayed there since, appearing in five games in 2020 exclusively on special teams.
While Bell didn’t last a year with the Raiders I still wouldn’t consider it a bad-pick in hindsight. Most seventh rounders are cut and out of the league within a year, and Bell was clearly a long-term project who still has a chance to develop into something. Low-risk high reward athletic freaks are the exact type of player you want in the 7th round.
2020 Performance Grade: N/A
Pick: C
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