Patriots close out draft with seventh-round TE Jaheim Bell
Aside from the late-round lottery ticket that may be QB Joe Milton, de facto New England GM Eliot Wolf spent the bulk of draft weekend addressing clear team needs. That continued with the final selection of the third day of the draft, Florida State tight end Jaheim Bell in the seventh round at No. 231 overall.
Bell is a 6-2, 241-pound prospect who spent three seasons at South Carolina before closing his collegiate career with a 39-catch, 503-yard season with the Seminoles. That came after consecutive 25-plus catch seasons with the Gamecocks in 2021 and 2022.
Bell ran a 4.61 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine and while the bulk of his catches came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, he does have some run-after-catch ability to his game. He’s also considered a willing and capable blocker, with about half his action last season at FSU in the slot and half in-line.
Bell adds to a New England tight end depth chart led by returning veteran captain Hunter Henry and free agent newcomer Austin Hooper.
Former Bengals veteran Mitchell Wilcox also recently joined the mix.
Though he lasted to the final round, The Athletic projected Bell as a possible fifth- or sixth-round pick. Certainly he arrives in New England as a developmental option, but he does bring some youthful upside to a spot that has lacked that in Foxborough for a number of years.
Overall, Bell brings decent production, physical tools and versatility to the competition for a roster spot in New England.
