Dallas Cowboys Draft: Top-10 safeties and their potential fit
Mike Bell, Fresno State
What’s Good: Coverage Skills, Athleticism, Instincts
What ain’t Good: Tackling, Playing within the Box
Mike Bell is one of the bigger guys in this draft at 6’3″ and 200 lbs. Being so tall, he’s surprisingly fluid in his hips and he moves quickly enough to cover receivers when they are breaking and changing direction. His athleticism and instincts allow him to make more plays than he probably would.
He’s really good in coverage. At his best, he can read what the receiver is running and instantly react and he knows where the QB is looking and is there to make a play in man and zone respectively. Even when run stopping, he will wait for the hole to open up and trip the running back. Notice how I said trip.
That’s because he lacks serious fundamentals in the tackling department. He’s the truest “ankle tackler” I’ve scouted thus far. Against bigger or more elusive runners, you can bet they will break his tackles or simply dodge him. He dives and doesn’t rap up thus allowing runners to break free from his tackle.
In addition, for someone with his coverage instincts he is below average at rushing the passer and run stopping. When he stops someone at the line, it’s because he read the play and got lucky on his tackle. Otherwise, you’ll see him on the ground or with a blocker “holding” him. Bell just isn’t meant to play in the box, but that’s okay because he makes it up with his coverage prowess.
Could he be a Cowboy?:
No. I view Bell as one of the better safeties in this draft so it is odd I don’t think he could end up with the Cowboys. But, I see a team selecting him within the second or third round and with his tackling being less than desirable, I don’t think the Cowboys would pull the trigger with their first pick knowing he’s not as complete of a prospect.
The opportunity cost of signing Earl Thomas or Landon Collins would be significantly better than having to develop Bell as a more complete safety especially with this team looking for an upgrade and an instant contribution.