2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Jaheim Bell, TE Florida State
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Jaheim Bell, a tight end from Valdosta, Georgia. At Valdosta High School, Bell played TE and WR, recording more than 1000 total yards before tearing his ACL in his senior season. Originally committing to the University of Florida, Bell opted out and instead began his collegiate career in South Carolina.
At the University of South Carolina, Bell appeared in just 5 games during his freshman year before breaking out as a sophomore. Though not a true breakout, Bell finished the year with 500 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns on just 30 targets. As a junior, Bell was used sparingly as a receiver, but the Gamecocks utilized his girth in a different way: as a running back. He filled in for an injured Marshawn Lloyd for the final month of the 2022 season, finishing the season with 73 carries and 3 rushing touchdowns to go along with modest receiving production.
Bell transferred to Florida State for the 2023 season. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as he planned. Though he posted career highs in receptions and yardage, he was the 3rd receiving option on the team behind teammates Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson.
Measurables
Height: 6’1″ (3rd-percentile)
Weight: 244 lbs (22nd-percentile)
Age: 22.8
Class: Junior
NCAA Statistics
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2020 | South Carolina | SEC | FR | TE | 5 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 0 | |
| *2021 | South Carolina | SEC | SO | TE | 13 | 30 | 497 | 16.6 | 5 | 7 | 40 | 5.7 | 0 | 37 | 537 | 14.5 | 5 |
| *2022 | South Carolina | SEC | JR | 12 | 25 | 231 | 9.2 | 2 | 73 | 261 | 3.6 | 3 | 98 | 492 | 5.0 | 5 | |
| *2023 | Florida State | ACC | JR | TE | 13 | 39 | 503 | 12.9 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 43 | 505 | 11.7 | 3 |
| Career | Overall | 95 | 1260 | 13.3 | 9 | 84 | 303 | 3.6 | 4 | 179 | 1563 | 8.7 | 13 | ||||
| South Carolina | 56 | 757 | 13.5 | 7 | 80 | 301 | 3.8 | 3 | 136 | 1058 | 7.8 | 10 | |||||
| Florida State | 39 | 503 | 12.9 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 43 | 505 | 11.7 | 3 | |||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- He is good with the ball in his hands, in the screen game, or as a runner.
- Good acceleration and quickness.
- Solid contested catch ability.
- Fluid in his body control and route running.
- Adjusts well to the ball in the air.
- Has the speed to burn LBs and safeties deep.
Weaknesses
- In-line blocking will be an issue given his size.
- Will struggle to fit into a typical mold, so will need a team to set him up for success.
- Not quick enough in his breaks to create separation.
- Used often in the backfield and was a poor lead blocker.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Late Round 5/Early Round 6
Ideal Landing Spot: Philadelphia Eagles
Bell doesn’t fit into a traditional scheme. Instead, he’s likeliest to be seen as a chess piece at the next level who can be used in certain situations to gain an advantage. That’s exactly what the Eagles could use to make their offense even more dynamic, both in the backfield and in the red zone.
We know Jalen Hurts often takes over at the goal line. But, if the “tush push” is banned by the NFL, Hurts will be slightly less effective in close. The TE red zone role is already accounted for with a healthy Dallas Goedert. However, Bell could be placed in the backfield to take advantage of his multi-layered skill set as a runner and receiver. Even if he’s only available in certain sub-packages to start, his versatility will make the defense think more than they want to in crucial situations.
For Bell, it’s unlikely he will see a regular role in an offense out of the gate. But, given the chance to get experience while developing his abilities at the next level is the ideal chance for him to succeed. On a team like Philadelphia, with limited playmakers in the backfield and elite, established outside receiving threats, Bell could dominate over the short middle, be used in the screen game, and open up the playbook for a team looking to make another Super Bowl run.
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe video breakdown of Jaheim Bell below.
