In the 2023 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected wide receiver, Ronnie Bell. The young receiver of course started low on the depth char as a rookie on a stacked offense, but he is turning out to be another steal. The team selected him in the seventh round, with the 253rd overall pick. Here’s a look back at Ronnie Bell’s time with the Michigan Wolverines, and how he has been this season with the 49ers already.
Ronnie Bell in Michigan
Bell played for the Michigan Wolverines from 2018 until 2022. In 2022, he played in all 14 games for the Wolverines with 889 receiving yards, according to Sports Reference. He also scored four touchdowns off of receptions, and one rushing touchdown. In his five years, he ended up with 2,269 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Bell played in just seven total games. This definitely was a setback for him with Michigan. Even with the limited play, he still had a strong 2022 season, but he was not the top guy there. This led to him falling in the NFL draft. While Bell may have fallen, he landed in a great spot, which could end up working out really well for him.
49ers WRs Deebo Samuel (19) and Ronnie Bell (10) – AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn
Ronnie Bell through 6 Weeks
Bell is not going to be the top guy on an offense with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as the two wide receivers. The team also has Jauan Jennings, who is a clutch player when the team just needs a couple of yards. Bell has still been used and has made an impact. In week three of the season when the 49ers faced the New York Giants, Aiyuk was out with a shoulder injury. This gave Bell an opportunity to be on the field more and it paid off.
In week three, Bell had just two receptions, but for 24 yards and one touchdown, according to ESPN. This touchdown was Bell’s first of his NFL career. It was also the first touchdown of the game, where the offense was struggling to get a rhythm at first. Bell set the momentum for the remainder of the game. Bell was not targeted in the first two games this season, but now in six games, he has been targeted four times. According to Pro Football Reference, he has had three receptions for 21 yards and one touchdown. Two of those receptions were for a first down.
49ers WR Ronnie Bell (10) – AP Photo/John Locher
The Future of Ronnie Bell with the 49ers
It is going to be difficult for Bell to be a big player this season. Between Aiyuk, Deebo, and Jennings, Bell is already down there on the depth chart. Ray-Ray McCloud is the return man for the team, but Bell is listed on the depth chart there as well, especially with the injury to Danny Gray. The 49ers’ offense is stacked, but he is getting an opportunity to play and develop with some top players, which also includes Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. As he continues to make the gameday roster, Bell will continue to improve over time.
In a further look, next offseason, Jennings will be a restricted free agent, and McCloud will be an unrestricted free agent. If the team trusts Bell, they may make some business decisions that move him up on the depth chart. This is something fans do not need to think about yet, but Bell, despite being a seventh-round pick, could become a player that 49ers fans will get used to seeing.
49ers WR Ronnie Bell (10) – Michael Owens/Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers are no strangers to drafting well in the later rounds. Of course, right now their most notable pick in the seventh round is Brock Purdy, but fans should not forget about just some of the other examples such as Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and George Kittle being selected in the fifth round. Bell may not be used often, but he is a solid player that the team can utilize when others need rest or are out with an injury.
