Vikings Quietly Add Intriguing New Weapon

A few Minnesota Vikings fans enjoy the undrafted free agent process about as much as the draft, and once again, the purple team added a bevy of UDFAs this cycle. One such offensive weapon is Dillon Bell of the University of Georgia.

Minnesota still needs receiving depth, but Bell brings enough versatility to make the summer interesting.

Like all UDFAs, there’s no sure thing that Bell will pan out, but he does have the versatility to flirt with a roster spot in September.

A New Summer Lottery Ticket Joins the WR Room

Get to know Bell, the newest Vikings wideout.

Vikings Add Bell

Minnesota added 19 undrafted free agents on Saturday evening, and because folks just love wide receivers, Bell turned heads.

The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis wrote, “You can see what the Vikings were going for here. Bell is a big-bodied offensive weapon who doesn’t just look like a running back. The 6-foot, 210-pounder averaged 7.3 yards per carry as a runner at Georgia.”

“The route running is the primary hurdle, but that’s precisely why the Vikings would make this type of bet. How Minnesota uses the spring and summer to find the right role for him will be telling. His frame and traits are enticing.”

If Bell makes the active roster or practice squad, it won’t be because of his prowess as a route-running wide receiver. It will be because of his gadget tendencies.

The Scouting Report

Bell is 6’1 and 210 pounds with 4.50 speed. So, decent metrics for both. He’ll be best served as a Swiss Army knife commodity if he makes the Vikings’ regular season roster or latches on elsewhere.

Pro Football Focus‘s Trevor Sikkema on Bell:

Bell is a former four-star receiver with a background in both track (100 and 200 meters) and basketball. In high school, he played both running back and wide receiver, and during his first two seasons at Georgia, he saw some usage at both positions, though primarily at receiver. He went on to become a consistent starter for four seasons. Despite that role, his production remained limited, with a low career yards-per-route-run average.

He is a decent linear athlete, but his lack of change-of-direction ability shows up in lower separation metrics and receiving grades against man coverage. Bell has good size and extensive experience as a blocker, though his technique can be inconsistent. He also does not consistently catch the ball cleanly, with occasional body catches and bobbles. Started his Georgia career with some reps at running back. Solid overall size allows him to be a more consistent blocker. Arm length appears to be a plus.

The easiest way to think of it? If Minnesota wants a Deebo Samuel-style weapon — very diet Samuel, of course — Bell would be the guy.

University of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on Bell: “He’s a positionless player. He can play tight end. He can play Wildcat quarterback. He can play tailback. He’s certainly a good receiver. He’s a great returner. That’s what people are moving to in the NFL, guys that can go out there and create matchups.”

“He does that. He can be in the backfield and create some problems for the defense. But more important than that, he’s a great person. He led by example here. He never complained once about snaps and touches and that says a lot about what he brought into the team.”

The Current WR Group

Overall, the Vikings’ WR room is in great shape. Anytime an offense has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison headlining the enterprise, there just can’t be too much reason for concern.

After Jefferson and Addison, though, the unit lacks dependability. Here’s the WR depth chart in late April:

If Felton isn’t ready to roll as the uncontested WR3 this summer — the Vikings hardly played him on offense as a rookie — and Price hasn’t shapeshifted into more than a special teamer, Minnesota could pursue a free agent like the aforementioned Samuel, Stefon Diggs, Jauan Jennings, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyreek Hill, or Keenan Allen.

Not Much Depth after Jefferson + Addison Creates a Vacuum

The reason to track Bell throughout the summer is evident. Suppose the Vikings don’t spend the cash on a Jennings or Diggs, a couple of free agents listed above. Jefferson, Addison, Felton, and Price will make the 53-man roster, but Minnesota would need an extra WR4-WR5.

Because Bell is a willing blocker, offers special teams versatility, and has the size + speed for the NFL, he could be a dark horse to monitor at training camp and in the preseason.

Otherwise, there’s always the practice squad.