The Jets recently signed journeyman edge defender Quinton Bell to their practice squad. Today, we break him down in detail.
The 30-year old Bell is listed at 6’4” and 253 pounds and was a seventh round pick out of Prairie View A&M in 2019. He has played in 33 regular season games in his career, starting three, with 38 tackles and one sack recorded.
Background
Bell was an unranked prospect as a high school recruit, following a career where he played wide receiver and outside linebacker, while also being on the basketball team and running track.
He headed to Prairie View A&M as a wide receiver in 2015. In three seasons, he played in 25 games and caught 19 passes for 169 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown.
Ahead of his senior year, the coaching staff suggested that Bell should move to defensive end and he embraced the move as he earned second team all-SWAC honors.
In 10 games, he made nine starts and ended up with 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks with five of those sacks coming in the last four games.
After a terrific pro day workout, Bell started to receive some draft buzz and was eventually selected in the seventh round by the Raiders.
He failed to make the roster as a rookie, although he was initially signed to the practice squad. However, he ended up on Tampa Bay’s practice squad by the end of the year and then signed a futures deal with them.
In 2020, Bell made the Bucs roster and made the first five appearances of his career, although he didn’t register any stats and ended up back on their practice squad.
Having re-signed for the Bucs in 2021, he failed to make their roster and ended up on the Falcons’ practice squad, then signed a futures deal with them at the end of the season.
In 2022, Bell made the Falcons’ roster and played in four games with them, recording three tackles, including a tackle for loss. Again, he ended up on the practice squad and signed a futures deal for 2023.
He didn’t play in 2023 as he spent time with the Falcons, Eagles and Dolphins, eventually signing another futures deal, this time with Miami.
2024 was Bell’s best season as he made the Dolphins roster and played in every game. He made three starts and had 27 tackles and three tackles for loss with the first sack, forced fumble and pass breakup of his career.
Last season saw him back with Miami again, although he was on and off the practice squad all year. He ended up making seven appearances off the bench with eight tackles, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery.
Bell signed for the 49ers ahead of training camp but was released in final cuts and without a team until the Jets worked him out and signed him to the practice squad earlier this month.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Bell brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Bell has decent size and good length. His athletic numbers at his pro day were outstanding as he ran a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash with a 41-inch vertical and 136-inch broad jump. He also posted a 7.25 in the three cone drill.
He managed 23 bench press reps at his pro day and looks to have improved his play strength at the NFL level.
Usage
Since converting from wide receiver, Bell has played purely on the edge, with any reps in the slot, off the line or on the interior being rare. He has experience of standing up or having his hands in the dirt.
Motor
Bell is a player who battles and works hard in the trenches and shows hustle in pursuit.
It’s fair to question whether he’s equipped to handle a starter’s workload because he’s never played more than 32 defensive snaps in an NFL game. He did once play 47 in a preseason game but that was when he was a rookie.
Pass rush
Bell’s strong finish to his college career helped him get drafted based on projection but he’s never really been able to prove he can be productive at the NFL level as a pass rusher.
His pressure rates have been low at the NFL level, although he did have one sack. In preseason action, he’s played a lot but again had a low pressure rate with no sacks.
Nevertheless, Bell has an impressive get-off and the burst to chase down quarterbacks in pursuit.
His only sack at the NFL level was an impressive rep against a long-time starter in Alaric Jackson.
Run defense
Bell’s run defense grades have typically been about average on analysis sites such as Pro Football Focus, and are no better in preseason where he’s seen more work.
However, he has made some good plays at or behind the line when he’s had opportunities, impressing specifically with his ability to pursue from the backside.
The book on Bell when he entered the league was that he would need to improve his play strength to set the edge but it’s become a major strength of his, and was arguably his main role with Miami.
Technique
Bell didn’t come into the league with an arsenal of pass rush moves, or any kind of ability to transition smoothly into a counter, but on his lone NFL sack he came off the edge well and ripped through for the strip sack. He just hasn’t done this enough.
On this play, the linebacker got credit for the sack, but Bell still beat his man impressively with a hesitation and an effective rip move.
His hand placement and technique was also extremely raw when he first entered the league but he’s shown an improvement in how he takes on blocks and has shown he can shed them at times.
Special teams
Bell wasn’t used much on special teams in college but has plenty of experience within that role at the NFL level, having played on all units apart from the placekicking unit.
He has had six special teams tackles with one penalty (for defensive holding on a punt) in regular season action and another five with one more penalty in preseason action.
In one preseason game, he set up a touchdown with this blocked punt.
Tackling
Bell’s tackle efficiency numbers have typically been good, as he seems to wrap up consistently with a good closing burst where necessary.
However, he failed to complete the sack on this play, leading to a first down scramble.
He only has one forced fumble in his entire career, including college and preseason games.
Coverage
Bell’s experience as a receiver could give him an edge in coverage situations if he needs to make a play on the ball but it’s been rare for him to drop into coverage too often at the NFL level and when he does it will usually be into zone coverage.
Still, he has shown some flashes of ability in making tackles on short passes and with this pass breakup on Brock Bowers.
Instincts/Intelligence
Being relatively new to the position, Bell may have taken some time to learn all the nuances of an NFL scheme but his film doesn’t show any glaring issues with missed assignments, even if he is reacting more than anticipating.
As a pass rusher, his approach has always been pretty raw and mechanical and he hasn’t developed into a player who can set up and execute a counter.
Attitude/Demeanor
Bell’s uncle played for three years in the NFL, so he has a good idea of what it takes and has impressed with his hard work and dedication in terms of not only making it into the league, but also still being here now that he’s in his thirties.
He has a team-first mindset, earning plaudits for his work on the scout team in Maxx Crosby’s role a few years back while the Dolphins were preparing to face the Raiders.
His on-field discipline has been solid with just two defensive penalties at the NFL level. He jumped offside once and was flagged for a face mask penalty.
Injuries
Bell doesn’t have any significant documented injuries during his professional or college career.
Scheme Fit
Bell would be a solid fit for the Jets’ edge rotation, and his ability to set the edge could make him a useful replacement following Braiden McGregor’s season-ending injury.
Nate Lynn was added to the roster and in the rotation for the Patriots game with Joseph Ossai hurt, so Bell could feasibly see some playing time if there are more injury issues or if he can outshine Lynn in practice.
Otherwise, his athleticism will make him a useful scout team asset and his special teams experience should make him a good option to elevate if they do need extra depth on the edge.
Conclusions
Bell entered the league with a lot of upside but hasn’t really realized that potential. Nevertheless, he’s shown he can be someone you can add as a functional short-term rotational option, and he could be a role player on running downs with the Jets like he was in Miami.
The Jets also have Paschal Ekeji and Nathan Voorhis on the practice squad, but they are both raw and inexperienced so Bell may be the next man up if the Jets need another body on the edge. Expectations will probably be low in terms of him making a major impact though.