George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys
Getty
George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys raised some eyebrows last month when it was reported that they would be holding a Top 30 visit with Indiana star wide receiver Omar Cooper. Not only is Cooper an offensive player, and to this point the only offensive player with whom the Cowboys have had a reported Top 30 visit, but he is a receiver. That’s a position of significant strength for the Cowboys, with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and breakout No. 3 receiver Ryan Flournoy on hand.
The Cooper visit may have signaled some interest from the Cowboys with their No. 20 pick–he is a fringe first-rounder–or it may have just been an up-close-and-personal scouting trip. The Cowboys, according to Fort Worth Star-Telegram beat writer Nick Harris, like to visit with players they project to land with division rivals, and Cooper could easily wind up with the Giants or the Eagles.
Now, though, the Cowboys are taking a visit with another wide receiver with first/second round potential: Chris Bell of Louisville.
Cowboys Eyeing Receiver Chris Bell in NFL Draft
The Cowboys are part of a line of teams looking at Bell, according to insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, who points out that Bell had ACL surgery in December. Writes Rapoport: “#Louisville WR Chris Bell is at the#Jets on a Top 30 visit today, then he has#Colts and Combine Rechecks later in the week. Bell had surgery for a torn ACL in December, and countless teams have had him in to check on his progress. He has#Raiders and#Cowboys after Indy.”
Bell is not a first-rounder, but he likely is a solid Day 2 pick. Pro Football Focus rates him a the No. 44 overall prospect in the draft, and The Athletic projects him in the third round, No. 77 overall. The NFL.com five-round mock draft, though, has him going early in the fourth round.
Chris Bell of the Louisville Cardinals
GettyChris Bell of the Louisville Cardinals
Chris Bell Would Complement CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens
Bell would be an interesting fit with the Cowboys, a 6-foot-2, 222-pound possession receiver who is not afraid to go over the middle.
Here’s what PFF wrote about him on their scouting report: “Bell offers an impressive blend of size — particularly weight — and explosiveness as a WR2 in a vertical offense. Some tightness in his lateral movements limits his ability to win with nuanced route-running, but when kept on vertical or horizontal routes, he can generate separation on deep routes and create yards after the catch on shorter touches.”
Would Cowboys Trade George Pickens?
Of course, actually making the plunge and picking Bell would be a surprise for the Cowboys, given the strength of the WR room on this roster. But it could also signal that something is afoot with Pickens, who entered the offseason looking at free agency before he was hit with the franchise tag before the league year ended.
That means Pickens has a one-year, $27 million deal in place, though he can negotiate for a long-term deal from the Cowboys. Pickens is expected to hold out unless he can land a big, long-term deal, and the sides have until July 15 to work that out.
If they can’t, there may be a temptation from the Cowboys to trade Pickens–which is why the drafting of a player like Bell or Cooper would be of interest.