One of the more puzzling picks of the Chicago Bears’ 2023 draft class came in the 7th round when they took Travis Bell. Not only was he from a small program at Kennesaw State, but he was also the third defensive tackle the team had selected in two days. GM Ryan Poles had already added Gervon Dexter in the 2nd round and Zacch Pickens in the 3rd. While nobody disputes the need for depth at any position, it seemed somewhat redundant at that point, considering other areas he could’ve addressed.
Poles took his opportunity to explain himself during an interview with Cynthia Frelund of NFL Network. For starters, he immediately fell in love with the person. Bell’s interview was one of the best the Bears GM has ever experienced. Make no mistake. One doesn’t spend a draft pick on somebody simply because they can talk. He has to have some ability on the field too. This is where Poles caught viewers by surprise when he offered a comparison for Bell in terms of athletic ability and what he shows on tape.
Travis Bell becoming Grady Jarrett would be amazing.
It sounds ludicrous when you first hear it. Jarrett is a two-time Pro Bowler for the Atlanta Falcons. He’s one of the best interior pass rushers of his generation. However, when you dig deeper into the numbers, what Poles says becomes true.
Jarrett:
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- 6’1
- 304 lbs
- 40-yard dash – 5.06
- Vertical jump – 31
- Broad jump – 9’4
Bell:
- 6’1
- 305 lbs
- 40-yard dash – 5.03
- Vertical jump – 32.5
- Broad jump – 9’2
For those about to say Jarrett was more productive in college, don’t. You’d be wrong. He only had 5.5 sacks in four years at Clemson. It wasn’t until he got to the NFL that he blossomed into a QB hunter. With his athletic potential and aggressive mentality, Poles clearly thinks Travis Bell can become something similar. He’s in the perfect defensive system under Matt Eberflus to make that happen. If Poles is correct, this will be one of the biggest steals in recent Bears history.
