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Nebraska Wideout Kenny Bell Visiting Colts This Week

By Luke Schultheis

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According to Fox Sports NFL Editor Ross Jones, University of Nebraska wideout Kenny Bell will be visiting the Indianapolis Colts some time this week:

The 6’1, 197 pound Bell is both Nebraska’s career receptions holder (181) and receiving yards holder (2,689) and was a 2014 First-Team All-Big Ten selection. Bell finished last season with 47 receptions for 788 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 13 games played for the Cornhuskers.

Jan 1, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Kenny Bell (80) celebrates after a big play during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Field . Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Bell really impressed at the NFL Combine as he not only ran a 4.42 forty time, but he also was the combine’s top performer among wideouts in vertical jump (41.5 inches), broad jump (129.0 inches), and 3-cone drill (6.66 sec). At his Pro Day, he ran even faster with a recorded 4.37 forty time. He posted exceptional physical measurables across the board to say the least.

While the Colts aren’t in desperate need of a wideout anymore with the additions of veteran Andre Johnson and young CFL standout Duron Carter (and both T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief returning), the team could be looking ahead to when the 33-year old Andre Johnson decides to hang them up in 2-3 seasons.

Bell projects to be anywhere from a Round 3-5 pick at this juncture, and the Colts could simply look to draft an elite athlete at wideout in the mid-rounds. This would be similar to what the team did by selecting Donte Moncrief last season in the 3rd round of last year’s draft, who was a “workout warrior” at the NFL Combine in his own right.

What also helps Bell’s cause, particularly at least as it relates to the Colts, is that he also is a standout returning kicks. The Colts special teams unit struggled finding a consistent special teams returnman last season, and it’s uncertain whether the team’s incumbent returnman Josh Cribbs will retain his roster spot come next season as competition may be brought in to challenge for the job. That competition could turn out to be a wideout like Bell, who averaged 23.9 yards per kick return last season on 8 returns and was named Preseason All-Big Ten as a kick returner.

Described as a “smart and well-coached player” in addition to being highly productive, Bell could look to make his mark on special teams initially before eventually developing into the #2 or #3 wideout on the Colts behind T.Y. Hilton in time. He has the fast forty-time that Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson really covets in his prospective wideouts:

"“The other I would say is the 40 time, not that it is or isn’t the reason to draft a guy, but at the end of the day it helps you assign proper market value to the player,” Grigson said. “Especially at those skill positions.”“…For instance, there may be a WR everyone loved that you think runs 4.5 but runs 4.75 at Indy and you’re just not going to draft that guy realistically so you move him down or to your college free agent board,” added Grigson. “There’s always exceptions to the rule like Anquan Boldin but they are few and far between.”"

We’ll have to see if the Colts will be “Ringing Bell” come early May, as the NFL Draft quickly approaches. With his highly productive collegiate career at Nebraska and impressive physical measurables, he certainly is an intriguing wideout prospect for the Colts, even if the wide receiver position is no longer as significant of a team need.

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