Packers: What to expect from Byron Bell in 2018
What role can the Green Bay Packers’ new signing Byron Bell expect to have in 2018?
Rookie general manager Brian Gutekunst continues to make moves that separate him from his predecessor, Ted Thompson.
Gutekunst has brought in another free-agent addition for his 2018 roster.
The team has signed seven-year pro offensive lineman Byron Bell.
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The 29-year-old joins a diverse group of offensive line talent. Ages and skill levels vary among this group.
Bell brings with him an incredibly diverse skill set and level of experience. With that being said, he should fit right into the group.
Playing history
Bell was an undrafted free agent from the 2011 draft out of New Mexico. He signed with the Carolina Panthers and immediately worked his way to a starting role at their right tackle position, starting 13 out of 16 games in his rookie season. In 2014, the team moved Bell to left tackle, where he started all 16 games.
In 2015, Bell left the Panthers via free agency and signed with the Tennessee Titans. Bell started all 16 games for the Titans in 2015, but did so at multiple positions along the offensive line. He started seven games at left guard, eight at right tackle, and one at left tackle. In 2016, Bell dislocated his ankle and missed the entire season.
Bell once again tested the free agency market in 2017 and signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He primarily served in a backup role, playing in six games after LT Tyron Smith went down with a back injury in Week 10.
The main takeaways from Bell’s career thus far arrives within two points. First, as I mentioned above, Bell is incredibly versatile. He has the ability and experience to play at multiple positions along the offensive line. Second, he has proven to be very durable over the course of his career. When searching for offensive line depth, durability and versatility are key.
Team fit/role
An ideal fit for Bell on the Packers roster is going to be as a veteran backup. Too many times offensive lines are plagued with injuries and the team’s season is derailed. However, with experienced talent behind the starters, some of these issues can begin to be mitigated.
While a backup role might be the most likely one for Bell, he could very well compete for a starting spot as well. The starting right guard position is still relatively up for grabs on this team.
It is believed that, although there is really nothing to say this is true, third-year pro Justin McCray is the front-runner at the position.
Bell joins other players such as 2018 fifth-round selection Cole Madison, third-year pros Kyle Murphy and Jason Spriggs, and second-year pros Adam Pankey and Lucas Patrick in competition for snaps as a backup offensive linemen.
The former Cowboy fits the mold of what Packers traditionally look for in their offensive linemen. Using rookie measurements and numbers, the Packers typically like their offensive linemen to be taller than six feet and 3 5/8 inches, run the short shuttle faster than 4.75 seconds, and complete the 3-cone drill in under 7.71 seconds.
Bell measures in at about 6-feet and 5 1/4 inches. He completed the short shuttle in 4.76 seconds and the 3-cone in 7.69 seconds. Green Bay has been one of the more successful teams in unearthing “diamond in the rough” talent at offensive line positions.
Conclusion
While there is a slight possibility that Bell doesn’t even make the roster in September, his presence on the team will undoubtedly be beneficial to the development and depth of this roster. If the 29-year-old is unable to make the roster, then that means some of the younger talent has taken steps forward.
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Nonetheless, the offensive line is suddenly becoming full of depth. There is both developmental talent and veteran experience. The position battles in training camp will be fun to watch. And who knows, with June 1 cuts looming, Gutekunst may not be done adding to this roster.