Kenny Bell to Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had been looking for a speedy receiver to complement their top two guns in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.

Jackson and Evans both had more than 1,000 yards receiving last season, while the No. 3 receiver, Louis Murphy, had 31 catches. After Murphy, however, no other Tampa Bay wide receiver had more than six catches.

That should change with the addition of Kenny Bell.

Bell not only brings above average speed but is also a solid catcher. He ran a 4.38 at his pro day and, in 2014, averaged 16.8 yards with his 47 catches while adding six touchdowns. He was named first-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and second-team All-Big Ten by the media in 2014.

He left Nebraska as the school’s all-time leader in catches (181) and receiving yards (2,689).

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Bell should be able to challenge for the team’s third spot, or at least be the guy when the team wants to go to a four-receiver set.

Another area Bell can help Tampa Bay is on special teams. He led the team in kickoff returns in 2013, averaging 26.5 yards per return on 23 tries. He returned one against Penn State 99 yards for a touchdown.

Eight people returned kickoffs for the Bucs in 2014, and they averaged 22.8 yards per kickoff combined. The Bucs had a long of just 45 yards in 2014.

Bell doesn’t mind helping out in that area.

“I played a ton of special teams,” Bell told the Tampa Bay media by conference call shortly after being selected. “I led the Big Ten in kickoff returns my junior year at Nebraska. I love teams. I led my team in tackles at the gunner position on punts. I think that’s something that’s going to be expected of me and something that I’m really looking forward to. I love playing teams. I love just getting out there and getting an opportunity to play football so I’m very excited.”

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Bell has good genes. His father, Ken Bell, was a return specialist for the Denver Broncos from 1986 to 1989 and had more than 2,000 return yards for his career.

The rookie won’t be a stranger when he walks into the doors at 1 Buccaneer Place. His former college teammate, linebacker Lavonte David, is one of the leaders on the squad.

“I haven’t talked to Lavonte yet,” he said. “I’m really excited. I love Tay. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to talk to him. I’m very excited. He’s one of the best linebackers in the league. To watch him really grow into the person he’s grown to in Tampa Bay, I sound like a broken record but I can’t really explain to you how excited I am to get down there and see that guy.”

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.