UNLV’s Beau Bell drafted by Cleveland

After drafting UNLV linebacker Beau Bell on Sunday, Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage joked that his scouting staff will vacation in Las Vegas next year.

Maybe Browns scouts should seriously consider buying a home here -- or at least UNLV season tickets.

For the second year in a row, the Browns traded with the Dallas Cowboys to move up and draft a Rebel. Last year it was cornerback Eric Wright in the second round. On Sunday the Browns moved up 18 spots to grab Beau Bell high in the fourth round, 104th overall.

"I feel like Beau Bell, when we kick off on opening day, he's going to be on the field," Savage said. "I'd be shocked if he's not on the field playing."

Bell isn't expected to start right away at inside linebacker. Savage said he sees Bell (6 feet 1 inch, 239 pounds) becoming an immediate force on special teams, while evolving into an impact linebacker.

"The thing about Beau is he's going to bring a physical presence to our special teams that we needed," Savage said. "We have some athleticism with our cover guys, but this kid's kind of a hammer-type hitter, and if you saw some of his highlights, he really knows how to finish. He brings some explosion at the end of plays."

Bell was at his mother's home in Tustin, Calif., when the Browns called.

"It was surreal because I've dreamt about this my whole life, and it happened," said Bell, who will leave Thursday morning for minicamp.

He will go from an outside linebacker in UNLV's 4-3 defensive alignment to an inside backer in the Browns' 3-4.

"He was always an off-the-line linebacker except for when he would walk on the end of the line and rush," Savage said. "I mean, he's an inside backer. There's no real projection there."

Cleveland was one of four NFL teams Bell visited, and Savage said the Browns regarded him as a second- or third-round talent. Bell was the Browns' first pick because they did not have selection in the first three rounds.

But Savage also knew Bell's left knee injury in January -- and his 40-yard dash time of 4.9 seconds in March -- scared other clubs from drafting the 2007 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Savage said he considered trading up to take Bell in the third round, but resisted until early in the fourth.

Regardless, Bell is going to a team that clearly desired him regardless of his subpar 40-yard dash time.

"It probably did (hurt me with other clubs), but I know there weren't any worries with Cleveland," Bell said.

Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. told the ESPN audience that Bell's optimum 40 time is in the range of 4.65 to 4.7 seconds.

"His best fit was probably with the Cleveland Browns," Kiper said.

Defensive Jeremy Geathers (6-2, 248) was the only other Rebel with a realistic chance to be drafted. He wasn't selected, but during the seventh round he agreed to a free-agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Geathers, who left UNLV after his junior season, said Saints coach Sean Payton called him to make the offer. Other clubs such as the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans also called, but Geathers said he liked the Saints' personal touch and the fact they didn't draft any defensive ends.

"When it gets to the sixth round, it becomes the same type of money (as a free agent), no matter where you go," Geathers said. "I was looking for the best opportunity, and this one was the best opportunity."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.