3 ways the Patriots can maximize Jaheim Bell's potential 

3 ways the Patriots can maximize Jaheim Bell's potential: Line him up as a lead blocker 

In a previous life, when Van Pelt was the Packers’ running backs coach, one of the backs he worked with was John Kuhn, a fullback. It's a position that is almost extinct nowadays, with the only exceptions being Andrew Beck and Kyle Juszczyk, who are featured in their offenses regularly.  

Most teams don’t employ a fullback because they can’t find a player who is good enough and will improve their offense. But the Patriots might have done just that. Bell is similar to Juszczyk, with Bell being just six pounds heavier. His 40-yard-dash time at the Combine was also 0.10 seconds faster than Juszczyk’s in 2013.

So, he's essentially like a bigger and faster version of Juszczyk? What's not to like?

It’s safe to say Bell wasn’t an elite run blocker during his time in South Carolina. Pro Football Focus graded his blocking at 40.0 (that’s not good). After one season in Tallahassee, he had improved to 60.4! While he’s still a work in progress, he’ll be fine if he continues with that sort of exponential improvement. 

Even if Van Pelt doesn’t use him as a lead blocker, lining up in the “I formation” with Bell ahead of a feature back will still work. It would open up the play-action passing game and allow the quarterback to audible. Splitting Bell out as a tight end or even as a receiver will allow the signal caller to better identify zone coverages. 

Bell notably worked as an unconventional lead blocker at FSU. Instead of leading the way for a running back, Bell cleared a path for his quarterback, Jordan Travis. He also lined up at h-back and running back as part of a dual running back formation.

If he is comfortable in all those roles, it would be silly not to utilize him in them.