3 ways the Patriots can maximize Jaheim Bell's potential 

3 ways the Patriots can maximize Jaheim Bell's potential: Out of the backfield 

So, he lined up as a fullback and in a two-back set at college. He even started four games as a running back during the 2022 season in South Carolina, but Bell probably won’t spend much time as the feature back in New England.  

The Patriots have six players who can fill that role. But few are as adept at catching passes out of the backfield as the 22-year-old. If the Patriots feel creative in 2024, they’ll line up Bell as a h-back. 

Getting the ball out of the quarterback's hands quickly will be critical to the Patriots success in 2024. Lining up with a h-back would provide the quarterback with a pass-catching option in the flat and add an extra blocker behind what looks to be a porous offensive line.

Two rookie quarterbacks may also make the 53-man roster, so lining up in formations traditionally used in college may help expedite their transition. 

Some analysts have questioned Bell’s pass-catching technique; they worry that he might be a bit of a body-catcher. But even his critics concede that his ability to track the ball's flight is rare. His strength and athleticism also mean he hauls in passes even when he is covered tightly by physical defenders.