Steelers waive TE Jaheim Bell

Bell was a seventh-round pick by the Patriots in 2024 and has caught two career passes for 20 yards in 15 games. The athletic tight end who was treated as a TE/HB hybrid in college has struggled to catch on as a full-time tight end in the pros. He could have a chance to earn a spot on the Steelers’ 53-man roster in training camp, but it’s hard to imagine him making much of an impact on offense even if he sticks on the roster.

Bell was drafted by the Patriots in 2024. He did not make the roster this year and joined the Eagles’ practice squad. That didn’t last long and he spent the end of the year on the Steelers’ practice squad. Back in Philly, Bell could crack the team’s roster if Dallas Goedert walks in free agency.

R.I.P. to the Ben Sauls trade candidate era, which lasted about 50 minutes. Pittsburgh also waived DL Kyler Baugh, LB Mark Robinson, LB Julius Welschof, DB D’Shawn Jamison, DB Daryl Porter, OL Steve Jones, OL Aiden Williams, TE JJ Galbreath, RB Lew Nichols, WR Max Hurleman and WR Lance McCutcheon.

Bell was an intriguing receiving tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Patriots also waived RB Micah Bernard, DT Philip Blidi, DB Isaiah Bolden, TE Cole Fotheringham, WR Phil Lutz, LB R.J. Moten, CB Jordan Polk, OG Tyrese Robinson, OG Sidy Sow, RB Shane Watts and QB Ben Wooldridge and released DT Kyle Peko, LB Monty Rice

They waived Hill with a failed physical designation. Hill played in two games in 2023, but happened to be on the field for just one defensive snap. He suffered a season-ending knee injury last preseason and apparently still is not healthy enough to play. Hill figures to garner little interest on waivers as the Texans eat a little money on the final two years of his rookie contract. Perhaps he’ll be a free-agent target elsewhere once healthy.

The Patriots’ front-seven is down three starters at this point. It’s an unideal situation facing the 49ers’ vaunted rushing attack. The 49ers’ pass rush should also effectively generate pressure against the Patriots’ problematic offensive line.

Hill suffered a significant knee injury in a pre-season game against the Los Angeles Rams and will have season-ending surgery. The former seventh-round draft pick from the University of Pittsburgh was expected to serve as secondary depth.

Bell (6'2/241) is arguably the most unique tight end prospect in the class. He began his career at South Carolina and broke out in his second season with 30 catches for 497 yards and five scores. Then, in 2022, the Gamecocks split his reps evenly between running back and tight end, slashing his receiving output to 231 yards and two scores. He added 261 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. After transferring to Florida State for his final season, Bell picked up where he left off as a tight end, totaling 503 yards and two touchdowns on 39 grabs. He posted an 8.43 RAS at the combine, highlighted by a 4.61-second 40. Bell doesn’t have the size take on defensive linemen as a blocker and even improvements in his technique can’t change that simple fact. His uncanny ability to turn short catches into long gains makes him a great weapon out of the slot and he is a Swiss Army Knife out of the backfield. The Patriots will need to be creative if they want to get the most out of him.

Hill (5’10/193) was the 50th-rated safety from the 2019 prep cycle according to 247Sports, starting for the last two seasons as an enforcer who spent most of his time at box safety. He broke out in 2021 by recording 81 tackles, eight PBU, and two interceptions, while earning a 79.3 PFF run defense grade and Second Team All-ACC status. His 2022 was not as fruitful, however, as Hill’s production waned significantly by breaking up just two passes with zero interceptions. A twitchy athlete, he recorded the fastest 40-yard dash of the 2023 safety group with a sensational 4.43s time (97th%) to go with 88th percentile agility drills for a very projectable 8.55 RAS. Hill’s speed is evident on film and he’s consistently in phase out of breaks, while his tenacity in run defense and ability to patrol from sideline to sideline are his best attributes. He doesn’t have the elongated arms of his contemporaries in the safety group and can take poor angles to the ball carrier at times which leads to misses. Hill will have a chance to stick around in The League with his elite burst and speed, but he needs to play more like the 2021 version if he wants to make an NFL team.

Powell was a fifth-round pick last year, and anytime a receiver has Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback, he becomes an intriguing fantasy name to watch. Powell was one of those for a short period but never made anything of his opportunity. He never appeared in a game for the Chiefs.