The new first-year players for the Philadelphia Eagles were on the field for drills at rookie minicamp for the first time Friday. In the offensive line group, Markel Bell stood out.
Standing at 6-foot-9, 346 pounds, Bell is hard to miss. On the first day of Eagles rookie minicamp, he gained attention for his massive size.
NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro highlighted Bell in his rookie camp notes Friday.
“The thing that stood out most among the offensive linemen was third-round pick Markel Bell,” wrote Zangaro. “He’s every bit of 6-foot-9 with a long and somewhat slender build, especially in his lower half, despite weighing 346 pounds.
“Might need a little more junk in the trunk.”
Other Eagles insiders discussed Bell’s height and big frame on social media.
The Eagles selected Bell at No. 68 overall in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Eagles 3rd-Round Pick Showing Off Massive Frame at Rookie Minicamp
Bell’s official NFL Draft profile listed him as standing at 6-foot-9 and a quarter inch tall. The profile also listed Bell at 346 pounds with 36 and three-eighths-inch arms and nine-inch hands.
Even among offensive linemen, Bell stands out as a mammoth.
For his size, he’s also athletic. Bell ran the 40-yard dash in 5.36 seconds with a 1.84 10-second split at the NFL combine.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein argued Bell held Day 3 value because he’s actually a little too tall.
“Mountainous tackle with rare physical attributes that work both in his favor and against him depending on the situation. There is no escaping a high center of gravity, which will impact his ability to change direction in protection and create consistent engagement as a run blocker,” wrote Zierlein. “Bell must play in a gap-scheme attack to minimize his limitations.
“He has exceptional length that he puts to good use in finding static pass rushers and offering shade to the pocket.”
But clearly, the Eagles loved him because of his rare physical traits. Philadelphia took him early in the third round.
Bell’s Potential Role With Eagles
Veteran offensive linemen Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson each returned for the Eagles after mulling retirement this offseason. That’s great for Philadelphia’s 2026 roster.
But their long-term future is very much in doubt.
So while Bell doesn’t really have a chance to start in 2026, he could develop into a starter. There may be an opening for him at right tackle as early as 2027.
This fall, Bell will likely be the team’s fourth tackle. Opposite Johnson, Jordan Mailata will return to start at left tackle.
Fred Johnson, who received considerably playing time at the end of last season because of Lane Johnson’s injuries, is also back. Fred Johnson will be Philadelphia’s swing tackle.
Bell will likely compete with other tackles Cameron Williams, John Ojukwu, and Myles Hinton.
On Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Eagles also picked guard Micah Morris. Bell and Morris were working together in drills at Philadelphia’s rookie minicamp Friday.
The team’s rookie minicamp will only be two days. It concludes on Saturday, May 2.
The Eagles will begin full team offseason workouts on May 26. Mandatory minicamp will occur for the team from June 9-10.
Eagles Day 2 Pick Draws Praise With 6-Foot-9, 346-Pound Frame at Rookie Minicamp