Miami (Fla.) offensive tackle Markel Bell visited the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice facility Friday as the team begins to host possible targets for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Even among other linemen, Bell has massive size at 6-foot-9 and 346 pounds. He played two seasons for the Hurricanes, starting five games as a junior before becoming the team’s full-time left tackle last fall. Miami finished the season as runner-up for the 2025 CFP national championship, and Bell earned third-team All-ACC honors.
Bell posted a 5.36-second time in the 40-yard dash at the combine, which tied for last among the 39 linemen who ran. But teams surely aren’t drafting him for his straight-line speed.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein considers Bell a “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.”
His 36⅜-inch arms give him a wide wingspan.
A native of Cleveland, Miss., Bell started his college career at Holmes Community College in his home state, where he earned NJCAA All-Region honors in 2023.
The Steelers can bring 30 out-of-town prospects to the team’s facilities for a visit in the days ahead of the draft in April.
