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American Football

Former NFL corner Jason Bell names positions Louis Rees-Zammit could play in NFL

Philip Marsh
Former NFL corner Jason Bell names positions Louis Rees-Zammit could play in NFLDAZN

Earlier this week, Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit made the shock announcement to leave rugby for a chance to play in the NFL.

The 22-year-old has joined the NFL's international player pathway (IPP) with the aim of securing a place on an American football team in 2024.

Rees-Zammit is not the first rugby union player from the UK to try break into the NFL, former England wing Christian Wade spent three years on the Buffalo Bills practice squad as a running back before returning to rugby.

The Welsh speedster has targeted work as a punt returner on special teams, and also hopes to be a hybrid player on offense - combining the wide receiver and running back roles much like San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel.

But former NFL cornerback Jason Bell also believes Rees-Zammit could play a role on defense.

“He could definitely be a receiver," said Bell. "Or he could be a defensive back, but how much time has he spent going backwards in his rugby career?

"It is a very lateral position and you’re not backpedalling as much in rugby. The beauty of this is analysing his athletic traits and working out where he could fit.

“It’s about looking at the things that he can already do well. He can track the ball in the air because he has been receiving kicks his whole career and he knows how to run underneath and catch the ball.

"The biggest thing of all is simply being an athlete and he is one. He can run, jump, he’s quick and he has great balance in contact. They’re all things that are necessary in the NFL."

Jason Bell is 888sport’s official NFL ambassador. 888sport is the official sports betting partner of the NFL in the UK and Ireland.

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