2026 NFL Scouting Report: Chris Bell

Prospect Summary:

With Louisville, Bell contributed in 2023 (29-407-2) and 2024 (43-737-4) before becoming one of the best wide receivers in college football in 2025. Bell had his season shortened by injury, but he was dominating defenses, including a huge performance to lead an upset over Miami. In 2025, Bell had 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns but had a late-season ACL tear.

What really sets Bell apart is what he can do as a possession receiver. Bell is a dangerous receiver who is not a burner with elite speed, but he makes up for it with polish, physicality, and strength. With good route-running and strong, reliable hands, Bell is a chain mover that does the dirty work in the short to intermediate part of the field.

Bell is very dangerous with the ball in his hands. He uses his strong frame to break tackles and is very difficult for a lot of defensive backs to get on the ground. His strength to run through their hands makes it difficult for them to get a hold of him. While he isn’t super elusive and is more straight-line, Bell does have the feet to dodge some tacklers in the open field. For the NFL, Bell has yards after the catch potential, and he could be a great fit in a West Coast offense. Bell is fantastic running the core routes of slants, digs, and crossers in the short-to-intermediate part of the field.

With his strength and ability to catch the ball in traffic, Bell is a nice weapon in the red zone. Bell tracks the ball well while using late hands to make the reception. He flashes his strength to make contested catches and win 50-50 passes.

In the 2026 NFL Draft, Bell looked like a first-round pick prior to the torn ACL. After the injury, he will probably get selected on day two.