Why the Slide?: Chris Bell

Why the Slide Series

Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

Rnk: 51 SR PRP: 12 Ovr: 94. A+

This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player and/or the reasons other teams passed on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media’s expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?” and “Was it a Reach?”

The trio of series is back this year. Feel free to email me requests at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.

Chris Bell was 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. While the ACL was a hindrance, other receivers have been taken in the first round coming off an ACL tear from their final college football season. Many thought Bell would go in the second round, but he slid to the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Team sources say the injury was the biggest issue that hurt Bell. He may need a redshirt season in the NFL, and that status always causes teams to push players lower. On top of the late-season ACL tear, sources say they had some concerns with Bell learning the playbook.

The Miami Dolphins ended Bell’s slide, and that was a perfect landing spot for him. Miami moved on from veterans Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, so they need long-term starters to emerge. Miami is just starting a rebuild, and they can be patient with Bell. They could even stash him in 2026 to let him learn the playbook, terminology, and rehab to help him hit the ground running in 2027. I think Bell could be a starter in 2027 and beyond. He will have every opportunity to prove himself as a potential starter and No. 1 receiver of the future for the Dolphins. Bell will need to attack rehab, his playbook, and acclimate to the NFL, but he could be a steal for Miami, and this is a great opportunity for him to establish a pro career.