The 2026 NFL Draft offers plenty of talent at wide receiver. Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, and Makai Lemon headline this class and are all potential top-ten picks. Beyond those three, there are several other possible first-round prospects at the position. One wide receiver who’s generated a lot of buzz is Louisville’s Chris Bell. Bell has progressively improved throughout his collegiate career. His traits make him an intriguing prospect, but is he worth a first-round selection? How does Bell stack up in a strong 2026 wide receiver class?
2026 NFL Draft: Chris Bell Scouting Report
Measurables
Height- 6-foot-2
Weight- 220 pounds
Background
Bell was a three-star recruit coming out of Greenville Christian School (Mississippi) and the 124th-ranked wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2022. He committed to Louisville and saw limited action as a true freshman. Bell had seven receptions for 105 yards in 2022. His role in the Cardinals’ offense expanded in 2023, hauling in 29 catches for 407 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore. Bell continued his upward trajectory in 2024, starting all 13 games and having 43 receptions for 737 yards and four touchdowns.
After steadily improving his first three seasons, Bell had his most productive season to date in 2025. He racked up 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. Bell performed his best in key games against Virginia and Miami, having 21 receptions for 306 yards and four touchdowns in just those two matchups. His 2025 season was cut short by a torn ACL suffered against SMU.
Strengths
The first thing that stands out about Bell is his frame, measuring at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. He has the size needed to be a productive X-receiver at the next level. Bell pairs his frame with impressive straight-line speed, making him a dangerous threat vertically. He excels in contested-catch situations, being a physical mismatch against most cornerbacks. Bell can also make plays after the catch, as he uses his combination of speed and power to make defenders miss. He displays a high football IQ when finding the soft spots in zone coverage.
Weaknesses
While there’s plenty to like about Bell’s game, there are areas of concern. His route tree is fairly limited, and he isn’t the most twitchy athlete. This means he may struggle to beat man coverage consistently in the NFL. While he has potential after the catch with speed and strength, his short-area quickness leaves much to be desired. The aforementioned torn ACL also raises concerns about Bell’s speed going forward.
Overview
Bell has shown consistent improvement throughout his collegiate career. His combination of frame and top-end speed gives him impressive upside at the next level. While his route-running isn’t great, it’s an area that can be developed. The major injury suffered at the end of 2025 complicates the evaluation, but Bell is still in first-round discussions. He is a player who can win jump balls while also threatening defenses vertically. Bell projects as a second-round pick, but can be a late first-rounder if the injury concerns are cleared up. The Bills and Rams are ideal fits, as both can add depth to their wide-receiver rooms.
Main Photo: [Sam Navarro] – Imagn Images