The 2026 NFL Draft is thin at a lot of positions, but still packs some punch at wide receiver.
Whether it’s at the top of the board, with the likes of Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, or USC’s Makai Lemon, or gems in the middle rounds of this year’s NFL Draft class, teams are going to have plenty of chances to add a playmaking receiver.
NFL Draft 2026: Potential ‘Next A.J. Brown’ revealed
Dec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Dec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Over at CBS Sports, NFL analyst JP Acosta put together his list of some of his favorite ‘value’ prospects in this year’s class, including a wide receiver he believes to be the next A.J. Brown, Louisville’s Chris Bell.
“Listen,” Acosta writes for CBS. “I know we’ve been burned before by the thought of a player being the “next A.J. Brown”… but hear me out. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Bell might’ve run in the 4.3s if he didn’t tear his ACL toward the end of the season. His skill set at that size is really intriguing on the boundary as an X receiver. He constantly improved as the season went on, showcasing more of an ability to win against press with his size and has a second gear to threaten teams vertically. However, where he’s at his best is after the catch. He’s a bully with the ball in his hands, using his size and speed to take crossing routes to the end zone (just ask Miami).”
The former Louisville standout caught 72 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns last season, while averaging 12.7 yards per reception.
If a team is looking for a big-bodied receiver who doubles as a big-play threat, Bell could go off the board quicker than many expect.