Chris Bell
Getty
Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell
The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching, with teams completing their final assessments and bringing prospects in for final visits.
The Indianapolis Colts do not have a first-round pick and will make their first selection in the second round, the 47th overall. Indy has some depth concerns at some positions, with the draft being the ideal time to bolster those groups.
Colts to Meet with Louisville Wide Receiver
Chris Bell
GettyThe Colts could make an addition to the receiving core
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts will meet with Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell ahead of the draft.
Ian Rapoport
#Louisville WR Chris Bell is at the #Jets on a Top 30 visit today, then he has #Colts and Combine Rechecks later in the week.
Bell had surgery for a torn ACL in December, and countless teams have had him in to check on his progress. He has #Raiders and #Cowboys after Indy.
If the Colts were to select Bell with a Day 2 selection, Bell would fill in the gap left by Michael Pittman Jr. after he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bell, who has played his entire collegiate career at Louisville, is coming off an ACL tear he suffered late in the 2025 season. The wide receiver has recorded 2,166 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns in his collegiate career — Bell’s numbers increased with every season he played.
Pro Football Focus currently ranks Bell as the 44th overall and 7th-best wide receiver prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Bell offers an impressive blend of size — particularly weight — and explosiveness as a WR2 in a vertical offense. Some tightness in his lateral movements limits his ability to win with nuanced route-running, but when kept on vertical or horizontal routes, he can generate separation on deep routes and create yards after the catch on shorter touches,” PFF described the player.
Rapoport also mentions that Chris Bell will have a second look at his torn ACL, which, if it comes out positive, could help boost the player’s stock on draft day.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard also did not rule out the team making trades in the draft, which could push the team higher and select a different wide receiver option.
Colts Appear Interested In Drafting a Wide Receiver
Elijah Sarratt
GettyThe Colts have been meeting with wide receiver prospects ahead of the draft
Chris Bell isn’t the only wide receiver the Indianapolis Colts have met with ahead of the NFL Draft.
It was reported that Indy is eyeing wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, who won the NCAA National Championship with the University of Indiana, as a possible selection for the upcoming draft.
Sarratt, as WR2 in the 2025 season, produced 830 receiving yards and 15 touchdown catches (the most in the Big 12). The wide receiver hauled in 2,978 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in his three NCAA seasons.
The Colts currently have two selections on the second day of the draft and could likely take both Bell and Sarratt, but recent reports reveal that Indy is likely to take a wide receiver with one of the draft picks.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen mentioned at the NFL annual meeting that Alec Pierce, Tyler Warren and Josh Downs will see an increase in targets (with Michael Pittman Jr’s departure).
If Chris Bell or Elijah Sarratt are taken by Indianapolis, their first season won’t stand out, but with comfort in Steichen’s offensive scheme, they could be set up for strong second seasons.