The New Orleans Saints are looking to address a few key positions this offseason during the 2026 NFL Draft as they eye the NFC South championship seriously.
A huge reason why they have such hope is Tyler Shough, the Louisville quarterback who looks to be their franchise guy. As part of the offseason plan, the Saints will need to add a wide receiver, and the 2026 NFL Draft is the perfect time to do so.
And if they pass on a WR with the No. 8 pick, ESPN's Katherine Terrell linked the Saints to Shough's college teammate in Louisville's Chris Bell as a possible option down the board.
Saints linked to Louisville's Chris Bell after No. 8 pick
"But if the Saints choose to take a WR later in the draft instead," Terrell writes, "second-year QB Tyler Shough already has made his case for Chris Bell, Shough's former Louisville teammate."
While the Saints could end up taking one of Ohio State's Carnell Tate, USC's Makai Lemon, or Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson with the eighth pick, they could pass on a WR, picking an edge rusher or cornerback, and going WR later in the draft.
If they do make such a choice, then Bell, the Louisville receiver coming off a torn ACL, could be a great option in Round 2 for the Saints.
More: Carnell Tate is scheduled to visit with Saints among four other top-10 picking teams for 2026 NFL Draft
Last season for the Louisville Cardinals, Bell caught 72 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns. The year prior with Shough, he caught 43 passes for 737 yards and four touchdowns.
Bell would be a great WR option to pair with Chris Olave and Devaungh Vele, as the offense needs WR help, and Bell's high-ceiling would be a nice complement to their current WR duo.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver has some uncertainty thanks to coming off a serious injury, but that injury will likely allow the Saints to get the chance to take him in Round 2 for a possible Day 2 draft steal if they pass on WR in Round 1.
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