FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Chris Bell
Chris Bell (WR – Louisville)
6’2″ – 220 lbs.
Background
Three-star recruit who caught seven passes as a freshman before seeing his role expand to finish his sophomore season with 29-407-2 (14.0), with eleven starts in fourteen appearances. Posted 43-737-4 (17.1) as a junior and then 72-917-6 (12.7) in eleven starts this past season before tearing his ACL in late November.
Positives
Tall, thickly-built three-year starter with escalating output from season to season. Uses the split release effectively at the line against press coverage, and also uses pace changes, especially on the skip release. Shows good burst off the line of scrimmage, with the long speed to challenge opponents deep. Does a good job of attacking leverage. Shows pretty good knee-bend and flexibility as a route runner, and flattens out his routes to keep defenders out of the play and limit turnovers. Many of his patterns are on things like hooks and slants, where he does a good job of getting inside his opponent. Settles into soft spots against zone coverage. Works back to the ball. Shows good awareness near the sidelines. Size and flexibility make him a big target. Uses his frame effectively to box out opposing defenders, and has been an effective target in contested-catch situations throughout his career. Became a much more reliable receiver this past year, with just three drops. Much more explosive after the catch than his size would suggest; has a hard, galloping running style with impressive acceleration and the speed to hit home runs. Can shake off some smaller defenders. Size and strength give him a lot of upside as a blocker.
Negatives
Despite his impressive speed and explosiveness, wasn’t used as a deep threat every often, and the vast majority of his targets come on shorter routes. Drops have been a bit of an issue in the past, with thirteen against 151 career catches, and ten against 79 catches coming into this season. An effective blocker when he wants to be, but turns into a spectator before the play is over much more often than you’d like; often delivers a solid hit and packs it in. Tore his ACL in November, so will likely not be able to work out before the draft, and medical evaluations will be important.
Summary
A big, thickly-built receiver who shows good flexibility, very good play strength, and a surprising amount of speed and explosiveness after the catch, predominantly working in the short-to-intermediate range. Had been enjoying a productive, much-improved 2025 season before sustaining a season-ending ACL tear, building early-round momentum that could be affected by pre-draft medical checks. Still, it’s hard to imagine someone with his talent making it past the second day of the draft, even if there is some risk involved.
Projection: Round 2-3
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