Scouting Future Saints: Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell

Quarterback Tyler Shough had a marvelous rookie year for the New Orleans Saints last season. Once inserted into the lineup, Shough transformed the Saints offense and looks very much like the team's quarterback of the future. Shough ended his collegiate career with the Louisville Cardinals, where one of his leading receivers in 2024 was wideout Chris Bell.

New Orleans now needs to surround their young quarterback with more weapons, especially at wide receiver. It just so happens that one of the top wideouts available in this year's draft is Chris Bell. Here's a look at the draft profile of Shough's former Louisville target.

Chris Bell bio

• Position: Wide receiver

• College: Louisville Cardinals

• Height: 6-feet, 2 inches

• Weight: 222 pounds

As a freshman in 2022, Bell didn't see a lot of action, catching just 7 passes for 105 yards in four contests. His usage went up the next season with 29 receptions and 407 yards with 2 scores. Teamed with incoming transfer Shough in 2024, Bell had a breakout year with 43 catches, 737 yards, and 4 touchdowns to finish second on the team in all three receiving categories.

Bell continued his upward statistical trend in 2025. He had 72 receptions for 917 yards and 6 scores. Unfortunately, Bell suffered a torn ACL with two games remaining in the season. Despite missing those games, Bell led Louisville in every receiving category and earned 1st Team All-ACC accolades.

Strengths

• Outstanding size/speed combination

• Physical target

• Uses frame well to shield defenders from contested throws

• Excellent mid-range production

• Adjusts very well to off-target passes

• Lethal running threat after the catch

• Matches defender's physicality and fights through press

• Gives his QB an easy pitch-and-catch target

Weaknesses

• ACL injury

• Needs better agility at top of routes to beat press coverage and set up fakes

• Must disguise route breaks better

• Prone to some concentration drops

2026 draft outlook

If not for the ACL issue, Bell would be a certain first round choice and could be in the conversation for a top-15 selection. Most medical reports indicate that he'll be cleared for the start of training camp, and his pure talent and upside might still be enough to come off the board in the first round.

Even with the knee injury, Bell seems a certainty to be picked no later than before the end of round two. He is precisely the kind of physical presence that the Saints need for their offense and Shough, with the big-play abilities as an added bonus. Chris Bell was extremely productive with Shough at Louisville, with both players publicly showing the desire to be reunited in the NFL. If Bell is still there in the second round when the Saints pick at 42nd overall, New Orleans could make that reunion happen and add a tremendous talent to their offense.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL 2026 Draft: Scouting Saints prospect WR Chris Bell, Louisvillle