Chris Bell

● Looks the part with large, muscular frame and proportioned bulk ● Outstanding body control and play strength to make difficult catches ● Big body makes it tough for defenders to go through him (12.7 percent of routes were slants, third-highest rate in the FBS) ● Rare acceleration for a player his size — made ACC defensive backs look slow ● Dangerous run-after-catch weapon because of ability to plant, go and pull away from pursuit ● Route cuts aren’t deceptive, but they’re much more efficient than on his underclassman tape ● Made improvements with his shake at the line to release and get on top of corners ● Drop rate fell each season (only 4.0 percent in 2025); made several “wow” one-handed grabs ● Built to make a living over the middle (65 percent of 2025 targets came between the numbers) ● Competitive personality; his coaches describe him as a “self-starter” ● Production increased each season, including 83.4 receiving yards per game in 2025 (second in ACC) 94 Back to table of contents -- 98 of 629 --

● Rough around the edges as a route runner and often tips his path ● Better straight-line athlete than when trying to move laterally ● Inconsistent setting up open-field moves ● Mediocre run balance; doesn’t break as many tackles as expected for a player his size ● Plays with the power to bully corners off his path, but makes it too obvious and will draw attention from NFL officials ● Erratic blocking effort — uses his shoulder instead of extension and doesn’t stay after it ● Very emotional; not shy letting his QB know his displeasure about placement of throws ● Penalized a combined 16 times over past 3 seasons, including six flags in 11 games last season (three unsportsmanlike/personal fouls, two holds, one pass interference) ● Torn left ACL (Nov. 2025) late in senior season; underwent surgery (Dec. 2025) with Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas and sidelined for the 2026 NFL Draft process (Bell: “Dr. Cooper said I’ll hopefully be ready for training camp.”)

A three-year starter at Louisville, Bell was an outside receiver (exclusively to the right of the formation) in head coach Jeff Brohm’s spread scheme. A late bloomer in high school, he made clear improvements each year for the Cardinals, which was reflected in his receiving production. He became the team’s No. 1 pass catcher as a senior and played his best ball, including a three-game stretch (at Pitt, vs. Virginia, at Miami) in which he became the first Louisville player with nine-plus catches in three straight games since Deion Branch in 2001. Bell passes the eye test with his size and acceleration, and he displays the versatility to be both a bully possession target and run-after-catch weapon. Having run primarily slants, crossers and hitches (with the occasional post/go route mixed in) on his college tape, he needs to expand his route tree and polish his releases. He is a tough competitor, although there are times when he needs to keep his emotions in check. Overall, Bell is still rough around the edges in several areas, but he is big, strong and explosive — and it is hard to find those guys, especially with Bell’s receiving talent. An ACL injury complicates his draft grade, but he earned an NFL starter projection when healthy.