Reliable… That is a word that I wrote down upwards of 10 times when watching Chris Bell and the impact that he has made on the Louisville offense. Bell is an offensive coordinator’s best friend, and his unique versatility makes him an exciting offensive weapon that can be utilized in numerous ways within an offense.
Last year, Bell really broke out in 2024, playing alongside now-Saints quarterback Tyler Shough when he logged 737 yards and four touchdowns with over 17 yards per catch. These are not “elite” numbers by most standards, and a lot of fans overlooked the impact that Bell was able to make on the Cardinals’ offense.
On tape, you will see an electric weapon who has incredible athleticism to create separation, make tough catches, and make plays with the ball in his hands. In 2024, most scouts were watching for Shough and fellow Louisville pass catchers Mark Redman and Ja’Corey Brooks. While watching them, Bell’s unique skillset really caught my eye, and now he is finally starting to get the attention he deserves.
At 6’2/220, Bell has the frame of an NFL running back, and that extra weight and strength often show up on film. Athletically, Bell has quick feet to generate early separation and also has the speed to maintain that separation downfield and across the middle. He has reliable hands, rarely struggling with drops, and when he does get hold of the ball in space, good luck bringing him down.
Bell has only played in two games this season with Louisville, but has continued to show the skillset that scouts became infatuated with this offseason. This year, the test for Bell will be to prove that his skillset will continue to flash now that he is “the guy” on the Louisville offense. Many people have concerns about the volume of work for Bell, with some guys worrying that he is a “Jack of all trades, but a master of none,” something that could limit where he can play in the NFL
I disagree with this assessment as I would argue that Bells’ versatility is exactly what he is a master of. Having a player like Bell, who can line up inside and out, has a large route tree, and can be used as a gadget guy with the ball in his hands, is a nightmare for opposing defenses. He may never be that traditional X-receiver that NFL teams are hunting for, but Bell is a great compliment to an offense that may already have that guy on the outside.
As of today, I have Bell listed as a top-50 prospect who I think will be slated to be a great second-round pickup in this year’s NFL draft. His best fits would be teams like the Vikings, Jets, Cowboys, and Eagles, who already have that number one guy, but would really like to have someone who can make plays and take some pressure off their star receiver.
Bell reminds me a lot of someone like Debo Samuel, who is a quality receiver, but also has that big-bodied build to make all the plays on offense. He will make an immediate impact on an NFL offense, and in a weak WR class, Bell could go a lot higher than many people expect come draft day.
