Opinions on the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver room vary wildly from fan to fan. Some might view it as a group filled with untapped potential waiting to be unlocked by new receivers coach Chad O'Shea. Others feel that the room needs a major upgrade and have no concerns about spending the No. 9 overall pick on a receiver.
No matter how you feel, there’s plenty of receiver talent in this class, and the Chiefs would be wise to invest in the position regularly, especially with the questions surrounding Rashee Rice and the unknown of Jalen Royals. Most Chiefs fans are looking to break the mold of the Andy Reid receiver and want a larger-bodied, X-style receiver to change the offense and how the passing game works.
Chris Bell has a lot of traits Chiefs fans would crave for their receiver room, and was viewed as a fringe first-round pick as late as November. However, all of that changed when he tore his ACL that month. Now the question is how far Bell will fall and when he makes sense for Kansas City.
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Chris Bell | WR | 6-2 220 LBS
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) January 31, 2026
Physical, thrives over the middle, breaks tackles, and creates explosive yards after catch. Strong in-breaking routes, body control, and contested catches. Needs to be better vs press/man. Torn ACL late November 2025.
Shades of: D.K. Metcalf pic.twitter.com/ew2AmXfzr3
NFL Draft Profile: Chris Bell, Wide Reciever, Louisville
Height: 6-2 (listed)
Weight: 220 LBS (listed)
Tape Exposure: Clemson (2025), Miami (2025), Virgina (2025)
Shades of: D.K. Metcalf
Chris Bell's background
Bell grew up in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where he played high school football for Greenville Christian School. He was a state qualifier in the 200m dash in track and field. Rated as a three-star prospect by 247 Sports, Bell committed to Louisville, where he spent all four years of his college career. Bell finished his college career with 2,166 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12.1 yards per reception. During his senior year, he logged 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. He suffered a torn ACL on November 22 against SMU, ending his season and complicating his draft process.
Chris Bell's strengths
NFL Frame
His physical skill set might be one of the best in the class. He carries his size well and is freakishly athletic for his size and speed. His large frame allows him to pin the ball off would-be tacklers and win at the catch point against tight coverage.
Yards after the Catch
Explosive with the ball in his hands, Bell has long, powerful strides that help him pull away. He is powerful at the catch point and sees the field well as a runner. His 74.7 separation score ranks in the 74th percentile among FBS receivers. His 5.9 yards after the catch per reception rank in the 59th percentile. For a player of his size, both are impressive numbers that speak to his athleticism.
Versatility
Bell is built for a modern NFL offense. With a strong blocking profile, he can be an iso X receiver, a Z, or even a power slot, making him a valuable chess piece for an offense looking to vary its looks with the same personnel. He’s good enough with the ball in his hands to be a threat in the sweep and ground game, similar to Deebo Samuel.
Chris Bell's weaknesses
Limited Vertical Production
With Bell, it’s not just a limited route tree. There’s also a lack of vertical production downfield. He ranks in the 25th percentile in average depth of target. Louisville also had rough quarterback play in 2025, so his opportunities downfield were few and far between.
Injury
It’s obvious, but suffering a serious injury this late in the year will likely impact his entire process. A player who could have really used a strong combine performance won’t get to test. Additionally, he won’t be healthy for rookie camp or OTAs and will likely miss most of training camp. That’s a huge factor for a rookie, and a redshirt season feels highly likely for all of those reasons.
Route Running
Bell has been mostly like rookie Rashee Rice without the screens. Most of his production has come on slants, drags, and curls. He hasn’t shown the ability to win downfield or consistently in the intermediate area. His limited lateral agility doesn’t help him separate from man coverage on more complex routes.
When does Chris Bell make sense for the Chiefs?
If you’re drafting Chris Bell, it’s likely with the idea of replacing Rashee Rice and potentially growing into more. Other players can do what he does just as well or better, such as Omar Cooper and Makai Lemon. Day 3 feels like a good value for a player with his skill set, especially when accounting for the limitations he’ll face during his rookie season. There are exciting parts of his game that translate to any offense; the question is when and to what extent those traits can be unlocked.
Chris Bell possesses ideal NFL size and run-after-the-catch ability to line up and win anywhere on the field. His route tree is limited, and his downfield production raises concerns about his profile as a larger-bodied X receiver. With proper recovery from his injury, he profiles as a contributor best suited for a power-slot role.
Round Grade: Grey Chip (Day 3 Grade)