Bell has a tremendous opportunity to grow his brand before his rookie season even starts. And who knew he grew up playing hockey in New York City?
UConn alum Skyler Bell is one of 42 NFL rookies who have been chosen to attend the NFLPA Rookie Premiere.
The NFL Players Association holds the event annually, and it can help to put rookies on the right foot for business opportunities.
“NFLPA Rookie Premiere unlocks unparalleled access to 40+ of the league’s top rookies --creating one-of-a-kind opportunities for brands looking to build player-driven product and campaigns with the next faces of the sport,” the association says on its website. “Since 1994, Rookie Premiere has served as players’ first marketing opportunity as a pro, creating partnership opportunities and genuine relationships that extend well beyond their introduction to the league.”
The Buffalo Bills selected Bell in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft last weekend with the No. 125 overall pick. So dominant was the wide receiver’s senior season with the Huskies that Bell was named an All-American at the position.
The Rookie Premiere is scheduled for May 14-17 in Los Angeles.
Who else was invited?
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo shared the list of the invitees via social media on Thursday, and Bell is in very good company, joined by a variety of first-round picks.
They include No. 1 overall selection Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas Raiders, QB), Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans, WR), Mikai Lemon (Philadelphia Eagles, WR), Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals, RB), Ty Simpson (Los Angeles Rams, QB) and Sonny Styles (Washington Commanders, LB).
Who are Bell’s new teammates in Buffalo?
Josh Allen, of course, leads the Buffalo Bills from the quarterback position and is one of the most recognizable names in the league. Bills fans are going to get to know Bell and the rest of the draft class, which consists of:
Round 2, Pick 35: OLB TJ Parker (Clemson)
Round 2, Pick 62: CB Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State)
Round 4, Pick 102: T/G Jude Bowry (Boston College)
Round 4, Pick 125: WR Skyler Bell (UConn)
Round 4, Pick 126: LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr (TCU)
Round 5, Pick 167: S Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina)
Round 5, Pick 181: DT Zane Durant (Penn State)
Round 7, Pick 220: CB Toriano Pride Jr. (Missouri)
Round 7, Pick 239: P Tommy Doman Jr. (Florida)
Round 7, Pick 241: G Ar'maj Reed-Adams (Texas A&M)
And what have we learned about Skyler Bell?
With Bell going to Buffalo, where the NHL’s Sabres are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011, he told local media that his first love was hockey. He played for 10 years while growing up, including elite travel hockey wth the New York City Cyclones.
The Sabres and Bills are owned by the same family, the Pegulas.
"I'm a huge hockey fan, it was my main sport growing up," Bell told Sydney Ciano of BuffaloBills.com. "My mom got me into it when I was around five. I never looked back. I stopped playing when I was probably 15 [or] 16, but hockey is really my first love. I still watch the NHL. I'm tapped into the playoffs right now."
The Sabres are leading the Boston Bruins 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. The teams will face off Friday night in Game 6 in Boston.
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