ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. predicts a productive NFL future for former UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell.

An All-American following his senior season in 2025, Bell is projected by Kiper to be a Day 3 (rounds four through seven) draft selection. Bell is not listed among the top 10 wide receivers on Kiper’s “big board” – those players all came from Power Four programs – but that doesn’t mean Kiper isn’t high on Bell.

Kiper and colleague Field Yates, in an ESPN video shared Tuesday on X, agreed that Bell is a “sleeper” pick in the draft, which is scheduled to be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Kiper credited Bell for his growth from his first three seasons at Wisconsin to his final two at UConn. Yates cited his ability to gain yards after the catch.

“At Wisconsin, early in his career as a redshirt freshman in 2022, had nice games against Ohio State and Iowa, right? He's with some talent on the defensive side of the ball,” Kiper said. “That year he had 30 catches for a 15-yard average and five touchdowns. He goes to Connecticut two years ago. First year at Connecticut, 2024, averaged over 17 yards a catch with 50 catches. It goes from 50 catches to 101 this past year with 13 touchdowns.”

Bell, who is 23, has a maturity and physical attributes – especially big hands -- that Kiper likes. And the draft veteran believes Bell can fit in right away with an NFL team as a rookie.

“He was their go-to guy,” Kiper said of Bell’s role at Connecticut as Joe Fagnano’s No. 1 target. “Reliable consistent productive. Skyler Bell, another day three guy we'll be talking about on Saturday, April 25th, that will play in the NFL as a guy [who] will be a nice wide receiver option, maybe that fourth, fifth guy but he will contribute to an NFL offense, I think, early in his pro career.”

The Huskies went 9-4 in 2025, and Bell was a major reason for the success under previous head coach Jim Mora.

He caught 101 passes for 1,278 yards, and he became the first-ever Associated Press First-Team All-American in program history. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the best pass catcher in the nation.

He was one of only two players in the country to have 100 catches or more and was one of only three players to have 1,200 yards or more. His 13 touchdowns were second nationally. He outperformed the likes of Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), who is regarded as the best receiver in the country.

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