Could Chris Bell fill the 49ers need at wide receiver?
The San Francisco 49ers will be in the market for a wide receiver during the 2026 NFL Draft. They traded Deebo Samuel last offseason and have a looming breakup with Brandon Aiyuk. Fortunately for them, a perfect prospect awaits for Kyle Shanahan’s scheme; however, it doesn’t come without drawbacks.
Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell is an ideal pairing for the 49ers. He would play an extremely similar role to Deebo Samuel as an explosive, yards after catch threat. Sadly, Bell tore his ACL in the Cardinals’ final regular season game and is expected to miss a majority of the 2026 season.
Bell was viewed as a potential first round pick before the injury. His draft stock is likely to plummet to mid-day two now. This creates excellent value if a head coach and general manager can afford waiting a year for him, which Shannahan and John Lynch can.
Bell is built like a bowling ball at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. He’s an exceptional athlete, with elite vertical speed and unparalleled acceleration. Bell’s dangerous with the ball in his hands; he’s powerful enough to run straight through people and has the agility to continue churning forward and picking up speed. Arm tackles aren’t enough to bring him down.
The senior burst onto the national scene with a dominant nine receptions, 136 yards and two touchdowns in week eight to help Louisville upset Miami. He had 92 yards after the catch and three broken tackles against the Hurricanes. This game exemplified his impact as a dynamic, game-changing player.
Bell’s a good route runner, but could use improvement. He has flashes of creating instant separation with a great release and precise cut, but those don’t come enough. Sometimes he has to rely purely on his physicality, which often works, but may not be sustainable. This is why putting him in a Shanahan offense where he can scheme up open space for Bell is ideal.
The former Cardinal doesn’t skimp out on any plays. He’s a ferocious run blocker who uses his physicality to bully opposing defenders. Bell’s a selfless player who doesn’t need to be the centerpiece of an offense.
Chris Bell would be a fantastic selection for the 49ers in the NFL Draft. His explosiveness after the catch, top-end speed, and power make him an intriguing option regardless of his torn ACL. He wouldn’t be on the field much in 2026, but Kyle Shanahan would have a dangerous weapon for the foreseeable future.