Here's why the Cleveland Browns must target Louisville Cardinals' wide receiver Chris Bell in the 2026 NFL Draft.
As the 2025 NFL regular season begins to die down, all eyes will be on the Cleveland Browns and general manager Andrew Berry this offseason.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, Berry made the risky call of moving down from the No. 2 spot to the No. 5 spot, which ultimately landed him two first-round picks for the 2026 NFL Draft.
This ended up being a perfect decision for the struggling franchise, as they now have the ammunition to revamp the organization this offseason.
My guess is that the Browns will likely focus on the quarterback position and the offensive line in round one of the upcoming draft due to the depth of this year’s wide receiver class. If this is the case, then selecting a wide receiver in the second round will be a top priority for Berry on day two.
Looking at the top receivers in the class, Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, USC’s Makai Lemon, and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson lead the group, while Washington’s Denzel Boston continues to grow his draft stock this season.
Outside of the top four, however, the Browns would likely have their choice to select whichever wide receiver they deem to be the best fit.
Obviously, a rookie pass catcher that is selected on day two or three would not be expected to be a No. 1 option in his first season. For this reason, the Browns must target a wide receiver who has the potential to eventually become a top pass catcher and needs some refinement to his game.
One name that Cleveland fans should keep an eye on before the month of April is Louisville Cardinals’ wide receiver, Chris Bell.
The senior playmaker came into this season with a lot to prove after tallying 737 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2024. Luckily for Bell, he would see his draft stock soar this season, recording 917 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 72 receptions.
At 6-foot-2, 220 lbs., the Louisville standout has an elite frame that will translate to the NFL. His elite size, along with his massive catch radius, allows him to be a reliable target in man-to-man situations. Most importantly, however, Bell is nothing short of electric when it comes to creating yards after the catch.
While there is plenty to like about his game, Bell should be considered a developmental wide receiver.
Cardinals’ offensive coordinator Brian Brohm has kept his route tree simple and has relied on his ability to create big-time plays after the catch throughout this season. This is a red flag to most scouts, as he will clearly need to work on polishing his route-running ability at the next level.
The Browns are in desperate need of a true No. 1 wide receiver, but due to the franchise’s needs up front, Berry must trust the coaching staff to help his development path.
If Bell were to reach his max potential in the NFL, he could be similar to former Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who was viewed as a pass catcher who wins off his physical style of play.