The Indianapolis Colts are hosting a wide receiver this week ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft who has explosive traits but is recovering from a November ACL tear.
The Indianapolis Colts find themselves in need at the receiver position after trading away Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell in the last five months.
Pittman was a constant in the Colts' receiver room since 2020, earning himself a large contract extension in 2024, which became too expensive and led to his departure. Mitchell was the team's promising receiver of the future, but was included in a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets last season.
The Colts re-signed Alec Pierce this offseason and used a first-round pick on tight end Tyler Warren last year, but slot receiver Josh Downs is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Now, the Colts are kicking the tires on receivers before the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft on Thurs., April 23. They're hosting one this week that offers some of the positive traits of both Pittman and Mitchell in Louisville's Chris Bell.
"Louisville WR Chris Bell is at the Jets on a Top 30 visit today, then he has Colts and Combine Rechecks later in the week," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport posted on X. "Bell had surgery for a torn ACL in December, and countless teams have had him in to check on his progress. He has Raiders and Cowboys after Indy."
Bell (6'2', 222, 21 years old) has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown due to their comparable size and play styles coming out of college. However, Bell is recovering from an ACL tear that he suffered in November and had surgery on in December. As a result, he hasn't done any pre-draft workouts, and his evaluation is solely based on tape and background information.
Bell has been a productive, three-year starter for the Cardinals, sticking with the program and improving his stats each year, culminating in 72 catches for 917 yards (12.7 avg.) and six touchdowns in 2025.
He's an explosive, but linear receiver with a limited route tree, but he's able to make plenty of plays on the routes he is asked to run. Bell has decent, but not great, hands (13 career drops) and comes down with more contested catches than he relinquishes (55.9% contested catch rate).
Bell's recovery timeline may mesh well with what the Colts need at receiver. Without a first-round pick, it's unrealistic to expect a rookie receiver to come in and grab a starting spot, so players such as Downs, Warren, and Ashton Dulin will likely step up to replace some of what Pittman and Mitchell leave behind.
Bell also has special teams experience, so that's another way to get him on the field after he returns and can help acclimate him to the speed of the NFL game.
If the Colts were to select Bell, it likely would be in either the second or third round, which will be held on Fri., April 24. The Colts currently hold the 47th (second round) and 78th (third round) picks.