The belief around the New Orleans Saints is that WR Chris Olave should be signing his extension with the team. When that happens, the Saints will have their WR1 solidified for the next five years, and although that is a great start, it is nowhere near enough for the Saints to feel comfortable in 2026. WR3 is also solidified with Devaughn Vele and other depth pieces fighting for that spot, but WR2 is wide open.

Putting Tyler Shough in the best situation to succeed means the Saints need to invest in weapons around him. On Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, one player sticks out as a perfect prospect to achieve this: Chris Bell. 

This past season for Louisville, Bell was the top receiver and made play after play for this offense. At around 6-foot-2, Bell can beat recievers a number of ways, but his best asset is his speed. If Bell gets the ball in stride, the defenders can give up because no one is catching him. He is also very good at securing catches, adjusting to the ball, and winning in contested scenarios. Bell is a threat from anywhere on the field, especially on deep passes. 

In 2024, when Tyler Shough was the QB for Louisville, Bell was also there and was one of Shough's favorite targets. The two had great chemistry, and when Bell was skyrocketing up draft boards during the season, Shough even talked about how good of a WR he is. 

For the Saints' WR room, Bell would be the perfect WR2. He adds an after-catch ability currently missing from Olave and Vele. His speed and physicality make him a very versatile weapon for HC Moore, and his existing chemistry with Shough helps the second-year QB gain some familiarity. 

Bell is the perfect option on Day 2, but there's a main reason why he would still be available. 

On November 22nd, against SMU, Bell tore his ACL. At that point, the Louisville WR was supposed to be a lock for the first round, but now that has changed. The injury should knock Bell out for at least six months, but even if he makes a full recovery, there are two issues: his playstyle and the risk of reinjury. Bell's acceleration after the catch is eye-popping and a main reason why he is highly valued. His ACL injury could affect that. Also, teams will be worried about the possibility of reinjury.

The Saints value players overcoming adversity, and Bell's return from his injury would be just that. Like with Shough last year, if the Saints' doctors believe Bell will make a full recovery and all is well, he could easily be the selection in round 2, but if not, the team may want to avoid drafting him, even with being an excellent fit.