UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell entered the 2026 NFL Draft as the ninth-ranked receiver and 59th-ranked player overall for us at PFSN, with an average draft position of 73.9 on PFSN’s Mock Draft Simulator. His ascent into the top-10 range of positional rankings is on the back of a strong 2025 campaign in which he posted an 85.0 CFB Impact Score, the sixth-best mark amongst all FBS receivers last season.
Yet Bell remains available as we enter the third and final day of the draft, so let’s dive into why that may be and when we can expect him to hear his name called.
When Could Skyler Bell Get Drafted?
For starters, Bell’s stat line of 101 receptions for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns this past season was the best of his five-year career and worthy of a Biletnikoff Award finalist, albeit in the face of underwhelming Group of Six competition. An older, non-power-conference receiver hasn’t historically generated much interest from NFL teams in at least the first two rounds.
Such a profile naturally creates a diverse group of opinions, as evidenced by Bell’s placement on big boards. He ranks 60th, 72nd, 129th, and 162nd on the boards of PFF, ESPN, The Athletic, and CBS Sports, respectively. Again, it’s a position where breakout age/early production is highly predictive for NFL duties.
Bell earned a higher ranking from our draft analysts via his comprehensive skill set. As our scouting report notes, “The 6’0″, 185-pound pass-catcher has one of the most complete three-level threat frameworks in the 2026 class.”
“He’s explosive and energized as a mover, with a full route tree, vertical splicing, steely ball tracking, and dynamic RAC chops,” the report noted. “Focus drops were an issue in 2024, but he’s even cleaned that up — making his profile one of the most well-rounded in the upcoming group.”
As for where Bell is drafted today, it’s hard to envision waiting particularly long for him to hear his name called. PFSN’s mock draft tracker caps his pick range at 114, which is where the Dallas Cowboys are currently slated to pick and certainly could use their fifth pick of this draft to nab more ammunition for quarterback Dak Prescott.
I’ll also be keeping my eye on teams like Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Las Vegas early in the fourth round. Perhaps Kansas City, if the Skyy Moore experience doesn’t scar them, or the Minnesota Vikings trade back into the fourth round to bolster their receiver room.
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Nevertheless, while I wouldn’t be shocked if he lasted until the fifth round, I remain confident he finds a new home in the first half of today’s festivities.
Be sure to tune in to our live coverage of Day 3 as well!
