Scouting Future Saints: UConn Huskies wide receiver Skyler Bell

Despite an outstanding season from Chris Olave in 2025, the New Orleans Saints go into the 2026 NFL Draft with a need a wide receiver. The Saints may fill it with the eighth overall pick, but the receiver class looks deep enough to address other needs in the first round. Wideout Skyler Bell of the UConn Huskies is one talented pass catcher that should be available to New Orleans during Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Olave is the top receiver in New Orleans. Other than him, Devaughn Vele and Ja'Lynn Polk are each promising but unproven, with the rest of the depth chart sketchy at best. Bell would be one of potentially a handful of talented wideouts in Day 2 who would give Saints quarterback Tyler Shough another valuable weapon.

Skyler Bell bio

• Position: Wide receiver
• College: Connecticut Huskies
• Height: 6-feet
• Weight: 192 pounds
• 40-yard dash: 4.4 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.53 seconds
• Vertical jump: 41"
• Broad jump: 11'1"

At the Taft School in Connecticut, Bell was a three-star recruit who elected the Wisconsin Badgers to start off his college career. A redshirt as a freshman in 2021 after 1 catch in one game appearance. Bell caught 30 balls for 444 yards and 5 scores in 2022 with the Badgers, second on the team in each category. In 2023, he'd have 38 catches for 296 yards before entering the transfer portal at the end of the year.

Bell would up with the UConn Huskies, where in 2024 he led the team with 860 receiving yards and 5 scores on 50 receptions. He'd erupt in his final season, pulling in 101 receptions, 1,278 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Bell was second in the NCAA in receiving yardage, fourth in receptions, and third in touchdowns. That led to 1st Team All-American accolades as well as being a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award.

Strengths

• Equally productive outside and inside at all three levels
• Field stretching speed with sudden acceleration
• Explodes out of breaks
• Beats press consistently
• Very good body control along sideline and on contested throws
• Excellent burst as a runner after the catch

Weaknesses

• Doesn't have elite long speed
• Must improve intermediate route precision
• Needs to be better in traffic
• Doesn't win enough contested balls
• Does not adjust well to off-target throws

Skyler Bell 2026 draft outlook

Bell's physical tools and outstanding production makes him a probable second day choice, perhaps as soon as early in round two. His ability to be a weapon from both outside and the slot gives him a ton of flexibility for teams. There are some nuances he'll need to improve on as a route runner, but he should be an instant contributor and has the upside to develop into a featured wideout.

New Orleans doesn't necessarily need a number one wideout with Olave about to sign a lucrative extension. However, they are desperate for more weapons at this position for Shough. Skyler Bell isn't the most flashy name in the draft, but his potentially high production at every level could make several teams regret on even letting him slide into Day 2.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: UConn Huskies WR Skyler Bell scouting report