Skyler Bell was a three star recruit coming out of high school in the Bronx, New York. Bell chose the University of Wisconsin where he redshirted as a freshman in 2021. Over the next two seasons with the Badgers, Bell would total 25 games played, 14 of which were starts, 68 catches, 740 yards and six touchdowns. He transferred to the University of Connecticut after the 2023 season.
In 2024, Bell played in all 13 games for the Huskies and led the team in receiving yards(860) and touchdowns(5). One of his best days came against the University at Buffalo. A 70 yard TD catch was one of three touchdowns he had in UConn's victory over the Bulls.
Bell saved his best season for last. In 2025, the 6'0", 185 pounder set a program record with 11 receptions. He totaled 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. The TD total was also a UConn record. Bell was a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the best receiver in the country. He was also a consensus All American, the first ever for UConn football.
Bell was timed at 4.40 seconds in the 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine in February. That was 12th best out of the 34 wide receivers who ran. His 41" vertical jump was fifth best among wideouts.
Joe Marino provides draft analysis for WGR. His website is the joe marino.com and you can subscribe to his Locked On Bills Podcast. Joe shares his thoughts on Bell.
Positives:
There's a lot to like about the overall profile. He's got good size and really good athleticism, and I love how that led to production. One of the most productive receivers in college this past year. I don't think that always tells the story, but there's something to be said for, everybody knows this is the guy, and nobody really stopped him. I think that speaks to his overall playmaking potential. He's sudden, he's explosive and he can create space for himself as a route runner and with the ball in his hands. Easy acceleration, easy change of direction, smooth and efficient and rapid getting in and out of route breaks. The yards after catch profile is really exciting. He can get the ball and turn it into a big gain. He can pull away. He's going to win those foot races.
I think there's a multi-level player right here. You can get him the ball vertically. You can get him the ball quick, and he can create with it in his hands. Then he's willing to work the middle of the field and go in there and make tough catches. I think there's a threat at every level of the field and even for a guy that isn't necessarily the biggest. He's not small, but he's not huge. There are really good ball skills and body control that get you excited.
Negatives:
On field strength playing through contact. He's bumped off his path pretty easily. Getting off the line of scrimmage in that release, if there are hands on him, he does have a hard time getting into that stem. Obviously, that is disruptive to the overall timing of the play. You'd have to develop a release package. He has to get stronger and you'd have to find ways to not deal with as much contact throughout his routes. Drops went down in 2025, but they were big issues the previous three seasons. You can't help but see the correlation between the average death of target also going down. The chances down the field went down, and so did the drops, but when he was more of a down the field player, the drops were there. I think that's something to be mindful of. I think with this type of profile, you wish that he had return experience. He screams guy that should be good in the return game and he just didn't get that chance to do it at UConn. I think that would really elevate his overall profile. Go to KC Concepcion, that guy is an exceptional punt returner. I wish there was more of a return profile to go with this overall player.
The NFL Draft will be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
It wouldn't be a Bills draft preview if we didn't talk a look at the top wide receiver prospects.
It wouldn't be a Bills draft preview if we didn't talk a look at the top wide receiver prospects.
