Skyler Bell wasn’t going to be denied.
The UConn wide receiver was among three wideouts to the left of the formation. Facing a third-and-4 on the opposing 38-yard line, the Huskies were up 31-23 with less than six minutes remaining at Boston College last season.
Bell ran a quick slant as his teammates blocked for him. He gained leverage quickly, giving quarterback Joe Fagnano an easy target. The Boston College defender tasked with guarding him couldn’t get in the way of the ensuing pass.
Nor could he bring Bell down after the ball was caught. Bell broke free from a tackle and scampered down the left sideline. He outraced everyone to the pylon for a touchdown, bolstering UConn’s lead it would never relinquish.
Bell caught 10 passes for 125 yards and the TD against Boston College. He was arguably the best wide receiver in the Group of Six last season, and that contest was one of many examples where he proved he has the talent of a pro wideout.
Where Did Skyler Bell Go In The NFL Draft?
Bell went to the Buffalo Bills with the 125th overall pick, in the fourth round, of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Skyler Bell’s 40 Time & NFL Combine Results
Bell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds, which ranked 12th out of 34 wide receivers who participated in that drill at the NFL Combine. He also recorded a broad jump of 11 feet, 1 inch, which was third among 25 wideouts, and a vertical jump of 41 inches, which was fifth among 30 at his position group.
Bell was measured at 6-foot and 192 pounds at the NFL Combine.
Skyler Bell Stats & Highlights
Bell was a Biletnikoff Award finalist and a HERO Sports Group of Five All-American in 2025.
Bell was fantastic in his two years at UConn. He caught 50 passes for 860 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. This past season, he tallied 1,191 yards and 11 TDs on 90 catches.
That was after he transferred from Wisconsin. He redshirted in 2021, and then in 2022 he recorded 444 yards and five touchdowns on 30 receptions. As a sophomore in 2023, he hauled in 38 catches for 296 yards and a TD.
Where Is Skyler Bell From?
Bell is from the Bronx, New York, and went to The Taft School before beginning his collegiate career. He went to Wisconsin before playing for UConn.
Skyler Bell NFL Draft Comparison & Profile
My NFL comparison for Bell is Chris Olave of the Saints. Both are well-rounded receivers who can find myriad ways to get open.
Bell has crisp technique on his routes and knows how to find open areas on the field. In Pro Football Focus’ grades for wide receivers who were targeted at least 78 times, Bell was top 10 in the FBS for receiving and 16th for overall offense.
Bell excels when the ball is in his hands. He showcases excellent vision and knows how to leverage blockers to his advantage. He was second in the country last season with 835 yards after catch behind only Malachi Toney of Miami. Bell was also tied for fourth with 8.2 yards after catch per reception and with 3.13 yards per route run, so he consistently gained extra yards.
Bell also has great hands. He only needed one hand to haul in several passes in 2025, a season in which he dropped just four throws. He was 24th in the FBS last season with a 72.3% reception rate and was 30th with a drop rate of 3.8%.
But Bell is also capable of bringing down 50/50 balls. He’s crafty when the ball is in the air. He can jump over defenders and attack the ball that way, or he can use his footwork to fool defenders who have their heads turned to the ball to create opportunities. He tied for 16th in the nation with 13 contested catches in 2025 and was 14th with a contested catch rate of 65%.
Bell was a top-10 receiver in the nation by many metrics. He can play in a variety of roles. It would surprise me if he doesn’t make an impact with the Bills as a rookie.
