Draft Coverage

'I'm explosive, versatile' | 3 things to know about Bills NFL Draft pick WR Skyler Bell

Apr 25, 2026 at 02:35 PM

Seasonal writing associate

The Buffalo Bills selected wide receiver Skyler Bell No. 125 overall in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He was their second player drafted on the offensive side of the ball after taking offensive lineman Jude Bowry at No. 102.

Here are three things to know about the Bills' addition to their wide receiver room:

1. Bell is a big-time producer

In 2025, the wide receiver was a Biletnikoff Award Finalist, which is awarded to the most outstanding receiver in college football.

Bell led all FBS teams this past season in 100-yard receiving games with seven and also made UConn history. He led the Huskies with 101 receptions, 1,278 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns during the 2025 season. His catches and touchdowns set single-season records. This earned him All-American status and Bell became the first consensus selection in program history.

"I'm dynamic; I'm explosive, versatile. I [can] do a lot of different things inside, outside, deep ball, contested catches, intermediate catches," Bell said.

Bell said he's ready to add to Buffalo's wide receiver room with his versatility and fit into whatever role head coach Joe Brady and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael have in mind for him.

We're live with Skyler Bell after being selected at 125.

2026 NFL Draft on ESPN/NFLN/ABC https://t.co/ocsMtFZZYf
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 25, 2026

2. He's ready for reunions on both sides of the ball

Bell is familiar with Buffalo's recent history of drafting UConn athletes, such as former offensive lineman Ryan Van Demark and current offensive tackle Chase Lundt. Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Bell talked with Lundt about the pre-draft process.

"He was wishing me good luck and [said] everything's going to take care of itself, but nothing too crazy," Bell recalled Lundt's advice. "I'm just glad I'm going to play with [Lundt] again. Super cool, man. He's a great teammate, great person, great player."

The wide receiver also has a brief history with defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Leonhard was Wisconsin's defensive coordinator from 2017-2022 and overlapped with Bell in 2021 and 2022. Bell remembered his redshirt freshman year, specifically, and how he and Leonhard developed a bond.

"I was doing a lot of scout team stuff, and he was our DC, so I was running the routes against his defense," Bell said. "Sometimes I [went] up to his office and we watched the tape. He [was] trying to get me better. He's telling me things to work on that I could be better [at, and for] his defense to get them better. It's just a revolving door, a little bit of everybody making each other better.

"So, I think his knowledge of the game and his ability just to help me, even from the defensive side of the ball was huge for me."

Bell credited part of his development to Leonhard and is excited to get to Buffalo and give him "the craziest hug ever" when he sees him.