Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics
Chris Bell Selected in the Third Round by the Miami Dolphins
April 24, 2026 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins on Friday night.
Bell was the 94th overall pick in the draft, marking the highest selection at the wide receiving position for the Cards since the 2021 season when Tutu Atwell was picked with the 57th selection of the second round by the Los Angeles Rams. Bell is the 11th UofL wide receiver to be selected in the NFL Draft.
The Yazoo City, Miss., product is the seventh Louisville draft pick to be selected by the Dolphins all-time and the 18th Cardinal to be chosen in the third round. He also becomes Louisville's first wide receiver taken since Jamari Thrash went in the fifth round to the Cleveland Browns in 2024.
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Louisville has now had at least one player taken at the prestigious event in fourth consecutive seasons. Additionally, Bell becomes the eighth NFL Draft pick under current Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm.
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Bell cemented himself as one of the most physical playmakers in college football, earning first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors last season. Bell delivered an efficient season in 2025, recording a career best 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound wideout recorded three 100-yard receiving games last year, including a career best 12-catch, 170-yard performance in an overtime loss to Virginia.
Despite playing in only 11 games, Bell finished fourth in the ACC in receptions with 72, and sixth in yards (917) and touchdowns (6). Nationally, Bell was 16th in the country in receptions and 38th in yards.
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Appearing in 47 career games, Bell finished his tenure with the Cardinals recording 151 catches for 2,166 yards and 12 touchdowns, while averaging 143 yards per reception. Bell registered five 100-yard receiving games during his career.
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Bell was the 94th overall pick in the draft, marking the highest selection at the wide receiving position for the Cards since the 2021 season when Tutu Atwell was picked with the 57th selection of the second round by the Los Angeles Rams. Bell is the 11th UofL wide receiver to be selected in the NFL Draft.
The Yazoo City, Miss., product is the seventh Louisville draft pick to be selected by the Dolphins all-time and the 18th Cardinal to be chosen in the third round. He also becomes Louisville's first wide receiver taken since Jamari Thrash went in the fifth round to the Cleveland Browns in 2024.
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Louisville has now had at least one player taken at the prestigious event in fourth consecutive seasons. Additionally, Bell becomes the eighth NFL Draft pick under current Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm.
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Bell cemented himself as one of the most physical playmakers in college football, earning first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors last season. Bell delivered an efficient season in 2025, recording a career best 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound wideout recorded three 100-yard receiving games last year, including a career best 12-catch, 170-yard performance in an overtime loss to Virginia.
Despite playing in only 11 games, Bell finished fourth in the ACC in receptions with 72, and sixth in yards (917) and touchdowns (6). Nationally, Bell was 16th in the country in receptions and 38th in yards.
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Appearing in 47 career games, Bell finished his tenure with the Cardinals recording 151 catches for 2,166 yards and 12 touchdowns, while averaging 143 yards per reception. Bell registered five 100-yard receiving games during his career.
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Players Mentioned
WR
/ FootballDeion Branch (4/15/26)
Wednesday, April 15
Lawayne McCoy and Treyshun Hurry (4/15/26)
Wednesday, April 15
Jeff Brohm Media Availability (4/9/26)
Thursday, April 09
Eyrx Daugherty (4/8/26)
Wednesday, April 08
