The Buffalo Bills invested a fourth-round draft pick on wide receiver Skyler Bell last week, and the rookie could already be a threat to a veteran above him on the depth chart.
The Bills leaned more heavily on defense in this year’s draft, but did invest a Day 3 pick into boosting the offense with the Connecticut rookie. Sal Maiorana of the Democrat & Chronicle predicted that Bell could pose a real threat to third-year receiver Keon Coleman, whose spot on the depth chart — and on the team — had been on shaky ground.
Skyler Bell Could Click With Josh Allen
Maiorana noted that Coleman had the third-most pass play snaps last season, but saw Joshua Palmer surpass him at the conclusion of the year.
“Palmer had 256 snaps despite missing seven games and being limited in several others, and what was telling is that there were four games after Palmer returned from his Week 6 ankle injury where even though he still wasnât 100%, he was active and Coleman was a healthy scratch,” Maiorana wrote.
Maiorana added that Coleman will now have to contend with Bell, who is seen as a strong fit with Josh Allen and could work his way into Coleman’s spot on the depth chart.
“Unless something changes, Coleman is going to battle for the No. 4 spot in the rotation, and the only real threat right now would seem to be Bell,” Maiorana wrote. “As ESPNâs Mel Kiper said after the pick was made Saturday, ‘Josh Allen is going to love Skyler Bell’ so if he can seamlessly make the transition to the NFL, Coleman could be in trouble no matter how much love Beane and Brady have showered him with.”
Maiorana added that Bell earned praise from Bills general manager Brandon Beane, who said the team scouted him extensively before landing him in the fourth round.
âHeâs a guy that we think can play inside, can play outside, has enough speed, good with contested catches, you saw some run after catch with him,” Beane said. “If you just want to watch his highlight tape, go watch the Syracuse game; they just kept throwing him the ball. Itâs competition.â
Bills Got a Steal With Skyler Bell
Bell was a highly regarded receiver coming out of college, with NFL.com’s profile noting that he had the potential to grow into a plus-starter — making him great value for the fourth round. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted that he showed a good mix of speed and skills in college.
“Bell is an inside/outside target with adequate size and field-stretching speed,” Zierlein wrote. “He has the tools to beat press quickly and the acceleration/cut quickness to open clean windows. While heâs sudden in and out of his break points, his route-running can be a tad mechanical at times. Bellâs catch focus appeared sharper in 2025 but his career drop total rivals his touchdown total. The TDs left on the field due to underthrown passes at UConn will turn into NFL touchdowns with an accurate passer. Bellâs speed and upside should make him a productive starter.”
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Rookie Bills WR Predicted to Steal Veteran’s Spot on the Depth Chart appeared first on HEAVY.