The Miami Dolphins went into the 2026 NFL Draft with a serious need for a wide receiver (or two… or three) after parting ways with both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle this offseason. The team selected Caleb Douglas out of Texas Tech with their first third round draft pick, but doubled down at the position by taking Chris Bell out of Louisville with their final pick in the third round.
Bell tore his ACL in late November last year, but prior to the injury, the big-bodied receiver was projected by some to be a first-round pick in the upcoming selection process. However, because of his injury, 17 other wide receivers were taken ahead of Bell in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He plans to use that fact as motivation.
“[The injury] had me frustrated [during the draft], just knowing that I was better than some of the guys that went off the board [ahead of me]… I’m just blessed to be in a good position… I’ve been having this [draft eligible receivers] ranking on the front of my home screen since this pre-draft started. It’s going to be on my mind. I’m going to write that on my mirror and every day I wake up, I’m going to tell myself, this is how many guys they took before you. This is how long it took you to get drafted. I’m going to show everybody — prove to everybody — like I said, I am who I say I am.“
When asked how his recovery from surgery is going, Bell provided an encouraging update to Dolphins fans.
“It’s coming along pretty well. I’m four and a half months out of surgery right now. You know, just trying to keep pushing and getting stronger so that I can be prepared for this upcoming season.”
For Bell’s entire post-draft media session, watch the video below.