Saints Eyeing Tyler Shough's Louisville Teammate in 2026 NFL Draft

New Orleans could target wide receiver Chris Bell after No. 8 overall pick.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:12pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football game or match, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the vibrant colors of the Saints and Cardinals teams, capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.The Saints' potential reunion with Tyler Shough's former Louisville teammate Chris Bell could reshape their receiving corps in a cubist, geometric style.New Orleans Today

The New Orleans Saints are looking to address key positions in the 2026 NFL Draft, including wide receiver. While they may take a top WR prospect with the No. 8 overall pick, ESPN's Katherine Terrell reports the Saints could target Tyler Shough's former Louisville teammate, Chris Bell, later in the draft if they pass on a receiver early.

Why it matters

The Saints are hoping Tyler Shough can be their franchise quarterback, and adding one of his former college teammates in Chris Bell could help bolster their receiving corps and provide Shough with a familiar target.

The details

Last season, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Bell caught 72 passes for 917 yards and 6 touchdowns for Louisville. The year prior, with Shough as his QB, Bell had 43 receptions for 737 yards and 4 scores. Bell is coming off a torn ACL, which could allow the Saints to potentially land him in the second round as a draft steal if they pass on a receiver at No. 8.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April.
  • Last season, Chris Bell played for the Louisville Cardinals.

The players

Tyler Shough

The quarterback for the New Orleans Saints who played with Chris Bell at Louisville.

Chris Bell

A wide receiver prospect from Louisville who is expected to be targeted by the Saints in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Katherine Terrell

An ESPN reporter who linked the Saints to Chris Bell as a potential draft target.

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What they’re saying

“But if the Saints choose to take a WR later in the draft instead, second-year QB Tyler Shough already has made his case for Chris Bell, Shough's former Louisville teammate.”

— Katherine Terrell, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

The Saints will have the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, where they could target a top wide receiver prospect. If they pass on a receiver there, they may look to reunite Tyler Shough with his former Louisville teammate Chris Bell later in the draft.

The takeaway

The Saints are building around Tyler Shough as their quarterback of the future, and adding one of his former college teammates in Chris Bell could be a smart move to help bolster their receiving corps and provide Shough with a familiar target.