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DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 17: Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills scores a 10 yard touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Empower Field At Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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.
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 wasn’t 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 ESPN’s 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.
“He’s 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. It’s competition.”
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 he’s sudden in and out of his break points, his route-running can be a tad mechanical at times. Bell’s 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. Bell’s speed and upside should make him a productive starter.”
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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