Dolphins WR Chris Bell motivated by draft slide

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Chris Bell of the Louisville Cardinals speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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.“