ESPN analyst says this Day 2 receiver is a perfect fit for 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have three picks on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft after trading out of the first round Thursday night. The 49ers pick at Nos. 33, 58 and 90, with the opportunity to add a few solid additions to the roster ahead of the season.

But before Day 2 kicks off, ESPN's Ben Solak lined up some perfect fits for players who're still available in the second and third rounds. For the 49ers, Solak picked Louisville receiver Chris Bell, who could be drafted at No. 58.

Bell would be such a fun fit. If you squint, you see A.J. Brown: 6-foot-2, 222 pounds and absolutely ripped with a wicked first step and even more impressive long speed when the gates open. Bell had 917 yards on 72 receptions before tearing his ACL in November 2025. Among receivers with at least 100 targets, he was 13th in yards per route run, just between KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) and Malachi Toney (Miami). This is a potential WR1 with the explosiveness and tackle-breaking toughness to turn easy completions into massive gains.

Bell can get some Deebo Samuel-esque usage for the 49ers as a rookie while he returns to form, then expand into a bigger role in 2027.

Apart from the schematic fit, the 49ers need to find a long-term plan at receiver. Mike Evans is aging and on a short-term deal, Christian Kirk is on a one-year deal and Ricky Pearsall is heading into his third year on the team. That's the extent of the 49ers' receiver room of viable starters.