{"id":857653,"date":"2026-04-06T22:23:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T22:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857653\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T22:23:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T22:23:28","slug":"tyler-shoughs-excitement-over-potential-saints-draft-target-could-end-up-backfiring-on-him-and-new-orleans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/857653\/","title":{"rendered":"Tyler Shough\u2019s excitement over potential Saints draft target could end up backfiring on him and New Orleans"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New Orleans Saints would probably love to draft a particular WR prospect in this year\u2019s class. Is Tyler Shough actually making that more difficult by being too positive about him?<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSep 7, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Chris Bell (0) catches a pass against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the second half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Louisville defeated Jacksonville State 49-14. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Wide receiver is still a clear need for the New Orleans Saints offense under Kellen Moore. Chris Olave had his best season as a pro in 2025, but they could still use a clear-cut WR2 option behind him. <\/p>\n

May the best fit actually be someone that quarterback Tyler Shough is already very familiar with? That is a possibility given value and needs along the entire Saints roster. <\/p>\n

Tyler Shough is not keeping Louisville WR Chris Bell a secret for the Saints<\/p>\n

The Saints young quarterback has not kept a low profile when it comes to his former teammate in Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell. Bell was often mocked as a first-round pick early in the college football season. A season-ending injury has now pushed him closer to the early day two range in this class. <\/p>\n

Even with that, Shough has not stopped giving hints to nearly everyone that he would love to play with Bell again after they were teammates at Louisville. <\/p>\n

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork<\/a>: Two #Saints<\/a> standouts \u2014 Tyler Shough and Taliese Fuaga \u2014 joined us from The Seine in Paris (really) to discuss their upcoming game from Paris, New Orleans’ wild offseason, and a certain WR prospect Shough said his team needs. pic.twitter.com\/qBGU6yL2y7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Chris Bell\u2019s own push to land in New Orleans<\/p>\n

Bell has not shied away from praising the Saints and discussing them as a landing spot during the draft, either. In fact, he\u2019s only further facilitated<\/a> the idea of it when asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMan it would be great, man. I\u2019ve been talking to Tyler Shough since this process started,\u201d\u00a0Bell told Arye Pulli for Saints on SI<\/a>. \u201cHe said he\u2019s been telling the Saints about me, he hope they get me. He said they need somebody like me so it would be great to reunite with Tyler Shough.\u201d \u2014\u00a0USA TODAY<\/a><\/p>\n

I asked Chris Bell if he’s been in contact with some of his former UofL teammates, that are now in the NFL. <\/p>\n

He shared an anecdote about meeting up with Tyler Shough and Quincy Riley in New Orleans. That’s when Shough told him, he would love Bell to be drafted by the Saints. pic.twitter.com\/mOUqpepIWj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sarandon Raboin (@sarandon_raboin) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPlayer comps are a difficult thing in this space. They are meant to give fans a semblance of what the player is on the field. Sometimes, they are way off base, but comparing Bell to Brown makes all the sense. They play the game in the same way, have similar frames and skill sets. Bell is likely to fall around the 50th pick, just like Brown was (51st overall) when the Tennessee Titans selected him. If you want to utilize a player who is a carbon copy of Brown from a playstyle standpoint, Bell is your guy.\u201d \u2014 Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports<\/a><\/p>\n

New Orleans will have plenty of teams between the end of the first round into the middle of the second round who have Bell on their radar. It could be a case where they are forced to move up for him if he is truly their guy. <\/p>\n

No matter what \u2013 neither the Saints QB or the young WR prospect are doing them any favors when it comes to having him fall to them at the 42nd overall pick. <\/p>\n

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New Orleans Saints News<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a big-time talent, but there is risk involved.<\/p>\n