Will Skyler Bell be "Red-Shirted"?

[Maine-iac]

2 hours ago, NewEra said:

Weird argument?  lol.  What was I arguing?  
 

I stand on what I said.  He needs to improve his ball tracking to be an effective outside WR.  I don’t think there’s anything weird about that.  His contested catch opportunity vs the Steelers was another example of that.  
 

Sure, we can and probably will get him snaps on the outside and he’s capable of making plays from 1-15 yards or be schemed open.  He’s smooth.  I just think he’s currently limited in terms of what teams want out of a boundary WR.  Making plays downfield. 
 

In time, I think he will improve as he gets stronger, but I don’t think he’s a good outside option atm.  I never said he was slot only, his current skillset is better suited for the slot in the nfl.  
 

Feel free to disagree, but what I said is far from weird.  

 

 

This is going to sound like arguing but I'm just throwing it out there.  The guy averaged over 17 yards a catch on 50 catches over a college season.  I think he can catch a deep ball.  I don't think he's going to Moss anyone like Brown or PIckens but I'd take my chances that he can catch a deep pass as well as Cooks and we were trotting Cooks out there all through the playoffs.  I don't see him starting the season but the off chance someone gets nicked up and he gets hot filling in I can't believe that Brady is married to anyone at WR after Moore and Shakir.

Edited September 2 by Maine-iac

[NewEra]

8 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

This is going to sound like arguing but I'm just throwing it out there.  The guy averaged over 17 yards a catch on 50 catches over a college season.  I think he can catch a deep ball.  I don't think he's going to Moss anyone like Brown or PIckens but I'd take my chances that he can catch a deep pass as well as Cooks and we were trotting Cooks out there all through the playoffs.  I don't see him starting the season but the off chance someone gets nicked up and he gets hot filling in I can't believe that Brady is married to anyone at WR after Moore and Shakir.

I think his playing time will be determined by Keon and Palmer.  If they repeat last years performances, Bell will play.  If they improve and become viable playmakers, I don’t think Bell will see too much.  
 

I think he’s going to be a very good player for us and help us win a bunch of games.  I just have very tempered expectations for him for the first half of this season.  

[GASabresIUFan]

6 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I think his playing time will be determined by Keon and Palmer.  If they repeat last years performances, Bell will play.  If they improve and become viable playmakers, I don’t think Bell will see too much.  
 

I think he’s going to be a very good player for us and help us win a bunch of games.  I just have very tempered expectations for him for the first half of this season.  

There will be injuries in the WR room. There are every year and those injuries will be Bell’s opportunity (assuming he’s healthy).  He could run (figuratively and literally) with the opportunity and quickly make Palmer expendable.

[Mr. WEO]

25 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I think his playing time will be determined by Keon and Palmer.  If they repeat last years performances, Bell will play.  If they improve and become viable playmakers, I don’t think Bell will see too much.  
 

I think he’s going to be a very good player for us and help us win a bunch of games.  I just have very tempered expectations for him for the first half of this season.  

 

"If"?

 

Palmer and Keon are straight up bums.  

[NewEra]

21 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

"If"?

 

Palmer and Keon are straight up bums.  

Eh, I don’t feel the same.  Palmer is a good route runner.  Keon, who the * knows?  If I had to bet, I’d bet against him, but it’s not inconceivable that he improves to the point where he’s better than Skyler Bell this season.  
 

But like @GASabresIUFan said, someone is gonna get injured and Bell will get a chance at some point.  I think he can contribute nicely if used to his skillset.  Would love for him to take off and become the WR3 behind Moore and Shakir.  It’s possible. 

[warrior9]

On 9/2/2026 at 1:40 PM, NewEra said:

Weird argument?  lol.  What was I arguing?  
 

I stand on what I said.  He needs to improve his ball tracking to be an effective outside WR.  I don’t think there’s anything weird about that.  His contested catch opportunity vs the Steelers was another example of that.  
 

Sure, we can and probably will get him snaps on the outside and he’s capable of making plays from 1-15 yards or be schemed open.  He’s smooth.  I just think he’s currently limited in terms of what teams want out of a boundary WR.  Making plays downfield. 
 

In time, I think he will improve as he gets stronger, but I don’t think he’s a good outside option atm.  I never said he was slot only, his current skillset is better suited for the slot in the nfl.  
 

Feel free to disagree, but what I said is far from weird.  

 

 

It was weird to use his college as a point in your take as if that matters. 

 

Edit: Bold and Italic.. based on what? He played 1 pre season game and he was quick, ran good routes, broke tackles, etc.

Edited September 3 by warrior9

[NewEra]

3 hours ago, warrior9 said:

It was weird to use his college as a point in your take as if that matters. 

 

Edit: Bold and Italic.. based on what? He played 1 pre season game and he was quick, ran good routes, broke tackles, etc.

Based on height, weight, strength, wingspan.  He lets the ball get up on him quickly and can settle for body catches (which isn’t really a thing on the outside).  Early on, I think he’ll be a target to be pressed until he gets stronger.  
 

I just think he needs to develop a bit more before he can be a good boundary WR.  I think he can play out there, I just don’t know how good he’ll be.  Many analysts project him as a slot.  I think he can work his way to being a good outside guy, I just think he’s a year away from being “good” out there.

 

jmo, I’m no pro scout, but that’s how I see it.  I’d love to be wrong and I’m praying for him to be able to do damage all over the field asap 🙏  

 

I really like his interviews.  Seems mature and very disciplined

Edited September 4 by NewEra

[Pecker]

My view: He won’t play much until he can block. 

[Thrivefourfive]

With how the field has opened up, Bell can contribute right away. I’m predicting his debut will be a pleasant surprise. 

[NickelCity]

On 9/3/2026 at 7:12 PM, ***** said:

My view: He won’t play much until he can block. 

 

I agree. He was a fairly willing and engaged blocker in college wasn't he? Might be remembering wrong.

[ganesh]

On 9/3/2026 at 3:29 AM, GASabresIUFan said:

There will be injuries in the WR room. There are every year and those injuries will be Bell’s opportunity (assuming he’s healthy).  He could run (figuratively and literally) with the opportunity and quickly make Palmer expendable.

How can Coleman get injured if he can't see the playing field

[ddaryl]

4 hours ago, ganesh said:

How can Coleman get injured if he can't see the playing field

 

As they say,  your best ability is availability...😆🤪🤔😑

[BillsFooteball]

I would love to see them give Bell a start and make Coleman inactive but I just don’t see Brady doing it this early. Unfortunately, it will likely take an injury (any of the WRS) to see Bell on the field 

[dollars 2 donuts]

1 hour ago, BillsFooteball said:

I would love to see them give Bell a start and make Coleman inactive but I just don’t see Brady doing it this early. Unfortunately, it will likely take an injury (any of the WRS) to see Bell on the field 

 

I hear you, BF, but ya know what: he’s there.  Man, I am still just really glad he is there and he will be ready when needed because it invariably happens regardless of when a “change” is made.

 

 

Edited September 17 by dollars 2 donuts

[Admiral Sean]

29 minutes ago, BillsFooteball said:

I would love to see them give Bell a start and make Coleman inactive but I just don’t see Brady doing it this early. Unfortunately, it will likely take an injury (any of the WRS) to see Bell on the field 

They don’t have to make Coleman inactive though they could. They dressed 4 tight ends against Houston.

[machine gun kelly]

26 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

 

I hear you, BF, but ya know what: here’s there.  Man, I am still just really glad he is there and he will be ready when needed because it invariably happens regardless of when a “change” is made.

 

 

I saw you posted this morning so thought I’d hear what a friend had to write.  Bell will undoubtedly make the field as either Coleman or Palmer will inevitably get hurt.  It makes sense they let him develop and create synergy with Josh in practice.  He has the skills and as he mentioned this summer it was the first time he was injured and missed practice time of any substance his whole young football career.  He referenced all the way back to pewee football.

 

If memory serves, Shakir only had limited time his rookie season, around 200 yards.  He then ascended to 600, 800, 721 yards the next three years, and had 50 yards in his first game against that vaunted Texans defense.  That puts Shakir roughly at 850 yards projected this year.  That’s basically on point for a slot WR.  I’d like to see him escalate to breaking 1000 yards, and we will have much easier defenses for most of the year.

 

I can see a solid rookie year if Bell develops to 400-500 yards this year.  I’ve said over and over I have zero faith in Coleman or Palmer.  I do understand Brady wants to stick with these guys for now while he marinates Bell’s skills.  It seems like a reasonable plan.

 

Why red shirt a valuable player that can develop good habits.  He’ll grown in his pass blocking skills just like Kincaid has at least not been a liability in pass protection.

[Spiderweb]

On 9/2/2026 at 6:15 PM, Mr. WEO said:

 

"If"?

 

Palmer and Keon are straight up bums.  

Disagree on Palmer....

[dollars 2 donuts]

1 hour ago, machine gun kelly said:

I saw you posted this morning so thought I’d hear what a friend had to write.  Bell will undoubtedly make the field as either Coleman or Palmer will inevitably get hurt.  It makes sense they let him develop and create synergy with Josh in practice.  He has the skills and as he mentioned this summer it was the first time he was injured and missed practice time of any substance his whole young football career.  He referenced all the way back to pewee football.

 

If memory serves, Shakir only had limited time his rookie season, around 200 yards.  He then ascended to 600, 800, 721 yards the next three years, and had 50 yards in his first game against that vaunted Texans defense.  That puts Shakir roughly at 850 yards projected this year.  That’s basically on point for a slot WR.  I’d like to see him escalate to breaking 1000 yards, and we will have much easier defenses for most of the year.

 

I can see a solid rookie year if Bell develops to 400-500 yards this year.  I’ve said over and over I have zero faith in Coleman or Palmer.  I do understand Brady wants to stick with these guys for now while he marinates Bell’s skills.  It seems like a reasonable plan.

 

Why red shirt a valuable player that can develop good habits.  He’ll grown in his pass blocking skills just like Kincaid has at least not been a liability in pass protection.

 

Guns, my friend, solid as usual. 
 

I just think that the availability is so important.  I don’t need him as a starter.  I just need him ready and if he ends the year with 24-32 grabs, hell, I’ll love it as it will likely be later on. 
 

Edited September 17 by dollars 2 donuts

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, Spiderweb said:

Disagree on Palmer....

 

He was worse than Coleman last year.  He's brought nothing to the Bills.

[Rupert]

9 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

He was worse than Coleman last year.  He's brought nothing to the Bills.

Winning TD in opening game??