Every NFL fan hopes their team can draft a receiver who can change the dynamic of the offense. Teams need guys who can just make plays, and the 2026 draft class has a ton of them. While this class may not be as strong overall as in years past, one position group with depth is the receivers.

Here are my top-10 wide receivers in the 2026 NFL draft.

1. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

If you just watch Tyson’s tape and don’t factor in the injuries, I firmly believe he’d be the majority of people’s first-ranked receiver in this class. The reality is that Tyson has suffered injuries and hasn’t played a full college football season.

A devastating knee injury, a broken collarbone and a lingering hamstring are all but enough to have people lower you as a prospect.

I just can’t get his clean tape out of my head when making my rankings. He has a good size at 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds. He can do everything you’d ask out of a first-round receiver. Play inside out, push the field vertically, run blocks and simply be a playmaker.

Two traits stood out to me when watching Tyson, and they were his IQ for defensive coverage and body control. He understands soft spots in zones, as evident on tape, and his ability to go up and make plays on the football is outstanding.

2. Carnell Tate, Ohio State​

Tate is a lengthy receiver on the outside that offers true No. 1 receiver upside in any offense. He does his damage in the intermediate to deeper parts of the field and can push vertically with ease due to his longer strides.

He has strong hands and can high-point a ball with ease. Quick feet to make subtle cuts or stutter steps while maintaining top speed; can run every route in the book, and his elite ball tracking helps him high-point passes.

There aren’t many weaknesses to Tate’s game, and while I don’t view him as a “blue-chip” wide receiver prospect, there is still a ton to love within his game. One negative I saw was his struggles against press coverage.

3. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

The YAC king ranks third on my list, and after watching Cooper, I fell in love with his ability after the catch. Forced 27 missed tackles in 2025 and offers the versatility to line up on the inside or outside of any offense. He’s not just a screen merchant; Cooper has elite releases off the ball. Very quick feet off the line let him win on routes within the first second of a play.

Good speed pushing vertically, as he ran a 4.42 at the NFL combine, really shows that speed on post routes and after the catch. Is a smart route runner as well, knowing to attack the outside shoulder of defensive backs on inside-breaking routes to win the leverage battle.

4. Makai Lemon, USC

​Lemon is a smaller build who primarily played in the slot for USC. He’s a bona fide playmaker who can make guys miss in open space or in tight areas – he just needs the ball in his hands. You couldn’t tell he’s 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds with the way he attacks the middle of the field; he is absolutely fearless.​

He ran a 4.5 40 at the USC pro day, but like Tate, who ran a 4.53 at the combine, it shouldn’t change how you view him as a player. Lemon isn’t known for his speed; it’s the production and playmaking ability that sets him apart.

Can really high-point balls well all over the field, relies more on his speed and positioning to get open rather than true route running ability.

5. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

The second-best route runner in the class for me, behind Tyson. Concepcion’s tape was clean and beautiful to watch as he ran routes. Very smart player who understands how to manipulate the leverage of defenders and explode out of his routes. He has very violent cuts and consistently creates separation.

Great speed while pushing down the field and can run any routes. Can make guys miss after the catch and can be used as a gadget type of receiver when asked to. A versatile guy can line up on the outside or the inside of the formation.

Struggled to catch the ball, recording seven drops this past season.

​6. Denzel Boston, Washington

Boston feels like he’s getting underrated at the point in the draft process. There doesn’t seem to be that much hype surrounding the 6-foot-4 receiver, but I’m still a Boston believer.

Great frame, and he isn’t scared to use it. Fights well throughout contact and can go up and get a ball. Very strong hands to make catches in the air and while on the move. Doesn’t have elite agility as a receiver, but flashes good feet on his releases and ability to weave through traffic in routes.

Versatile as well, even with his big frame, Washington lined him up everywhere throughout the offense. Uses his body well to shield off defenders while making catches. Boston enters the league with an immediate upside as a wide receiver.  

​7. Chris Bell, Louisville

Bell suffered a torn ACL late in the 2025 season, which is the main reason he won’t be taken in the first round in the draft, but as a pure talent, he likely would’ve gone.

Another receiver with a good frame is 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds. Bell’s ability to move the way he can at 222 pounds is flat-out amazing. Can catch the ball and turn upfield, accelerating seamlessly. He uses his frame well to catch back shoulder throws, boxing out defenders in the process, and can be used more in the NFL as a threat down the seasons and in the middle of the field with his size.

He struggled to really create separation with pure agility and didn’t show much hip sink in his routes to explode out of. Still has the upside to be considered an early Day 2 pick.​

8. Germie Bernard, Alabama

There are so many quality receivers on Day 2, and Bernard is another guy who will be ranked eighth, but someone who I’m very high on. His tape won’t wow you with top-end speed or crazy vertical catches, but he’s a consistent weapon who can be used in different ways and likely will be a Z receiver at the NFL level.

Fluid and quick movements within his route, no wasted movements in any route he ran. Clean footwork in his dig routes, just cuts and doesn’t do anything flashy. Understands coverages and knows where the gaps are in zone coverages. Can run every route, very fluid running, shorter outs, and has an underrated YAC ability. Felt like when he had the ball in his hands, he could make guys miss.

9. Skyler Bell, UConn

Bell is used to a heavy workload, as he was targeted 141 times, catching 102 for 1,282 yards. UConn used him like a wide receiver, and he took on the challenge and thrived.

Don’t be concerned about him coming out of UConn; he showed out playing Duke, having multiple good reps against another draft prospect in Duke corner Chandler Rivers. Bell can do everything asked of him. He’s a threat on immediate screens, having the speed to beat guys to angles, and he can push down the field with his quick footwork on routes. Doesn’t have hip sink or truly explode out of his breaks; it’s all within his quick feet. 

Expect Bell to go on Day 2, and likely be used as more of a slot/Z receiver in the NFL.  

10. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

​Brazzell’s build is why some people may be higher on him than I am; he’s 6-foot-4 and 198 pounds, and ran a 4.37 40 at the combine. He’s a lengthy receiver who just strides down the field with ease, just running by defenders.

It’s hard not to look at the helmet when scouting Brazzell because we all know Tennessee receivers usually don’t work out in the NFL, but Brazzell is different. A true route runner who is smart, can sink his hips at the top of breaks, and understands defenders’ leverages to win himself reps down the field.

He just didn’t show as much versatility in terms of where he lined up, which is the one reason he comes in at 10, but the upside Brazzell has is there, and a team should take a swing on him mid Day 2.

Player outside looking in

11. Antonio Williams, Clemson

Williams just missed the mark, but like Lemon, he’s another smaller receiver who thrives in the slot. Didn’t have the season many anticipated, but he’s a violent route runner and explodes out of the top of his breaks. Has playmaking ability and can be used in short-yardage situations by just getting the ball in his hands.

Very strong release and can win against press coverage with ease. Adjusts to the ball well in the air and has good hands, not strong hands. Gives effort in run blocking as well.

​Make sure to check out the latest episode of the DraftCast with Tony Pauline for the latest news and notes surrounding the draft.