2026 NFL Draft rankings: Jordyn Tyson leads best WR prospects
2026 NFL Draft rankings: Jordyn Tyson leads best WR prospects
Jack McKessy and Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYSun, April 19, 2026 at 10:02 AM UTC
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Quarterbacks steal most of the attention, but at the end of the day, they all need teammates to throw to.
The 2026 NFL Draft approaches, and wide receivers are expected to be among the most well-represented in the annual selection show as a premium position.
Wideout is also projected to be one of the most popular positions picked in the first round specifically. A handful of wide receivers have received first-round grades, like Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State's Carnell Tate. USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis had five receivers come off the board in the first round in his latest mock draft.
The depth of wide receiver talent in this year's class is notable as well, with dozens of players outside of the projected first-rounders worthy of selection in the 2026 draft.
USA TODAY Sports has compiled a list of the top wide receiver prospects in this year's draft and ranked them ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's how they stack up on draft expert Ayrton Ostly's big board:
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1 / 0Ranking top 25 prospects for 2026 NFL Draft -
Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio StateOn a defense already dotted with stars, Reese rose from an occasional contributor to a bona fide star in his first full season as a starter. The 6-4, 241-pound linebacker exhibited uncommon fluidity for a player of his size, finding equal comfort dropping back in coverage as bullying his way into the backfield. His pass-rush plan is still rather rudimentary at the moment, but he has the toolkit of a double-digit sack artist. In a league where defenses are constantly taxed against the pass and run, Reese displays a unique aptitude for detonating whatever play an offense might throw at him.
2026 NFL Draft: Ranking top WR prospects1. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Scouting report: Tyson's been the top wide receiver prospect all season despite other risers at the position, thanks to his elite route-running for his age. His suddenness, paired with that route-running, creates separation at will. He lacks elite vertical speed but has the ball skills, alignment versatility and playmaking teams love to see packed in a 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame.
2. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Scouting report: Tate looks poised to be the next first-round receiver out of Columbus. He boasts impressive size and route running at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. While he's not a burner, he dominates on vertical routes thanks to his elite contested catch ability (85.7% contested catch rate in 2025). He's one of the most sure-handed players in the class; he didn't drop any of his 66 targets in 2025.
3. Makai Lemon, Southern California
Scouting report: Lemon isn't an impressive athlete and won't test off the charts at the combine but he has an incredible feel for finding space in coverage and maximizing opportunities. His solid frame (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) should hold up in the slot at the NFL level. He had just two drops in 2025 on 108 targets and a 130.0 quarterback rating when targeted.
4. Denzel Boston, Washington
Scouting report: Boston is an ideal outside wide receiver at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds who wins with physicality at the catch point. He's quick but not fast and tracks the ball downfield extremely well. He can be a red zone target sooner than later and will keep up in the NFL thanks to his route running. His physicality translates as a run blocker as well which will endear him to many evaluators.
5. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Scouting report: Compact frame absorbs contact well and keeps him upright against defenders, allowing him to work upfield. Plays more like a running back in the open field; forced 27 missed tackles in 2025 alone. Best against zone coverage with great contested catch abilities. Experienced lining up wide (2024) and in the slot (2025). Not an elite athlete and has a limited catch radius.
6. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Scouting report: Dynamic weapon in the open field with immediate value as a returner. Makes plays in space against defenders thanks to his mix of quickness and long speed. Tracks the ball very well downfield. Smaller frame and drops are his only knocks. Drops are also a concern with 7 on 61 targets in 2025.
7. Germie Bernard, Alabama
Scouting report: Bernard won't wow you with one trait or his athleticism but he does pretty much everything well. Smooth athlete who can transition weight and flip his hips quickly. Size means he can operate in the slot or outside. Good play strength with ideal football IQ.
8. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Scouting report: Elite size with the burst and verticality NFL teams covet on the outside. Can operate underneath as well despite his long levers. Not an after-catch threat but his size makes him a near-lock in contested catch situations.
9. Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
Scouting report: Big-bodied receiver who thrives on the boundary. Lacks elite speed and acceleration; wins on size and strength over speed. Strong hands and physical attitude after the catch. Body control comes up in the red zone and could become a go-to in contested catch situations.
10. Chris Bell, Louisville
Scouting report: Strong frame with ideal speed for the NFL level. Proven hands and physicality in press coverage to work as a possession target if need be. Explosive after the catch. ACL tear knocked him from first-round consideration so he could be a value pick on Day 2 or 3.
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Scouting report: Great size and experience outside but has taken snaps from the slot as well. Excellent run blocker for the position. Earned the nickname "Waffle House" from teammates because he's "always open." Dependable hands with ideal timing and route-running. Lacks elite athleticism but makes up for it with a feel for finding holes in zone coverage, especially on in-breaking routes.
12. Antonio Williams, Clemson
Scouting report: One of the best route-runners in the class who operates out of the slot and separates consistently. Lacked production in 2025 compared to 2024 but crucially improved on drops. Showed more after the catch in 2025 as well. May be limited to the slot in the NFL and lacks elite speed to be a vertical threat.
13. Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Scouting report: Undersized wide receiver who may be forced to a slot-only role. Offers game-changing speed, acceleration and elusiveness in the open field. Alignment versatile as he was used in the backfield at times with Georgia. Offers immediate returner value. A burner in a class with few of them.
14. Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
Scouting report: One of the top performers from the NFL combine with an explosive mix of size and speed. Not shifty, more vertical with long speed and burst. Uses strength to separate at the top of routes. Will need to improve overall route-running and releases at the next level.
14. Ja'Kobi Lane, Southern California
Scouting report: Prototypical outside receiver frame that should make him a redzone target sooner than later in the NFL. Attacks the ball in contested catch situations. Uses basketball background to box out defenders. Finds soft spots in zone well and plays through contact. Lacks elite speed, is inexperienced in the route tree and is not a proven separator.
15. Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
Scouting report: The fastest player at the 2026 NFL combine, Thompson led the SEC in receiving yards in 2025. Size concerns will limit him to the slot but in a league searching for explosive plays and players, he'll find a fit. Route-running needs improvement and drops were an issue in 2025 (five on 87 targets).
16. Ted Hurst, Georgia State
Scouting report: Ideal outside wide receiver with length and long strides that get up to speed quickly (4.42 40-yard dash). Agile enough to shake press coverage. Capacity for a wider route tree than what he did at Georgia State. Great footwork. Not proven in contested catch scenarios. Small-school label will also question how he can handle NFL-level cornerback play.
17. Skyler Bell, Connecticut
Scouting report: Ideal speed with good size to hang either on the outside or the slot. Acceleration out of his breaks to be a threat at all levels. Good body control and contested catch ability. Outstanding production. Lowered his drops from 8 in 2024 to 4 in 2025 with big jump in targets. Route-running will need some polish in the NFL.
18. Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech
Scouting report: Long strider who glides faster on tape than he ran at the combine. Strong hands and body control show up against press coverage. Solid awareness against zone, much better than you'd expect from a two-year starter. Not a sudden mover and that shows up in his routes, which can be rounded.
19. Deion Burks, Oklahoma
Scouting report: In a class without a lot of speed at wide receiver, Burks could go earlier than anticipated with his 4.30-second 40-yard dash. Wins with his quick twitch in cuts, footwork and savvy against zone coverage. Weapon on reverses and jet sweeps. Play speed seems a bit slower than timed speed and he struggles to win contested catches due to his short arms (sub-30 inches). Body catcher which will limit him in the NFL.
20. De'Zhaun Stribling, Mississippi
Scouting report: Great size with 4.3 speed at the outside wide receiver spot. Transferred to Ole Miss for 2025 and made considerable strides, namely reducing his drops. His speed is not sudden; he's a long strider who moves smoothly in and out of transitions. Competitive run blocker. Struggles to separate consistently against press coverage. Can be out-muscled for contested catches.
21. Josh Cameron, Baylor
Scouting report: Running-back-sized wide receiver with strength and reliable hands, but not a sudden mover or good route-runner.
22. Malik Benson, Oregon
Scouting report: Electric track speed to stress defenses vertically with good length and toughness but unproven in short and intermediate concepts. Not a creator after the catch despite speed.
23. CJ Daniels, Miami (Fla.)
Scouting report: Creative possession wideout who is best in contested catch scenarios with great body control but struggles against press coverage and lacks speed. Also had injuries in 2022, 2024 and 2025.
24. Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
Scouting report: Slot-only prospect with good hands and physicality for his lean frame with good after-catch burst but lacks speed, route-running and size to play through press coverage.
25. Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
Scouting report: One of the best return specialists in college football history, who is an elusive open-field runner, but his smaller catch radius limits his ceiling as a slot receiver.
26. Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech
Scouting report: Undersized yet explosive receiver with great burst but may struggle in a likely slot-only role at the NFL and drops are a question mark.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft position rankings: Best available WR prospects
Source: “AOL Sports”
