Ranking 5 Best Wide Receivers From 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is stacked with wide receiver talent from the first round to the last. The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the New York Jets are among the front-runners who could draft a WR1 or a WR2.

In 2025, a total of four receivers were drafted in the first round. Travis Hunter, followed by Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Matthew Golden, found their NFL teams, respectively. But in 2024, a year earlier, as many as seven receivers were picked on the first day. During their two years in the league, Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr., Xavier Worthy, Ricky Pearsall, and Xavier Legette have all made their mark.

The 2026 season features several standout receivers with the potential to step in as WR1 for NFL teams.

Projected Top 5 wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft

1. Carnell Tate (Ohio State Buckeyes)
2. Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State Sun Devils)
3. Makai Lemon (USC Trojans)
4. Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana Hoosiers)
5. Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M Aggies)

1. Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State Buckeyes)

The Ohio State University has produced several top receivers over the last few years. Players like Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, Terry McLaurin, Emeka Egbuka, Jameson Williams, and Marvin Harrison Jr. are among the few. Carnell Tate is poised to join that list on day one of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

Tate hails from Chicago, Illinois, and later committed to play for the Buckeyes in 2023. Scouts never viewed Tate as WR1 because Harrison Jr., Jeremiah Smith, and Egbuka played alongside the 21-year-old during his three years in college. In his final year with the Buckeyes, Tate caught 51 passes for 875 yards and scored 9 touchdowns.

College Stats: 121 receptions, 1872 yards, 15.5 yards per game, 14 touchdowns in 39 games.

Projected NFL Team: Cleveland Browns

Bucky Brooks, in his final mock draft for NFL Network, projected that the Cleveland Browns will draft Carnell Tate 6th overall. Jerry Jeudy was the Browns’ best receiver in 2025. In 17 games, Jeudy caught 50 passes for 602 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. The Browns need a star marksman.

Opting for a pass catcher in this draft slot over an offensive tackle is risky, but [Carnell] Tate displays the route-running skills and playmaking ability to thrive as a WR1. With Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson in need of a reliable receiver on the perimeter, the Ohio State standout could be too good to pass up.

2. Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State Sun Devils)

Jordyn Tyson is expected to be the second wide receiver taken in the 2026 NFL Draft. Tyson hails from Texas and later committed to play for the University of Colorado in 2022. Following his lone season in Colorado, he entered the transfer portal and joined Arizona State.

College Stats: 158 receptions, 2282 yards, 14.4 yards per catch, and 22 touchdowns in 33 games.

Projected NFL Team: New York Giants

Tyson is on the books of several teams. From the Kansas City Chiefs to the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, and even the Washington Commanders are in the running for the 21-year-old’s services. However, Bucky Brooks sees the Giants taking Tyson to give quarterback Jaxson Dart a slot target.

3. Makai Lemon (WR, USC Trojans)

If Tate is an explosive receiver and Tyson is the most complete, USC’s Makai Lemon is the best pass catcher in the 2026 NFL Draft. Lemon hails from California and committed to USC in 2023. In 2025, he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, awarded to the most outstanding receiver in college football.

College Stats: 137 receptions, 2008 yards, and 14 touchdowns in 33 games

Projected NFL Team: Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have Puka Nacua on their roster, who led the league with 129 receptions for 1715 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. LA also has veteran Davante Adams, who scored the most touchdowns last year with 14. The Rams should draft Lemon this year because Adams’ contract ends after the 2026 season. Brooks wrote:

Lemon is a catch-and-run specialist with sticky hands and a tough-minded approach that meshes with the Rams’ ultra-physical culture.

4. Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana Hoosiers)

Omar Cooper Jr. is a late bloomer. The 22-year-old spent his entire college career with the University of Indiana Hoosiers. After Curt Cignetti took over as the head coach of the Hoosiers, Cooper became the Hoosiers’ number one marksman. During their championship-winning year, Cooper led the team with 13 touchdowns.

College Stats: 115 receptions, 1798 yards, 15.6 yards per catch, and 22 touchdowns in 42 games.

Projected NFL Team: New York Jets

After solving their quarterback issue by signing Geno Smith, the next best option is to surround him with as many great pass catchers as they can find. Garrett Wilson is number one, and they also brought in Adonai Mitchell last year. Adding Cooper will give the Jets a different dimension to their game.

According to NFL Network‘s Daniel Jeremiah:

[Omar] Cooper is a nice complement to Garrett Wilson. The former Hoosier can play inside and is excellent when it comes to picking up yards after the catch.

5. Kevin Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M Aggies)

Kevin Concepcion committed to play for the NC State Wolfpack in 2023. He spent two years with the Carolina-based school. Ahead of the 2025 season, he transferred to Texas A&M and lit the SEC on fire. During his final season at College Station, Concepcion racked up 919 yards and 9 touchdowns (15.1 yards per catch).

College Stats: 185 receptions, 2218 yards, 12.0 yards per catch, and 25 touchdowns in 38 games. He also scored 3 rushing TDs and returned for 2 TDs.

Projected NFL Team: The New England Patriots

The Patriots are short in the receiver department. Stefon Diggs is no longer on the team, and Kayshon Boutte is leaning toward holding out for an extension. In the wake of these developments, the Patriots are expected to trade for Super Bowl-winning AJ Brown. The Ringer‘s Todd McShay believes that Concepcion could be a great complement to Brown.

Also Read:

• 3 Players Cowboys Could Draft in First Round of 2026 NFL Draft
• Predicting the Top 10 Picks of the 2026 NFL Draft