Sportsvival is early in our 2026 NFL Draft wide receiver evaluations, and these rankings are preliminary. Expect movement (e.g., the Senior Bowl), the NFL Scouting Combine, team interviews, medicals, and campus pro days, those checkpoints routinely reshape boards every cycle.
Top 10 WRs - 2026 NFL Draft
1) Carnell Tate, Ohio State (6’2”, 200 lbs)
Length, contested‑catch ability, and boundary savvy define Tate’s profile. He wins on the outside with body control and strong hands at the catch point, projecting as a true X who can stretch the field and threaten the red zone.
Projected round: Round 1
2) Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (6’2”, 200 lbs)
Polished route runner with reliable contested hands and the size to hold up on the boundary. Tyson’s tape shows consistent separation at the top of routes and dependable catch‑point play, making him an early day‑one target for teams that value physical outside receivers.
Projected round: Round 1
3) Makai Lemon, USC (5’11”, 190 lbs)
Explosive separator with suddenness and YAC instincts. Lemon creates separation with quickness and shows the burst to turn short catches into chunk plays; testing and special‑teams tape will determine how high he climbs.
Projected round: Round 1–2
4) Denzel Boston, Washington (6’3”, 209 lbs)
Big‑frame boundary threat who wins contested situations and offers clear red‑zone upside. Boston’s size and catch radius make him a mismatch on fades and jump balls; route refinement and separation work will shape his draft slot.
Projected round: Round 1–2
5) Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M (5’11”, 187 lbs)
Reliable, polished slot option with crisp route‑running and dependable hands over the middle. Concepcion profiles as a chain‑mover and third‑down target who can step into a starting slot role early in his career.
Projected round: Round 2
6) Chris Bell, Louisville (6’2”, 220 lbs)
Physical boundary receiver with strong catch‑point play and the ability to finish through contact. Bell’s size and contested‑catch traits give him a clear role as a boundary Z or move‑tight end in certain schemes.
Projected round: Round 2–3
7) Zachariah Branch, Georgia (5’10”, 175 lbs)
Speed‑first playmaker with return upside and deep‑threat juice. Branch’s vertical ability and special‑teams value make him an intriguing Day‑3 target who can flip field position and stretch defenses vertically.
Projected round: Round 3
8) Ja’Kobi Lane, USC (6’4”, 195 lbs)
Lengthy receiver with upside as a contested‑catch specialist. Lane’s frame and catch radius project well to boundary roles; refinement in route polish and consistency will determine whether he becomes a starter or a situational red‑zone weapon.
Projected round: Round 3–4
9) Elijah Sarratt, Indiana (6’2”, 209 lbs)
Big, physical target who competes at the catch point and offers inside/outside flexibility. Sarratt’s contested ability and size profile him as a developmental Day‑3 option with starter traits in the right scheme.
Projected round: Round 3-4
10) Germie Bernard, Alabama (6’0”, 209 lbs)
Sturdy, physical receiver who can work inside and outside and bring toughness to contested situations. Bernard projects as a rotational piece with the potential to grow into a dependable chain‑mover and situational boundary option.
Projected round: Round 4
Sportsvival view
This early 2026 WR group blends size/contested catch prospects (Tate, Tyson, Boston) with speed and YAC upside (Lemon, Branch) and polished slot options (Concepcion). Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson headline early Round‑1 chatter, but combine testing, Interviews, and medicals will be decisive for several players in the middle tiers. Expect notable board movement as teams collect more measurable and interview data.
(photo courtesy of Pro Football Network)