2026 NFL Draft WR rankings: Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, and more

The 2026 NFL Draft arrives tomorrow, Thursday, 23 April, and with it, we’ll welcome the next generation of pro wide receivers.

From the fifth-straight Ohio State product to go in the first round of their respective draft, to a slot demon out of USC, the 2026 class boasts a varied group of dynamic pass-catchers.

Here are my DAZN News rankings for the top five wide receivers in the upcoming NFL Draft.

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From just £9.99/€9.99, witness the moment Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate hear their names called and take their first steps toward NFL stardom.

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1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State

NFL Draft projected range: Top 10

The most NFL-ready receiver in this class, Tate is a refined route runner who can beat press coverage with relative ease.

He also has the safest hands in the class, having posted zero drops in 2025 and only five over the last three years.

Tate's 'slow' 4.53-second 40-yard dash has followed him around like a bad smell since the NFL Combine, raising concerns about his top-end speed.

Anyone with doubts that he has enough juice to separate should go back and watch the tape.

He lands with the Commanders seventh overall in our latest mock, but he could go even earlier.

2. Makai Lemon, USC

NFL Draft projected range: No. 8 to No. 16 overall

The Biletnikoff Award winner and our WR2 in this class, Lemon will make his money by wrong-footing defenders rather than outrunning them.

He's a nightmare for opposing defenses with the ball in his hands, finishing 2025 as the only Big Ten player in 2025 with more than 500 yards after contact. 

Lemon should find the field early, drawing upon his vast experience in the slot (535 college snaps) to occupy a similar role for his NFL team.

The Saints, Giants, Dolphins, and Rams are all in play.

3. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

NFL Draft projected range: No. 8 to No. 16 overall

Tyson's production is incredible: 136 catches, 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns in 21 games at Arizona State is the kind of output that has NFL teams rubbing their hands together with glee.

He's an X receiver who creates his own separation, makes spectacular catches in traffic, and has improved his drop rate dramatically in 2025.

The main concern is his injury history, but his latest hamstring injury appears to be behind him. Could his impressive solo workout open the door for him to go ahead of Lemon? Quite possibly.

4. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

NFL Draft projected range: Mid to late first

The leading receiver on Indiana's national championship team in 2025, Cooper is a nightmare to bring down after the catch, ranking fourth in the FBS with 27 forced missed tackles.

He lined up in the slot for over 83 per cent of his snaps, but profiles as an inside-outside weapon after spending more time out wide in 2023 and 2024.

He'll need to continue expanding on his route tree, but there are certainly ways a creative offensive coordinator could maximise Cooper's talent early.

5. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

NFL Draft projected range: Late first

The 2025 Paul Hornung Award winner, Concepcion led the SEC in receiving touchdowns (nine) and punt return yards (456).

He became the first Aggie to score a receiving, rushing and punt return touchdown in the same season, and is a versatile playmaker with 7.2 yards after the catch per reception in 2025.

In the right spot, Concepcion should develop into a starting slot or Z receiver who also provides value as a returner. Fantasy managers, rejoice.

Just missed the top five WR list

Georgia's Zachariah Branch has elite speed and led the FBS with an 87.1 per cent catch rate when targeted in 2025.

The Branch's chances of creeping into the back of the first round took a hit after being arrested on two misdemeanour obstruction charges last week.

Washington's Denzel Boston is a big, physical receiver who posted a 77% contested-catch rate last year.

Whether Boston has the speed to help him become something more than a red-zone weapon remains to be seen.