Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Eric Singleton, and a sleeper WR2 highlight early 2026 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings
Early 2026 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings
The 2026 College Football season has officially kicked off, and the NFL season will follow very shortly. For the sickos out there, that means we are one step closer to the 2026 NFL Draft officially getting here. Before you know it, April will be here, and we will be discussing the next wave of NFL stars.
As of today, the 2026 wide receiver class has the potential to be a very good group, but a lot of questions remain. This is an overall group that will most likely change a bunch before everything is said and done. Here are my top ten wideouts currently, and a few others that narrowly missed the cut.
It is a very talented group with a ton of untapped potential, but some volatility to it as well.
1. Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
A former Colorado transfer, Tyson has dealt with some injuries during the course of his college career. When he was healthy in 2024 for Arizona State, Tyson was unguardable. In 12 games for the Sun Devils, he hauled in 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. At 6-1 and 195 pounds, Tyson is a three-level threat with speed to burn.
2. Chris Bell (Louisville)
Not enough people understand how truly talented Bell is, who is expected to take a huge jump as the go-to guy in 2025. At 6’1 1/2″ and 227 pounds, Bell is an incredibly explosive player for his size. When you look at Bell and his body type, you would expect him to be a physical wide receiver who probably lacks athleticism. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Bell has some uncanny hip fluidity for his size, and outstanding long speed for his size. He can win at the catch point, as a route runner, and after the catch.
3. Makai Lemon (USC)
When you look at Lemon physically, you won’t be blown away. He is a smaller pass catcher at 5-11 and 195 pounds, but is arguably the best route runner in the entire class. You also won’t find many smarter pass catchers in the class as well. Lemon is lightning in a bottle who can make plays after the catch as well. His long speed is just average, which may limit him more to the slot.
4. Eric Singleton Jr. (Auburn)
There is one quality about Singleton that NFL scouts are going to clamor for – speed. In two seasons with Georgia Tech, Singleton managed to haul in 104 receptions for 1,468 yards and nine touchdowns. The 5-11, 178-pound pass catcher is a nice route runner as well, but you are drafting him to make big plays. His size may be a bit limiting, but a creative offensive coordinator is going to love working with Singleton.
5. Carnell Tate (Ohio State)
While playing with Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith this past season, Tate went a bit under the radar. At 6-3 and 195 pounds, Tate is a silky smooth route runner who possesses a great catch radius as well. With Egbuka off to the NFL, folks are expecting Tate to improve drastically on the 52 receptions for 733 yards and four touchdowns he made in 2024. Tate needs to be a more consistent player, but the talent is certainly there.
6. Deion Burks (Oklahoma)
If Burks didn’t get banged up last season, Burks probably would have entered the 2025 NFL Draft class. He is a smaller player at around 5-9 and 180 pounds, but Burks is an incredibly quick football player. Burks can run routes, and also win after the catch. He is a space weapon you want.
7. Aaron Anderson (LSU)
Similar to Burks, Anderson is a diminutive pass catcher who has some limitations due to size. In the right role, however, Anderson can be a huge weapon for a prospective offensive coordinator. Anderson has a nice ability to erase angles, and find creases in a defense. Along with Barion Brown, Nic Anderson, and Chris Hilton Jr., LSU has a chance to have a tremendously deep wide receiver group.
8. Antonio Williams (Clemson)
Williams has been quietly a really impressive wide receiver for the Clemson Tigers the last three seasons when healthy. The 5-11, 200-pound athlete just had his best season in 2024, hauling in 75 receptions for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns. He will play mostly in the slot, where he can win after the catch with his sturdy frame. Williams is also an incredibly instictive player who can navigate space at a high level.
9. Eugene Wilson III (Florida)
When Wilson has been healthy for Florida, he has been a very good football player. The issue is that Wilson was only able to play in four games in 2024. When healthy, he is a really exciting after catch weapon. Whenever you are able to get Wilson in space, he is an exciting talent. If he can stay healthy, and gets stronger, Wilson has a chance to be a huge riser in this class.
10. Jaden Greathouse (Notre Dame)
Greathouse had a mostly quiet 2024 season, but turned up his game against Penn State and Ohio State during the final two games of the season. In those games, Greathouse managed to haul in 13 receptions for 233 yards and three touchdowns. At 6-1 and 210 pounds, he is a sturdy slot receiver who has a unique feel for space and running routes. Greathouse can also win with the football in the air.
Just missed the cut
Jayce Brown (Kansas State)
Although Kansas State doesn’t have the most potent passing attack in the world, Brown still managed to make a huge impact last season. In 13 games, Brown managed to haul in 47 receptions for 823 yards and five touchdowns, an average of 17.5 yards per reception. He is a thinner-framed wide receiver at 6-0 and 175 pounds, but he also has a ton of speed to burn. Brown is the type of player you want to manufacture space for.
De’Zhan Stribling (Ole Miss)
A former Oklahoma State transfer, Stribling quietly had a really nice season in 2024, hauling in 52 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns. He now has a chance to be a really important pass game weapon for the Rebels this season. Stribling looks and plays a lot bigger than his 6’1 5/8″ and 204-pound verified size. The route running will surprise, and so will Stribling’s ability to win in the air.
Zachariah Branch (Georgia)
The former USC transfer is about as dynamic in space as you will see, and has speed to burn. As a punt returner, it is very easy to see. Branch’s production just isn’t there currently, having only managed 78 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns in 23 games. Georgia is hoping that Branch makes a substantial jump.
Germie Bernard (Alabama)
Bernard’s game is pretty similar to former Crimson Tide standout John Metchie. From a pure size and speed perspective, Bernard has the requisite levels to play a long time in the NFL. He doesn’t, however, have an area where he is elite. There is a complimentary feel to his game, which isn’t a bad thing.
Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
Sarratt plays even bigger than his verified size of 6’1 3/4″ and 206 pounds. He does his best work with the football in the air, understanding how to outleverage opposing defensive backs for the football. After beginning his college career at St. Francis and then James Madison, Sarratt became an All-Big Ten player in 2024 after hauling in 53 receptions for 957 yards and eight touchdowns.
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