We’re entering the 2026 NFL Draft cycle, and naturally, it’s time to start debating who the best players are at their respective positions.

One of those debates is who will be WR1 in April. The discussion for who will become the top wide receiver prospect in the class features two highly talented athletes in Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate.

To help settle this discussion early in the draft process, Ryan Roberts and I delivered a verdict on who we believe is WR1. Here were the results.

Ohio State WR Carnell Tate Background

Tate has appeared in 39 games through his three-year career with the Buckeyes, amassing over 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns. After playing behind a talented crop of future NFLers, Tate emerged as a key weapon at Ohio State this season alongside Jeremiah Smith.

The 6’3″, 195lbs receiver was rated as a high four-star recruit per On3’s industry ranking coming out of high school. He was recognized as the 8th-best receiver and 41st overall prospect in his class.

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson Background

Tyson originally started his career at Colorado before transferring to Arizona State, where he was a significant piece in the program’s resurrection. He’s played in 33 games in his total career, totaling 2,282 yards and 22 touchdowns.

As a recruit, the 6’2″, 200lbs receiver was only a 3-star prospect. Per On3’s industry ranking, he was the 309th overall recruit and 56th receiver in his class.

Is Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson WR1 in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Joe DeLeone: Carnell Tate

There’s a potential path where we see Tyson become the most productive receiver in this class in five years. He’s arguably the most well-rounded receiver in the class with a rare smoothness to his game. However, the big-play ability Tate put on film this season was too impressive to ignore.

The most intriguing aspect of his game is his impact as a deep route runner. Tate has a subtle nuance to his deep routes that enables him to manipulate defenders. The slightest jabs create chasems of space between him and defensive backs. His film was loaded with deep shots over the middle, where he was wide open thanks to his route-running ability.

Tate physically possesses the frame and athleticism to be a top receiver in the NFL. He flashes great body control with an ability to adjust to the football while using his massive catch radius to haul in anything that comes his way. Additionally, his size is bolstered by strong play strength, which helps him win through press.

It feels as though Tate will have a similar impact early in his career to what we’ve seen from Emeka Egbuka in his rookie season. The proper role could lead him to win OROY.

Ryan Roberts: Carnell Tate

Heading into the 2025 season, I liked Carnell Tate as a prospect, but I didn’t love him. I wanted the finer points of his game to get better, while also being more consistent in finishing plays in the air. He has done both of those things this season, showing that Tate is a complete wide receiver with outstanding length, body control, movement skill, and some eye-popping moments as a route runner.

The complete profile is what gives him the edge over Jordyn Tyson. The Arizona State standout is one of the smoothest wide receivers you are ever going to see, easily able to create separation at every level of the field. Tyson also has some of the best downfield acceleration you are going to see. The biggest question mark with Tyson is going to be his medicals ,with some troubling durability concerns in his career. That combination of upside and availability helped to solidify the argument for Tate.

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You can listen to our full podcast conversation below.

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Joe DeLeone