The battle to be the top WR selected in the 2026 NFL Draft: A look at the case for Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon
The race to be the first wide receiver taken in the 2026 NFL Draft is so close it’ll require a photo finish, so let’s take a look at each case the top WRs in the class have to earn the honor.
The race to be the first wide receiver taken in the 2026 NFL Draft remains too close to call. There are three WRs with a legitimate shot at hearing their name called first come April.
Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, and USC’s Makai Lemon remain in the discussion. And all three have solid arguments that could lead to them becoming WR1 come April.
Three of our NFL Draft analysts here at A to Z Sports got together to share their thoughts on the topic. Each has a different WR ranked as the top in the class. Destin Adams has Tate, Adam Holt has Tyson, and Tyler Forness has Lemon.
Let’s check out the case for each WR, shall we?
Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon’s 2025 college stats
- Carnell Tate: 51 receptions, 875 yards, 9 touchdowns, 11 games
- Jordyn Tyson: 61 receptions, 711 yards, 8 touchdowns, 9 games
- Makai Lemon: 79 receptions, 1,156 yards, 11 touchdowns, 12 games
Carnell Tate, Ohio State
“It feels like thereis an imaginary tax people put on Carnell Tate because of how well respected his Ohio State Buckeyes teammate, Jeremiah Smith, is. It wasn’t long ago that we saw another former Buckeyes WR experience the same thing. That player was Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who played with Marvin Harrison Jr. and, due to injury, saw him become a star during his final collegiate season. JSN not only has outplayed Harrison in the NFL but was the clear best WR in the league this season.
“Some may say it was easier for Tate because opposing defenses focused so much attention on Smith, but that’s a two-edged sword. He also didn’t get the same amount of targets or receptions as the other WRs in the discussion to be the first taken in April: Tyson and Lemon.
“All three players have star potential at the next level, and all three will end up with first-round grades from me. Tate has the best chance of working out in the NFL because his skill set will translate well. For one, his ability as a deep threat to attack defenses vertically should be a key part of how he is used, even as a rookie.
“Tate may high-point the football better than any WR in this class. He doesn’t have track speed, but he’s sudden in and out of his breaks and can create plenty of separation.
“He has excellent size at 6-3 and can play either the X or Z role in any NFL offense. He is also one of the most reliable WRs in the class with zero credited drops in 2025 and only three in his entire college career.
“He isn’t afraid to battle through contact and tracks the football well in the air. Tate has the makings of becoming a QB’s best friend, and even though he didn’t hold the title in the Buckeyes’ offense, he has the talent to be a WR1 in an NFL offense. He should be the first WR taken in the NFL Draft.” – Destin Adams, A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
“The top of this wide receiver class is a fun discussion for a multitude of reasons. Debating WR1 comes down to the upside of each guy – at their ceiling, who has the best chance to be a Pro Bowl+ level player, regardless of landing spot? For myself, Jordyn Tyson checks most of those boxes.
“In a class that lacks some talent in the ‘elite’ sort of bucket for prospects, Tyson falls in there due to his strong hands, separation skills, and fluidity in his route running. He also possesses the size and build to be a legitimate top wideout on an NFL depth chart for years to come. He has some injury concerns that have given some people pause, but the potential is simply too great to pass up in this class.
“As for his comparison to Tate and Lemon, I’ve got Lemon notably closer to Tyson in this race. Lemon’s playmaking ability with the ball in his hands is electric, and he can pop and morph into a quarterback’s best friend at the pro level, just like he did at USC.
“While he lacks some size that other WR prospects in this class have, he overcomes that with great instincts at high-pointing the football and strong hands at the catch point in the middle of the field. I believe Tate also belongs in round one, but the concerns for me there are a bit more deterring.
“He’s got a big frame that should translate, and his body control is a marvel to watch. That said, I don’t think his separation ability is on par with the other two guys mentioned, and his lack of physicality at times puts a notch in his profile. I’d expect him to be a productive WR in the NFL, but the risks are a bit more prominent when I watch him.
“Overall, all three of these wideouts should hear their name called early in the 2026 NFL Draft. If I’m hitching my hype wagon to one of them, though, I’ll take the Sun Devils superstar.” – Adam Holt, A to Z Sports, NFL Draft analyst
Makai Lemon, USC
“The top wide receivers in this class are all fascinating to break down. Among the top NFL Draft analysts, I expect there to be at least three players with a WR1 grade, possibly a fourth if someone loves Denzel Boston. My WR1 is Makai Lemon, and I didn’t expect it to happen that way.
Going into the process, I expected it to be Boston or Tate, but the more I watched Lemon, the more thoroughly impressed I became with everything he has to offer. When I watch him, I get a combination of Jordan Addison and Larry Fitzgerald that really can’t be explained without film.
He does a fantastic job of winning before the catch with his release package and route-running prowess, using quick twitch and technique to gain separation. He’s also a maven after the catch, displaying quick vision and elusiveness in the open field to gain yardage. That’s the Addison part of the comparison.
What set things apart for me was how well he thrives at the catch point. You wouldn’t expect a 5-11 and 195-pound receiver to be dominant there, but he was, catching 10-15 of his contested targets this season and a 57.1% rate in his career.
That’s where the Fitzgerald comparison comes into play. Just like Fitzgerald, Lemon has the uncanny ability to position and control his body to maximize his opportunities to catch the ball, and he’s especially good at it when lined up in the slot.
That is something most players never master, but it’s natural for Lemon. He also has something the other two don’t have: an explosive next gear. When we are talking about similar prospects in nearly every other way, it puts Lemon in his own class and elevates him to the top wide receiver in the 2026 class.” – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst
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