Wide receiver prospects to watch at the Senior Bowl ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft: Large opportunity for day 2 and 3 WRs to shine
3 WRs that could turn heads at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, and as a result raise their draft stock ahead of the NFL Draft.
The Super Bowl matchup is now set with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks officially crowned conference champions. The other 30 teams are already in offseason mode, which, of course, means the most wonderful time of year: draft season.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be here before you know it, and one of the big milestones of the process has already arrived. The players have already reported to the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, and they take the field for their first practice on Tuesday.
Here at A to Z Sports, we are giving you some players to watch this week who we believe will turn heads. This piece will focus on the wide receivers in attendance, a group that doesn’t include the top-tier guys in the class but does include plenty of sleepers to keep your eyes peeled for.
Ted Hurst, Georgia Tech
I think Ted Hurst is one of the most underrated WRs in this class, but he has the chance to make people aware of how good he is this week in Mobile. A solid frame at 6-3 but a bit lighter than many would prefer at around 190 lbs.
He was fantastic for Georgia State the last two years, finishing with 127 receptions, 1,965 yards, and 15 touchdowns. Hurst can play just about any role given to him, though his ability to haul in explosive plays down the field makes him a better fit on the outside. I think he’s going to be a big riser this week at the Senior Bowl.
You typically don’t find quick-route winners like Hurst, who are 6-3. Hurst is excellent at the line of scrimmage, though, and that should excel in both team drills and one-on-ones this week in practice.
Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
Cincinnati’s Cyrus Allen is a shifty route runner with burner speed. He was one of the stars at the American Bowl, and his performance there turned some heads and ultimately landed him a spot at the Senior Bowl.
He began his career at Louisiana Tech for his first two seasons. There, he recorded 68 receptions, 1,278 yards, and eight touchdowns. He then transferred to Texas A&M for one year, where he finished with only 18 receptions, 269 yards, and one touchdown. He finished his college career at Cincinnati, where he caught 51 passes for 674 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns, which led the Big 12.
Allen is going to dominate one-on-ones as he utilizes his burner speed to create separation at an insane rate. The 5-11 180 WR isn’t going to be every team’s cup of tea due to his slender build. The kid can flat-out play, though, and he’s going to show it in Mobile.
Ja’Kobi Lane, USC
Malachi Lemon gets the most attention, but Ja’Kobi Lane was also great for USC this year. The 6-4 WR recorded 49 receptions, 745 yards, and four touchdowns this season and is just one year removed from having 12 touchdowns for USC in 2025.
The Senior Bowl roster doesn’t have any of the top WR prospects in the class. Lane is honestly the most highly regarded prospect in attendance. This will be a massive opportunity for Lane to separate himself from the rest of this group and try to cement himself as a second-round selection.
Texans looking for an X WR will be very intrigued with Lane. His size and ability to high point the football are evident. He is one of the best red zone WRs in the class and will be able to display that skill in both one-on-ones and in team drills this week.
NFL Draft
1st round 2026 NFL mock draft: Jets improve their ability to land a QB in 2027, and the Bengals make an aggressive trade
A brand new 1st round 2026 NFL mock draft has a shocking trade shake-up at the top of the board, and its ripple effects are felt throughout round 1.
