Best available WR in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL Draft has arrived. No more conjecture or hypothetical. Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real.
Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen and cornerbacks are towards the top, while running backs, safeties and linebackers are less prioritized at the top. In 2026, they throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends.
Wide Receiver is one of the strengths of this draft. There are no Ja’Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson in this draft. However, there could be quite a few Puka Nakua or JSN.
While this draft lacks some of the bigger, can’t miss evaluations, there are starters to be had in this draft. It will come down to flavors. What is your team looking for? There are deep threats, dangerous slot receivers as well as possession receivers throughout this draft.
Name
School
HT
WT
Range
Pick
Team
Carnell Tate
Ohio St
6’3
195
Rd 1
4
Titans
Jordyn Tyson
ASU
6’2
200
Rd 1
8
Saints
Makai Lemon
USC
5’11
195
Rd 1-2
20
Eagles
Omar Cooper Jr
Indiana
6’0
204
Rd 1-2
30
Jets
Denzel Boston
Washington
6’4
210
Rd 2-3
39
Browns
KC Concepcion
Texas A&M
5’11
190
Rd 2-3
24
Browns
Chris Bell
Louisville
6’2
204
Rd 2-3
94
Dolphins
Chris Brazzell II
Tennessee
6’5
200
Rd 2-3
Germie Bernard
Alabama
6’1
204
Rd 2-3
47
Steelers
Elijah Surratt
Indiana
6’2
213
Rd 2-3
115
Ravens
Malachi Fields
Notre Dame
6’4
222
Rd 2-3
74
Giants
Zachariah Branch
Georgia
5’10
180
Rd 2-3
79
Falcons
Skyler Bell
UConn
6’0
185
Rd 2-3
Ted Hurst
Georgia St
6’3
195
Rd 2-4
84
Buccaneers
Antoinio Williams
Clemson
5’11
190
Rd 2-4
71
Commanders
Jeff Caldwell
Cincinnati
6’5
215
Rd 3-4
Deion Burks
Oklahoma
5’9
188
Rd 3-4
Ja’Kobi Lane
USC
6’4
200
Rd 3-4
80
Ravens
Bryce Lance
NDSU
6’3
209
Rd 3-4
CJ Daniels
Miami
6’2
205
Rd 3-5
Cyrus Allen
Cincinnati
5’11
180
Rd 3-5
De’Zhaun Stribling
Ole Miss
6’2
210
Rd 3-5
33
49ers
Brenen Thompson
Mississippi St
5’9
170
Rd 3-5
105
Chargers
Kevin Coleman Jr
Missouri
5’11
180
Rd 3-5
Eric McAlister
TCU
6’3
205
Rd 4-6
Eric Rivers
GT
5’11
180
Rd 4-6
Reggie Virgil
Texas Tech
6’3
190
Rd 4-6
Caleb Douglas
Texas Tech
6’4
205
Rd 4-6
75
Dolphins
Aaron Anderson
LSU
5’8
188
Rd 4-6
J. Michael Sturdivant
Florida
6’2
213
Rd 4-6
Tyren Montgomery
John Carroll
6’3
195
Rd 5-7
Chase Roberts
BYU
6’4
210
Rd 5-7
Zavion Thomas
LSU
5’10
192
Rd 5-7
89
Bears
Kendrick Law
Kentucky
6’0
205
Rd 5-7
Colbie Young
Georgia
6’4
215
Rd 5-7
Noah Thomas
Georgia
6’5
205
Rd 5-7
Dane Key
Nebraska
6’3
210
Rd 5-7
Kaden Wetjen
Iowa
5’9
196
Rd 5-7
121
Steelers
Josh Cameron
Baylor
6’1
224
Rd 5-7
Ja’Kobi Lane is the best available WR according to ESPN’s draft tracker.
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network– available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
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