Top Wide Receivers – 2026 NFL Draft Preseason Watch List
- John B. Everett
- Aug 10
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 12
The majority of the top WR prospects in college football this season figure to be sophomores who only left high school prior to the 2024 season and are therefore not available this next April. (NFL rules prohibit drafting or signing any player who graduated high school less than three years prior to the draft.) Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), Ryan Williams (Alabama), Cam Coleman (Auburn), TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco (Clemson), Ryan Wingo (Texas), and Nick Marsh (Michigan State) are all potential first round picks, but no sooner than the 2027 NFL Draft. Although this year’s class pales in comparison to next year’s potential bounty, there are still several Top 50 prospects that should be available next spring.
Top of the Class
1. Jordyn Tyson / Arizona State
Although Cam Skattebo received the majority of credit for the Sun Devils’ run to the college football playoff and Big 12 Championship, the passing combination of Sam Leavitt and Tyson provided much needed balance and allowed Skattebo to feast on overly taxed defenses that were not able to focus solely on the running game. Tyson has NFL-desired size and length (6’2”) for an outside receiver and went for 75 receptions / 1,101 yards (14.7 YPR) / 10 TDs despite missing the Big 12 Championship Game and the playoff loss to Texas due to a broken collarbone. Tyson only has one year of production and needs to follow up with a similar 2025 season to last year but he leads the list of potential top WRs available next April.
2. Carnell Tate / Ohio State
Not often does a highly recruited prospect like Tate seemingly falls through the cracks and remain relatively unknown despite being an elite talent. But such is the fate for Tate, whose time at OSU has coincided with the time that the Buckeyes have had two premiere talents at WR – Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Jeremiah Smith, as well as 2025 first round pick Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay), starting in front of him. But Tate was a 5-star recruit for a reason – he possesses a combination of size, length, speed, and playmaking ability that makes him a potential #1 WR in the NFL, even if he is no better than the second option in Columbus. Tate had a respectable 2024 season, going for 52 receptions / 733 yards (14.1 YPR) / 4 TDs, and figures to better those numbers now that he is set to start opposite Smith weekly in 2025.
3. KC Concepcion / Texas A&M
Concepcion transfers to College Station from North Carolina State where he basically functioned as the Wolfpack offense (when healthy) for the last two seasons. Average frame and length with a thin, wiry frame. Go to receiver for the Wolfpack since his first day on campus. Extremely quick and elusive – uncovers easily against man coverage. Looks like an ideal slot receiver at the NFL level. Fantastic speed and explosiveness. Extremely reliable hands. Tough and willing to work the middle of the field, which is both a blessing and a curse as his toughness is appreciated but he takes too many big hits. Needs to learn to protect himself better as he enters SEC play this year.
4. Eric Singleton / Auburn
Singleton was a highly sought after transfer in the portal after putting together two solid seasons at Georgia Tech (104 combined receptions / 1,468 yds (14.1 YPR) / 9 TDs) and he gives the Tigers a starting outside WR to replace the departed KeAndre Lambert-Smith, a fifth-round pick of the LA Chargers. Singleton has the playing style and body type that works best out of the slot at the NFL level where Singleton’s elusiveness and fluidity creates mismatches in space. Singleton gets to be the featured weapon for QB Jackson Arnold, who is attempting to resurrect his career after failing to meet expectations at Oklahoma.
5. Duce Robinson / Florida State
Robinson was a blue-chip recruit and selected USC out of high school but failed to live up to the lofty expectations, catching only 39 receptions / 747 yds (19.2 YPR) / 7 TDs over the last two seasons. Robinson is extremely tall and long at 6’6” with grapevines for arms. He is a match-up nightmare near the end zone where his ability to high point the ball is his greatest strength seven out of his 39 career catches (18%) have gone for TDs. Robinson transfers to Florida State where he has a new opportunity to open some eyes in the ACC for a team that is trying to bounce back after a disastrous 2024 campaign (2-10 record).
6. Zachariah Branch / Georgia
Another former USC Trojan WR headed east looking for greener pastures includes the undersized but uber-quick slot receiver who is headed to Athens looking for better integration into the offense’s game plan each week. After only catching 47 passes for 503 yards (10.7 YPR), and 1 TD last season, the Bulldogs are hoping for more big plays from Branch who possesses fantastic burst and change of direction ability – special talent similar to Xavier Worthy in space and is extremely dangerous when facing a LB or safety in the open field. Branch is a dangerous, game breaking punt returner who adds a special dimension to Georgia’s special teams.
7. Denzel Boston / Washington
Boston possesses excellent size and frame with desired height (6’4”), mass (209 lbs), and reach. Nice hands. High points the ball effectively which helps maximize his large catch radius – snags the ball with clean hands. Very good tracking ability – excellent hand-eye coordination. Had a breakthrough season in 2024 when he caught 63 passes for 834 yards (13.2 YPR) and 9 TDs. Very good sideline awareness and body control. Smooth strider with very good deep speed. Physical and strong after the catch. Tightness in his hips limits his ability to create separation but he typically wins at the catch point.
Other Names to Monitor:
· Elijah Sarratt / Indiana. Very good frame and length (6’2” / 209 lbs) with a large catch radius. Good deep speed. Technically proficient route runner. Strong and reliable hands. Displays the ability to high point and extend to snatch the contested catch. Coming off a productive season in Bloomington where he finished with 53 receptions / 957 yards (18.1 YPR) / 8 TDs.
· Eugene “Tre” Wilson / Florida. The undersized but extremely explosive Wilson burst on the scene as a true freshman in 2023 but struggled last year when injuries took a toll. Wilson gets the opportunity to play an entire season with QB DJ Lagway, an extremely promising true sophomore. Wilson may just be beginning to scratch his potential.
· Dillon Bell / Georgia. Well-built, tall, strong, and long-limbed. Solid frame – built like a RB. Physical and powerful open field runner – great burst and brings pads on contact. Good, not great deep speed. Displays the ability to high point the ball and win at the catch point. Suffers from too many concentration drops and his hands are less than reliable.
· Antonio Williams / Clemson. Average size, frame, and length. Average sized catch radius. Beginning fourth year as a starter, although missed significant time in 2023 with injury. Very good route runner due to quickness and agility – separates well from man coverage. Very good speed. Reliable hands. Perhaps the top senior WR available in next April’s NFL Draft. Finished with 75 receptions / 904 yds (12.1 YPR) / 11 TDs last season.
· Trebor Pena / Penn State. Pena gives the Nittany Lions a true, #1 feature WR for QB Drew Allar, something that has been missing in State College since Allar has been the QB. Pena transfers to Penn State from Syracuse where he had a breakout season – 84 receptions / 941 yds (11.2 YPR) / 9 TDs. He possesses very good body control and has the ability to extend and snag the off-target pass. He has excellent concentration and hands and flourished as the go to receiver for Kyle McCord last year. He hopes to bring the same stability to Penn State’s WR room this year.
· Isaiah Horton / Alabama. Horton transfers in to Tuscaloosa after a solid 2024 season at Miami where he went for 56 receptions / 616 yds (11 YPR) / 5 TDs and should be able to feast on single coverage lining up opposite Ryan Williams. Horton offers a huge target at 6’4” / 208 lbs and possesses a sizeable wingspan that makes him nearly impossible to contain near the end zone.
· Germie Bernard / Alabama. The much-traveled senior – he began his career at Michigan State, transferred to Washington, and then followed coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama – will be a featured WR in Bama’s attack and should be able to capitalize on the attention given to Ryan Williams and Isaiah Horton and produce the best stats of his career. He possesses good height and reach and can gain separation due to his quickness and route running chops. Bernard finished the 2024 campaign with 50 receptions / 794 yds (15.9 YPR) / 2 TDs.
· Nic Anderson / LSU. The redshirt junior missed most of last season with a quadricep injury but made his presence known in 2023 at Oklahoma when he made 38 receptions / 798 yds (21 YPR) / 10 TDs as a redshirt freshman. Anderson offers great size (6’4” / 208 lbs), a huge catch radius, great foot speed, and true game breaking ability. Anderson needs a fully healthy season but he could be poised to be a first round pick next April.
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