College Football's Top 10 WRs for 2026 NFL Draft

Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson lead the way in NBC Sports' rankings

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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NBC Sports' College Football and NFL Draft expert Eric Froton has compiled his rankings of the top 10 wide receivers eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft. The class is headlined by high-efficiency playmakers and elite size, with Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson topping the list.

Why it matters

The wide receiver position is one of the deepest and most talented in the 2026 NFL Draft class, with several players projected as potential first-round picks. These rankings provide valuable insight for NFL teams and fans alike as they prepare for the upcoming draft.

The details

Froton's top 10 wide receivers include Alabama's Germie Bernard, USC's Ja'Kobi Lane, Georgia's Zachariah Branch, Clemson's Antonio Williams, Louisville's Chris Bell, Texas A&M's Kevin Concepcion, Washington's Denzel Boston, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, and USC's Makai Lemon. The list is headlined by Ohio State's Carnell Tate, who Froton describes as a "high-floor, high-efficiency NFL X/Z hybrid who can step into a starting role immediately."

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Carnell Tate

A 6'3", 195-pound wide receiver from Ohio State, Tate emerged as one of college football's most efficient perimeter separators in 2025, posting a 51-catch, 875-yard, 9-touchdown season with a 76.1% catch rate and no drops.

Jordyn Tyson

The 6'2", 195-pound wide receiver from Arizona State commanded 100 targets in 2025, turning them into 61 catches for 711 yards and 8 touchdowns while showcasing versatility by splitting reps between the outside and slot.

Makai Lemon

The 5'11", 195-pound wide receiver from USC emerged as the Trojans' most reliable chain-moving target in 2025, posting a 79-catch, 1,156-yard, 11-touchdown season with a 71.8% catch rate and 63.3% first-down conversion rate.

Zachariah Branch

The 5'10", 180-pound slot receiver from Georgia caught 81 of 93 targets for 811 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025, showcasing elite after-the-catch ability with 7.8 YAC per reception.

Germie Bernard

The 6'1", 204-pound wide receiver from Alabama is a rugged, versatile weapon known for his reliability, posting 80th-percentile-plus drop grades in all four seasons.

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What they’re saying

“Carnell Tate emerged in 2025 as one of college football's cleanest and most efficient perimeter separators, turning 67 targets into 51 receptions for 875 yards (17.2 YPR) and 9 touchdowns with a 76.1% catch rate.”

— Eric Froton, College Football and NFL Draft Expert (nbcsports.com)

“Jordyn Tyson's ball skills showed up with a strong 60.7% first-down rate per reception and minimal ball-security issues (1.0% drop rate, 0 fumbles), helping drive passing efficiency despite a modest 61% catch rate.”

— Eric Froton, College Football and NFL Draft Expert (nbcsports.com)

What’s next

Tomorrow, NBC Sports will publish Froton's rankings of the top tight ends eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The 2026 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented wide receivers, led by Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson. These rankings showcase the depth and diversity of the position, with players offering a range of skills and profiles that will appeal to NFL teams looking to upgrade their passing attacks.