The Seattle Seahawks captured the Super Bowl LX title for a variety of reasons, but one of the biggest was the play of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, Smith-Njigba proved just how impactful a playmaking No. 1 wideout can be for a team.
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Smith-Njigba was part of a 2023 NFL draft class that featured a cluster of wideouts all in the argument to be the top receiver off the board. When the Seahawks took Smith-Njigba from Ohio State at No. 20 overall, it launched a run of four straight receivers: Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston (Chargers), Zay Flowers (Ravens) and Jordan Addison (Vikings). A similar situation could play out in 2026, where there appears to be no clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver but several worthy aspirants to being the top wideout in the draft.
The combatants for the top WR in the draft class of 2026, listed in order of my ranking after the Super Bowl and before the NFL Scouting Combine:
Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) makes a catch for a touchdown Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Tate hails from the same Buckeyes program that produced Smith-Njigba, among many other quality NFL wideouts in recent years under offensive coach Brian Hartline, a former Ohio State and NFL wide receiver himself. Tate offers great length at a listed 6-foot-3 and an exceptional catch radius. While not a speedster, Tate consistently creates space for himself with outstanding footwork and precision to his routes. He can line up at any WR spot and win against all types of coverages.
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Playing strength and being leggy after the catch are the biggest knocks, though he is a very good blocker for not being strongly built. Of all the candidates here, Tate represents the highest floor in the NFL.
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In terms of top-end potential, Tyson rises to the top of the draft class. His size (6-2/200), strength, quickness, crafty route running and ability after the catch are all superlative. Tyson’s also a noted blocker and tone-setting leader. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to ignore all of Tyson’s injuries.
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He tore three knee ligaments as a freshman at Colorado, causing him to miss all of 2023. In 2024, Tyson missed time with a shoulder injury and also had issues staying on the field in 2025 with hamstring injuries. Tyson isn’t a receiver who wins with speed, but the repeated injuries cast legitimate doubt on how well his body can hold up without impacting his considerable physical ability.
Makai Lemon, USC
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
It’s perhaps too convenient to compare Lemon to former Trojan WR and current NFL All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown, but the similarities extend beyond the school and position. Like the Lions star, Lemon isn’t a speedster or blessed with great size. But the 5-11, 195-pounder exudes toughness in the slot and outside, with the ability to consistently get instantly open against all types of coverages. Lemon has exceptional hands and immediately transitions from receiver to runner quite well, too. If he learns to get off press coverage better and attack the ball on contested catches, Lemon has Pro Bowl potential.
KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) returns a punt during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
One of the big winners of the transfer portal last season, Concepcion expanded and elevated his all-around receiving game in his one season with the Aggies after beginning at North Carolina State. Texas A&M used him more as a field-stretching weapon on the outside and working across the field, and it suited the slender 5-11 speedster quite well.
Concepcion is electric with the ball in his hands, with exceptional stop-start ability and phone booth elusiveness. His speed is instant and dangerous. There are some drops, and Concepcion isn’t going to fight through a defender for a contested catch well. His growth arrow as a receiver is pointing way up, enough that he’s firmly in the top-25 conversation.
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Denzel Boston, Washington
Oct 18, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates after he makes a reception in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Teams looking for a bull of an outside receiver will like what they see in Boston. At 6-4 and over 200 listed pounds, Boston wins on the outside with strength but also impressive quickness. His feet and hips are unusually fluid for a receiver built like Boston. There are echoes of Texans star Nico Collins, though Boston isn’t as top-end fast and needs to work on getting out of his inside breaks quicker. As a bonus, Boston blocks like a tight end.