Best available WR in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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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.
Best available WR in 2026 NFL 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 | 83 | Carolina |
| 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 | 25 | Bills |
| 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 | 136 | Saints |
| CJ Daniels | Miami | 6’2 | 205 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Cyrus Allen | Cincinnati | 5’11 | 180 | Rd 3-5 | 176 | Chiefs |
| 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 | 177 | Dolphins |
| 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 | 143 | Cardinals |
| 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 | 168 | Lions |
| Colbie Young | Georgia | 6’4 | 215 | Rd 5-7 | 140 | Bengals |
| 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 |
Social media reactions to WR selections in 2026 NFL Draft
Dolphins pick WR Kevin Coleman Jr. with No. 177 overall selection in 2026 NFL Drafthttps://t.co/1kUIcH8Dtopic.twitter.com/ulCs7M7YnZ
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 25, 2026
Another Bearcat on our roster 🐻
With the 176th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, we have selected WR @cyrusallen_! pic.twitter.com/mqU3pmwgYK
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 25, 2026
BREAKING: The #Ravens select Clemson RB Adam Randall with the 174th pick in the #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/LevEPzwarx
— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) April 25, 2026
Lions trade up to select WR Kendrick Law with No. 168 overall pick in 2026 NFL Drafthttps://t.co/6lQN7XNMNDpic.twitter.com/fDaXJKOskl
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 25, 2026
WR Reggie Virgil joins the Arizona Cardinals! pic.twitter.com/2RAAjjbXD3
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) April 25, 2026
From Australia to the Draft stage.
Fan of the Year Adrian Wood reveals the @Bengals pick of WR Colbie Young 🐅 @NFLAUNZ
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @nflpluspic.twitter.com/GubJhSvK2N— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
With the No. 136 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @Saints select Bryce Lance.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/lkC6G25nFa— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
UConn WR Skyler Bell is off the board‼️
Josh Allen gets a new weapon 🦬 pic.twitter.com/vtSpHFJAxN
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2026
With the 121st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, we select WR Kaden Wetjen. pic.twitter.com/0uiTTIXZxh
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 25, 2026
With the 115th overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @Ravens select WR Elijah Sarratt.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/i7xWqGRpbG— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
If you liked Tez Johnson last year you will LOVE Mississippi St. WR Brenen Thompson
– 5’9
– 164 lbs (Tez is 154)
– 4.26 40 yd dash w/ a top speed of 23.95 mph (T-5th all time)2025 stats:
– 57 REC
– 1054 YDS (school record)
– 18.5 YPR
– 7 total TDs
– 17.9 yd aDOT
– 5… pic.twitter.com/xPHmUw9FC1— OTL (@otl_ff) April 8, 2026
THE PICK IS IN ✉️
With the 94th overall pick in the #NFLDraft, the @MiamiDolphins select Chris Bell. pic.twitter.com/hvf4IX4lAs
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) April 25, 2026
With the 89th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bears select Zavion Thomas, WR from LSU. pic.twitter.com/jbk2MEEGyM
— Preme Football (@premefootball) April 25, 2026
Welcome to the Krewe, Ted Hurst 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/knh3pJoKD2
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 25, 2026
Adding some Brazzell dazzle@budlight | #NFLDRAFTpic.twitter.com/rvhcJ20DLB
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2026
With the No. 80 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @Ravens select Ja’Kobi Lane.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/T3p8avOIdw— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
Zachariah Branch is staying in Georgia 🍑
The Falcons select the former Bulldogs WR at No. 79 overall. pic.twitter.com/RXubcNXdnH
— ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2026
Got another Red Raider 👊
With the 75th pick, we have selected Caleb Douglas from @TexasTechFBpic.twitter.com/gIWMtyu4jV
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 25, 2026
The Giants just got a DAWG in Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields pic.twitter.com/g7HOJe6o0M
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) April 25, 2026
Time to Raise Hail, Tone.
Welcome to the Washington @Commanders, Antonio Williams!#ALLIN | #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/m4yKIvh3Xt
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) April 25, 2026
Ja’Kobi Lane is the best available WR according to ESPN’s draft tracker.
Alabama WR Germie Bernard is headed to Pittsburgh 😤
Steelers continue to add to a revamped WR room pic.twitter.com/2IpmSY0JlG
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 25, 2026
With the No. 47 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @steelers select Germie Bernard.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/ddoQNJN9yw— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2026
Receiver room gets another boost!
Denzel Boston, welcome to the squad pic.twitter.com/rQ0AVIoNqR
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 24, 2026
With the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @49ers select De’Zhaun Stribling.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/OPArzCWe7V— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
The @nyjets trade back into the first round to take @IndianaFootball WR Omar Cooper Jr.!
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/17GDbEf2rL— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
With the No. 24 pick, KC Concepcion is headed to the @Browns!
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/ePU1EdD5Ez— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
The @Eagles trade up to the 20th pick and select Makai Lemon from @uscfb!
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/k0ARwfiTMv— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
Jordyn Tyson is overcome with emotion as he walks up to the stage at the NFL Draft 🥹 pic.twitter.com/erj7Cf0XmN
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 24, 2026
.@PatMcAfeeShow and the boys were loving the Titans’ selection of Carnell Tate 👏 pic.twitter.com/aS5Nqr0ysU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 24, 2026
2026 NFL Draft How to Watch
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.