Twelfthmandraft's Thanksgiving Top 8 WRs

Who are the premier pass-catchers headlining the 2026 draft class?

Viewed as a very weak wide receiver class at the dawn of the 2026 college football season, the narrative has begun to shift with several quality seasons shooting prospects up draft boards. Where do the top prospects of this year stand in relation to elite talents of years past? Let's find out which new faces might be partnering with your QB next fall.

1. K.C. Concepcion - JR - Texas A&M

   
   

Background:

A four-star recruit, Concepcion committed to local NC State in 2023. He was used in a number of ways for the Wolfpack, from lined up in the slot to the backfield to even taking snaps at wildcat QB. Concepcion transferred to play for the Aggies this year, and has shined both as a receiver as well as in the return game. With nearly 1200 all-purpose yards at the time of writing, he was named a finalist for the 2025 Paul Hornung award for the most versatile player in college football.

Strengths:

• Top-notch all around athlete who figures to blow up at the Combine in March

• Natural hands catcher who makes the most of his size

• Explosive mover who separates through timing and rapid change of direction

• Excellent at creating for himself after the catch

• Offers plus return value as well as utilization on the ground

Weaknesses:

• Limited length can hinder him versus press coverage

• Lacks requisite physicality at times at the catch point

• Needs more nuance to route-running, preferring to rely on athleticism

Outlook:

Concepcion is a player who wowed me pretty instantly when I turned on his tape, with his athleticism on full display every play. Despite that, he offers plenty of polish as well, being more developed in the fine details of the position than many prospects. I view Concepcion as the perfect complement to a young QB, as a player who can move the chains on a regular basis and also serve as a threat to break the game open on any snap.

Grade: Top 10

Player Comparison: Stefon Diggs

2. Jordyn Tyson - RSJR - Arizona State

Background:

Tyson originally committed to Colorado as a 3-star recruit in 2022. After a promising true freshman year, a brutal knee injury sidelined him for all of 2023 and prompted him to transfer to play for the Sun Devils. In 2024, he formed a deadly tandem with QB Sam Leavitt, although he missed the back half of the season with another injury. His brother Jaylon was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA in 2024.

Strengths:

• Highly productive target who was over 1100 receiving yards last season despite injuries

• Natural playmaker who is solid at finishing catches through traffic

• Smooth mover who readily takes advantage of defensive mismatches

• Versatile- has taken plenty of snaps lined up both in the slot as well as out wide

Weaknesses:

• Lacks high-end explosiveness or long speed, even considering his larger frame

• Could be a bit better at making defenders miss after the catch

• Injuries are a concern, with Tyson missing at least some time each of the last 3 years

Outlook:

Tyson isn't the flashiest player, but NFL GMs will appreciate his tough and smart playing style. A high-IQ target, Tyson is a dependable target who can win on all 3 levels of the field. If Tyson can do a better job staying on the field in the pro game, he seems poised to have a long and successful career for the team that takes him in 2026.

Grade: Mid 1st Round

Player Comp: Jakobi Meyers

3. Makai Lemon - JR- USC

Background:

Lemon starred early on in high school, named a 2023 Under Armor All American as well as a finalist for the Polynesian Player of the Year award. He played sparingly his true freshman year, but broke out to lead the Trojans in 2024 with 764 receiving yards and 3 scores. Lemon has ascended again this season, making himself a candidate for the Biletnikoff award at the end of the year.

Strengths:

• Good awareness of defense to find soft spots in coverage

• Unbelievable toughness to go up and make highlight grabs through traffic

• Willing and high-effort blocker when needed in the run game

• Has a knack for game-changing plays and red zone work- high IQ player

Weaknesses:

• Diminutive size likely restricts him to the slot in an NFL offense

• Pretty limited athlete- lacks high-end twitch/explosiveness as well as long speed

• Not a guy who can win over the top and threaten defenses vertically

Outlook:

Everyone loves a standard 6'4 outside threat, but high-IQ slot weapons in the mold of Lemon and my next player are just as valuable in today's NFL. Lemon's calling card is his ability to work the middle of the field, donating many a big play for USC this season. In the right situation, Lemon has the potential to be a terrifying weapon to carry the day in down to the wire matchups.

Grade: Late 1st Round

Player Comp: Cooper Kupp

4. Antonio Williams - RSJR- Clemson

Background:

Williams, a 4-star recruit, started at Clemson in 2022 and immediately made noise as a true freshman. Despite being limited to 4 games in 2023 with injuries, he bounced back as a redshirt sophomore, generating draft buzz in a breakout Tigers season before electing to return for a final year. He again was sidelined in week 1 this year with a hamstring injury, but has returned to the field in recent weeks.

Strengths:

• A+ explosiveness and foot quickness enables him to generate early separation on routes

• Excellent ball tracking skills working deeper routes

• Generally good hands, doesn't drop very often

• Good at working back to the QB under pressure

Weaknesses:

• likely a slot-only guy in the pro game

• needs added nuance at times running out breaking routes, relying on explosiveness currently

• Not particularly gifted in getting yards after the catch

• Has repeatedly missed time with injuries

Outlook:

There's a lot to like with Williams' game, as he knows how to regularly put DBs in fits and use the coverage to his advantage. For what he does well, his upside is capped by his size and long speed at the NFL level. Regardless, Williams should shine as the second option in a Shanahan style offense, utilizing mismatches to find creases in opposing defenses.

Grade: Late 1st Round

Player Comp: Khalil Shakir

5. Elijah Sarratt - SR - Indiana

Background:

A two-way player in high school, Sarratt began his college career at Saint Francis University. Following that, he transferred to James Madison and broke out, recording 1191 receiving yards and 9 scores and being named first team All Sun Belt as a true sophomore. His second transfer led him to the Hoosiers, where he has been the top receiver for a likely 2 straight CFP runs, with quarterbacks Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza.

Strengths:

• Above average route-runner for his size, attacks coverage well to force separation

• Not a true deep threat but comfortable making grabs down the field

• Very good body control to contort on the sideline for catches

• High football IQ shows up on tape

Weaknesses:

• Limited explosiveness both on routes and after the catch

• Not the greatest in true contested catch situations

• Needs more work as a blocker

Outlook:

Sarratt is about as complete a prospect as you'll find this year, with his extra experience as a senior coming in handy in that department. While his athleticism is a question mark, he is technically sound and fits well onto most teams as a dependable X target. All things considered, I would feel comfortable selecting Sarratt at the top of Day 2, especially for my Saints with a huge need for a big-bodied guy.

Grade: High 2nd Round

Player Comp: Michael Pittman Jr.

6. Carnell Tate - JR - Ohio State

Background:

Tate committed to Ohio State in 2023 as a four-star recruit coming from Chicago. He played sparingly his true freshman year, and even in 2024 was usually a backup option behind stars Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. He has looked like a star this year though, catching passes from young QB Julian Sayin and being a big part of the Buckeyes' success in 2025.

Strengths:

• Very fluid mover with easy change of direction and speed for his size

• Can win well on deep balls with strong body control

• Generates after the catch solidly with good cuts and jukes

• Able blocker with a high motor

Weaknesses:

• Needs plenty more detail to his routes, particularly in-breaking ones

• Prone to taking plays off at times, as well as lacking play strength on occasion

• Not a burner- lacks the speed to take the top off a defense

Outlook:

Likely the most controversial opinion in this ranking, Tate is a very solid player but falls short for me in relation to other WRs in the class. He is a great athlete and has all the tools to be a top receiver in the league, but route-running inefficiencies have me concerned for his role should he land on the wrong team. Overall, I still think Tate has every chance to make me regret having him this low in the class in the future.

Grade: Mid 2nd Round

Player Comp: Michael Wilson

7. Chris Brazzell II - RSJR - Tennessee

Background:

Brazzell started out at Tulane as a three star recruit. He ended up redshirting year 1, but bounced back to lead the Green Wave in year 2 before transferring to play for the Volunteers. He started 9 games in 2024 but has really taken off this season with the departure of most of the Tennessee depth chart at the position, serving as the top target for QB Joey Aguilar and a big part of the Vols' success this year.

Strengths:

• Huge frame even for NFL standards at 6'5 200, and has the explosiveness and speed to go with it.

• Has elite body control and tracks the ball well enough to make him a big weapon down the field

• very solid movement skills for the size is a bonus when it comes to separation on shorter concepts

Weaknesses:

• not a particularly refined route runner in terms of footwork

• lean frame raises some durability concerns

• Effort has been highlighted as an issue when the ball doesn't come his way

Outlook:

WRs with the size and explosiveness seen in Brazzell's game are rare even in the pros, and while the Vols produced a similar guy just last season in Dont'e Thornton, I think Brazzell will likely be an even better player in the future. He is by no means a finished product, but he understands the intricacies of the WR position a lot better than many other "raw" WRs do coming out. Overall, I'd bet on Brazzell being the guy to finally break the streak of Tennessee receivers not working out in the league, having a solid starting career.

Grade: Mid 2nd Round

Player Comp: Christian Watson

8. Germie Bernard - SR - Alabama

Background:

Bernard, only the second senior on this list, began his college career at Michigan State, but transferred to Washington after one disappointing season. At Washington, he served as the WR4 on the second best team in the country behind Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan before following HC Kalen Deboer to the Crimson Tide. Bernard has had a strong 2025 season and been named a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff, even outproducing a future stud in Ryan Williams.

Strengths:

• Plays with a top-notch understanding of how to be a friendly target for his QB, adept at finding the soft spots in zones and working back under pressure

• good play strength ensures that press coverage is not an issue

• very good route-running for his size, master at the finer details of creating separation

• Hands are not amazing but few drops on tape

Weaknesses:

• Does not possess extra speed to stretch the field and open up underneath passing lanes

• Similarly, limited in terms of producing more with the ball in his hands

• Good but not great body control on balls thrown outside his frame

Outlook:

Bernard already has many of the qualities you'd expect to be developed in the league, cementing himself as a dependable option through his route-running and savviness on the field. That said, what you see is likely what you get in the future, with limited athleticism providing a cap on what he can do for you to truly change a game. That said, Bernard is probably one of if not the highest floor guy in the class, and I would be pretty shocked if he didn't hold down a producing role for a long time in the NFL.

Grade: Late 2nd Round

Player Comp: Romeo Doubs

Honorable Mentions:

These are some players who have pro-level capabilities, but are limited in some areas that kept them off the main list.

Malachi Fields - RSSR - Notre Dame

Virginia transfer has excellent size to play on the perimeter and utilizes body control to win well downfield. Older prospect who could be served to add more long speed and ability after the catch.

Grade: High 3rd Round

Player Comp: Cedric Tillman

Denzel Boston - RSJR - Washington

Prototype size for an X wideout and has solid nuance in terms of route-running, but lacks even requisite NFL speed and is a very limited athlete. Profiles as a solid possession receiving option.

Grade: High 3rd Round

Player Comp: Keon Coleman

Chris Bell - SR - Louisville

Big-bodied target who has produced brilliant numbers through a blend of juice and power to fly down the field. Not fully there with quickness and lateral agility and needs more consistency with his hands.

Grade: Mid 3rd Round

Zachariah Branch - JR - Georgia

USC transfer is a true reincarnation of the Flash, almost impossible to bring down when given space both as a receiver and return man. Undersized frame will always raise questions, and not a good enough route runner to be effective beyond schemed touches

Grade: Late 3rd Round

Omar Cooper Jr. - JR - Indiana

Dynamic athlete with good explosiveness and unbelievable body control (game winner vs PSU) gives Cooper a high ceiling as a slot option. Needs to drastically improve play strength and tune up his routes to give himself best chance of success.

Grade: Late 3rd Round