2026 NFL Draft Preview: Top 12 College Wide Receivers to Watch

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While the 2025 NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror, it's never too early to look ahead to next year's draft class. Unfortunately, Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Alabama's Ryan Williams aren't eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.

As a result, the next wide receiver draft class won’t have a standout top pick. However, there are multiple skilled prospects within this year’s crop of receivers.

Let's explore the early 2026 NFLDraft top 12 wide receiver rankings.

No. 12 - Makai Lemon, USC

Finishing up our list is Lemon, who emerged as a standout performer last year. In 2024, he topped the charts for our team’s wide receivers, securing the most catches (52) and garnering the highest yardage total (764). Despite these impressive stats, he managed just three touchdown receptions. With Zachariah Branch moving to Georgia, Lemon might experience an even more remarkable season in 2025.

Sadly, USC's attack has not been the same since their loss. Caleb Williams Thanksfully, Miller Moss moved to Louisville, which provided Jayden Maiava an opportunity to secure the full-time starting position. Lemon possesses reliable catching skills and excels when making plays after receiving the ball. He might become one of the premier wide receivers in the Big Ten by 2025.

No. 11 -; Nic Anderson from LSU

Even though Aaron Anderson leads as the premier wideout at LSU, Nic Anderson will also be part of the lineup this season. After transferring from Oklahoma, where he saw action in just a single game due to a quadriceps injury, Nic made an impressive mark during the 2023 campaign with 38 catches for 798 receiving yards along with 10 touchdown scores.

Fortunately, Anderson is fit and adds muscle to an intimidating Tigers lineup now that Garrett Nussmeier is at quarterback. Different from his namesake on the team, this ex-Oklahoma standout possesses size and power, along with the ability to create opportunities downfield.

No. 10 -; Malachi Fields, University of Notre Dame

Following Notre Dame’s failure to clinch the national championship in the previous season, the Fighting Irish bolstered their roster through the transfer portal. Their most significant acquisition might have been Fields. Over his four-year tenure at Virginia, he amassed 129 catches for 1,849 receiving yards and scored 11 touchdowns across 36 appearances.

Moreover, Fields is a physically imposing wide receiver who can make significant plays when the ball is in the air. During his consecutive seasons at Virginia, he accumulated more than 800 receiving yards and scored five touchdowns each year. It’s expected that Fields will be the initial Notre Dame wide receiver chosen on Day 2 since then. Chase Claypool in 2020.

No. 9 -; Aaron Anderson from LSU

LSU might have one of the best passing attacks in college football this coming season with Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback. Anderson is expected to be the team’s clear primary target in the aerial assault. Mason Taylor heading to the NFL. In his second year, Anderson had a standout season.

The skilled wideout topped the Tigers in catches (61) and receiving yards (884), ranking second in TDs with five. Despite his compact size, Anderson possesses explosiveness and has shown an ability to create significant plays. It wouldn’t be out of place for people to draw parallels between him and other notable athletes. Tank Dell this year.

No. 8 -; Zachariah Branch from Georgia

In the previous year, Georgia had difficulty maintaining possession of the ball, topping the Southeastern Conference with 36 drops. This significantly contributed to their playoff defeat against Notre Dame. However, this issue should not recur in 2025 as the squad has brought in several wide receivers via the transfer portal, among them Branch.

The Bulldogs' branch is set to begin in 2025, with Gunner Stockton potentially emerging as his primary wideout. Despite being part of a fluctuating USC attack last season, he managed 47 catches for 503 receiving yards along with one touchdown. Keep an eye out; Branch might have a standout year and could land among the first 50 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

No. 7 -; Eric Singleton Jr., from Auburn

After spending the last two years at Georgia Tech, Singleton has moved on to Auburn. During his time with Georgia Tech, he excelled as a standout player, accumulating 104 catches for 1,468 receiving yards and scoring nine touchdowns across 24 games, despite being part of a fluctuating passing game.

There are lofty hopes surrounding Singleton within Auburn's offensive lineup. During the spring practices, he demonstrated impressive skills with reliable hands and the capability to power through tackles. Additionally, Singleton excels as an outstanding player overall. Per data from PFF, he ranks at approximately the 99th percentile when considering their athletic performance metrics.

No. 6 -Nyck Harbor, South Carolina

Do not be astonished if South Carolina ends the 2025 college football campaign ranked among the top ten teams and qualifies for the College Football Playoff (CFP). The previous year, they narrowly missed out on securing a spot in the playoffs; however, numerous predictions suggest that this could very well shift come next season. LaNorris Sellers stands as an under-the-radar contender who might clinch the Heisman Trophy and secure himself within the first five picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Furthermore, Harbor stands out as a promising breakout candidate. In the previous year, he managed 26 catches for 376 receiving yards along with three touchdown scores. Despite this, the emerging wideout demonstrated significant potential. Currently an unrefined talent evolving into a refined receiver, Harbor has the prospect of being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft should he have a standout season.

No. 5 -; Evan Stewart from Oregon

Stewart may not be a towering wide receiver, but he performs larger than his physique suggests. In his debut campaign with the Ducks last year, he made significant contributions, amassing 48 catches for 613 receiving yards along with five touchdowns. Furthermore, numerous observers anticipate an even more impressive performance from Stewart come the 2025 season.

Oregon lost Tez Johnson and Terrance Ferguson This year, they entered the NFL Draft. Last season, these players together had 126 catches for 1,489 receiving yards and scored 13 touchdowns. As a result, Stewart is expected to become the primary choice for passes within the team during the 2025 season. The Ducks unfortunately faced losses. Dillon Gabriel to the NFL, yet they boast a skilled lineup of quarterbacks.

No. 4 -; Denzel Boston from Washington

Recently, Washington has turned out numerous NFL-quality wide receivers. Rome Odunze , Ja'Lynn Polk , and Jalen McMillan All of them were selected as top 100 picks in 2024. The Huskies saw just one player get picked in 2025, landing in the seventh round as a linebacker. Nevertheless, if he has an impressive junior year, Boston stands a good chance of being chosen in the first round in 2026.

The previous year, the Washington Star experienced a remarkable season with 63 receptions amounting to 834 receiving yards and scoring nine touchdowns, topping all categories even though the quarterback performance was uneven at times. Despite his large stature as a wide receiver, Boston demonstrates great agility on the field. Additionally, he excels at making spectacular grabs near the sidelines.

No. 3 -; Carnell Tate from Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith was the top-wide receiver for Ohio State in 2024. Additionally, Emeka Egbuka was exceptional, amassing more than 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Tate put together a strong campaign, notching 52 catches for 733 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his role as the third wide receiver.

Although Smith will stay as the top wide receiver for the Buckeyes, Tate is set to take over as a starter. There are many who believe that Ohio State’s wideout could become a first-round draft choice in 2026 should he have an outstanding season this year. Despite his larger size, Tate excels at separating from defenders. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, he was among the best in terms of separation rate, ranking in the 93rd percentile with an impressive figure of 86.6% in 2024.

No. 2 -; Antonio Williams , Clemson

This coming season, the Tigers might dominate college football. Although Cade Klubnik shines on offense, he benefits from having two outstanding wideouts. It’s worth noting that T.J. Moore won’t be available for the NFL Draft till 2027. On another front, Williams had the option to enter the draft this year but decided to stay with the program.

In 2026, he could very well secure a spot as an early first-round draft choice, possibly even cracking the top 15. During his last campaign, Williams amassed 75 catches for 904 receiving yards along with 11 touchdowns, topping all categories for his team. Additionally, he topped the Atlantic Coast Conference charts in terms of receiving touchdowns. Known for his skillful routes, Williams excels at winning individual matchups time after time.

No. 1 -; Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State

The previous year marked Tyson’s standout performance at Arizona State after he transferred from Colorado in 2022. This was his initial complete season following the move. As the key player for Arizona State, Tyson concluded the year with 75 catches totaling 1,101 receiving yards along with scoring 10 touchdowns, topping all categories for the team. Additionally, Tyson is expected to play an even more significant part in 2025.

Arizona State lost their offensive leader. Cam Skattebo , into the NFL. As such, Tyson might have increased responsibilities this coming season. Last year, he developed a strong rapport with quarterback Sam Leavitt. By the end of the regular season’s last six games, Tyson dominated with 729 receiving yards, leading the nation. Currently, he is considered the frontrunner for being the top wide receiver selected in the draft.