Early 2026 NFL Draft Projections and Prospect Rankings: Top 12 College Football Wide Receivers

Mike Fanelli's 2026 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings and projections. His top 12 WRs for 2026 and fantasy football rookies: Jordyn Tyson, Antonio Williams, Carnell Tate, and more.

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.

Therefore, the upcoming wide receiver draft class will lack an elite prospect. Yet, the wide receiver draft class has several talented candidates.

Let’s dive into an early 2026 NFL Draft top 12 wide receiver rankings.

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No. 12 – Makai Lemon, USC

Last on our list is Lemon, following his breakout season last year. He was the team’s top wide receiver in 2024, leading the squad in receptions (52) and receiving yards (764). However, the talented player only had three receiving touchdowns. Lemon could have a career season in 2025 with Zachariah Branch transferring to Georgia.

Unfortunately, USC’s offense hasn’t been the same since losing Caleb Williams to the NFL. Thankfully, Miller Moss transferred to Louisville, giving Jayden Maiava a chance to earn the full-time starting role. Lemon has strong hands and is dynamic after the catch. He could be one of the top wide receivers in the Big Ten in 2025.

No. 11 – Nic Anderson, LSU

While Aaron Anderson is the top wide receiver at LSU, Nic Anderson will join him this season. The former Oklahoma wide receiver only played in one game last year because of a quad injury. However, he had a breakout season in 2023, totaling 38 receptions for 798 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Thankfully, Anderson is healthy and joins a dangerous Tigers offense with Garrett Nussmeier under center. Unlike the other Anderson on the roster, the former Oklahoma star is big, physical, and can make plays downfield.

No. 10 – Malachi Fields, Notre Dame

After Notre Dame fell short of winning the national title last season, the Fighting Irish loaded up in the transfer portal. Arguably, their biggest addition was Fields. He spent the past four years at Virginia, totaling 129 receptions for 1,849 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 36 career games.

Furthermore, Fields is a big-bodied wide receiver capable of making plays when the ball is in the air. He had over 800 receiving yards and five touchdowns in back-to-back seasons at Virginia. Fields should be the first Notre Dame wide receiver selected on Day 2 since Chase Claypool in 2020.

Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields is a DBs worst nightmare

6’4” and 220 lbs

You do not want to be lined up 1v1 vs Fields ☘️
pic.twitter.com/V9f3N1ZefH

— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) May 3, 2025

No. 9 – Aaron Anderson, LSU

LSU could have one of the top passing offenses in college football this upcoming season with Garrett Nussmeier under center. Anderson should be the team’s unquestioned top option in the passing game with Mason Taylor off to the NFL. Last year, Anderson had a breakout season as a sophomore.

The talented wide receiver led the Tigers in receptions (61) and receiving yards (884) while finishing second in touchdowns (five). Anderson is a smaller receiver. Yet, he is explosive and capable of making big plays. Don’t be surprised if Anderson draws comparisons to Tank Dell this year.

No. 8 – Zachariah Branch, Georgia

Last year, Georgia struggled to hold onto the ball, leading the SEC with 36 dropped passes. It played a massive role in its playoff loss to Notre Dame. Thankfully, that won’t happen in 2025 after the team added multiple wide receivers through the transfer portal, including Branch.

Branch should start for the Bulldogs in 2025 and could be Gunner Stockton’s top wide receiver. He was productive last season despite playing on an inconsistent USC offense, totaling 47 receptions for 503 receiving yards and a touchdown. Don’t be surprised if Branch has a breakout year and becomes a top 50 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

No. 7 – Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn

Singleton heads to Auburn after playing the past two years at Georgia Tech. The former Yellow Jacket star had a productive career at Georgia Tech, totaling 104 receptions for 1,468 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 24 career games on an inconsistent passing attack.

Many have high expectations for Singleton in Auburn’s offense. He has shone during spring practice, showing off his strong hands and ability to play through contact. Furthermore, Singleton is an excellent athlete. According to PFF, he scored about the 99th percentile in its athleticism score metric.

"That's Unguardable 👀🤫"

🎥 Full 𝐌𝐢𝐜'𝐝 𝐔𝐩 with @EricSingletonJ2 is streaming now on https://t.co/KnwRDne4xT pic.twitter.com/fWdKJbUrEs

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) April 18, 2025

No. 6 – Nyck Harbor, South Carolina

Don’t be surprised when South Carolina finishes the 2025 college football season as a top-10 team and in the CFP. Last year, it fell short of making the postseason, but many expect that to change this upcoming season. LaNorris Sellers is a sleeper candidate to win the Heisman Trophy and be a top-5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

More importantly, Harbor is a popular breakout candidate. Last year, he had 26 receptions for 376 receiving yards and three touchdowns. However, the young wide receiver flashed massive upside. Harbor is a raw athlete transitioning into a more polished wide receiver. He could be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft with a breakout season.

No. 5 – Evan Stewart, Oregon

Stewart isn’t a big wide receiver. However, the Oregon star plays bigger than his body. Last year, he was productive in his first season with the Ducks, totaling 48 receptions for 613 receiving yards and five touchdowns. More importantly, many expect a massive 2025 season from Stewart.

Oregon lost Tez Johnson and Terrance Ferguson to the NFL Draft this year. They combined for 126 receptions for 1,489 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Therefore, Stewart will likely be the team’s No. 1 option in the passing game in 2025. The Ducks lost Dillon Gabriel to the NFL, but have a talented group of quarterbacks on the roster.

No. 4 – Denzel Boston, Washington

Washington has produced several NFL-caliber wide receivers lately. Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan were all top 100 picks in 2024. Unfortunately, the Huskies had only one player drafted in 2025, a seventh-round linebacker. However, Boston could be a first-round pick in 2026 with a strong junior season.

Last year, the Washington star had a breakout season, totaling 63 receptions for 834 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the team in every category despite inconsistent quarterback production. Boston moves well despite being a massive wide receiver. Furthermore, he can make impressive catches along the sideline.

Denzel Boston with CRAZY extension. #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/2vr0BnnszF

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) December 1, 2024

No. 3 – Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith was the best wide receiver for Ohio State in 2024. Furthermore, Emeka Egbuka was outstanding, totaling over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Yet, Tate had a solid season, recording 52 receptions for 733 receiving yards and four touchdowns as the No. 3 wide receiver.

While Smith will remain the Buckeyes’ No. 1 wide receiver, Tate will step up as a starter. Many expect the Ohio State wide receiver to be a first-round pick in 2026 if he has a breakout season. Tate is a talented separator despite being a bigger player. According to PFF, he ranked in the 93rd percentile in separation rate in 2024 (86.6%).

No. 2 – Antonio Williams, Clemson

The Tigers could be the best team in college football this upcoming season. While Cade Klubnik is the star on offense, he has two excellent wide receivers. Unfortunately, T.J. Moore isn’t NFL Draft eligible until 2027. However, Williams could have entered the draft this year but returned to school.

He should be a first-round pick in 2026, potentially a top-15 selection. Last season, Williams had 75 receptions for 904 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the team in every category. Furthermore, the Clemson star led the ACC in receiving touchdowns. Williams is a talented route runner who can consistently win in one-on-one situations.

No. 1 – Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Last year, Tyson had a breakout season for Arizona State. It was his first full season since transferring from Colorado in 2022. The Arizona State star ended last year with 75 receptions for 1,101 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the team in every category. Furthermore, Tyson should have an even larger role in 2025.

JORDYN TYSON, HIM 😈

📺 ESPN
📻 https://t.co/0CMltGmpCV pic.twitter.com/XI7jwukbpF

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) November 17, 2024

Arizona State lost the leader of the offense, Cam Skattebo, to the NFL. Therefore, Tyson could see even more work this upcoming season. He and quarterback Sam Leavitt had an outstanding connection last year. Tyson led the country with 729 receiving yards over the final six games of the regular season. He is the early favorite to be the top wide receiver drafted.

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