The NFL continues to turn the page to the 2026 season, and the first big event on the calendar is the Scouting Combine.
This week-long event in Indianapolis gives NFL prospects an opportunity to showcase their skills to scouts and front-office members from across the league.
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Among the position groups taking the field Saturday are the wide receivers. As we approach the 2026 NFL Draft, it’s clear that this year’s wide receiver prospects boast some potential NFL stars.
There are 46 wide receivers in Indianapolis for the scouting combine but how many of those could be the next alpha for your favorite team? This group projects to be a deep class with 14 wideouts in our initial top 100 big board.
Here’s a look at which wide receivers are invited to the NFL combine this year plus USA TODAY Sports’ Ayrton Ostly provides his top 10 rankings at the position in 2026:
NFL draft prospects: WRs at the 2026 NFL Combine
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Vinny Anthony II, Wisconsin
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Denzel Boston, Washington
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Zachariah Branch, Georgia
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Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
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Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati
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Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
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Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech
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Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
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Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Kansas
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Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
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Donaven McCulley, Michigan
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Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech
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De’Zhaun Stribling, Mississippi
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J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida
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Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
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Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
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Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech
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Harrison Wallace III, Mississippi
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Jalen Walthall, Incarnate Word
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Antonio Williams, Clemson
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2026 NFL Draft: Top WRs
1. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Scouting report: Tyson entered the year as the top wide receiver prospect and has done nothing to change that. He’s a sudden mover who can create space at will against defenders. His route-running is impressive at this stage of his development. His lone knock is a lack of elite speed but there’s so much versatility, ball skills and playmaking to love in a 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame.
NFL comparison: Shades of Brandon Aiyuk, Stefon Diggs
2. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Scouting report: Tate looks poised to be the next first-round receiver out of Columbus. He boasts impressive size and route running at 6-3 and 190 pounds. While he’s not a burner, he dominates on vertical routes thanks to his elite contested catch ability (85.7% contested catch rate in 2025). He’s one of the most sure-handed players in the class; he didn’t drop any of his 66 targets in 2025.
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NFL comparison: Chris Olave, bigger DeVonta Smith
3. Makai Lemon, USC
Scouting report: Lemon isn’t an impressive athlete and won’t test off the charts at the combine but he has an incredible feel for finding space in coverage and maximizing opportunities. His solid frame (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) should hold up in the slot at the NFL level. He had just two drops in 2025 on 108 targets and a 130.0 quarterback rating when targeted.
NFL comparison: Amon-Ra St. Brown
4. Denzel Boston, Washington
Scouting report: Boston is an ideal outside wide receiver at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds who wins with physicality at the catch point. He’s quick but not fast and tracks the ball downfield extremely well. He can be a red zone target sooner than later and will keep up in the NFL thanks to his route running. His physicality translates as a run blocker as well which will endear him to many evaluators.
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NFL comparison: Shades of Puka Nacua, slower Rome Odunze
5. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Scouting report: Dynamic weapon in the open field with immediate value as a returner. Makes plays in space against defenders thanks to his mix of quickness and long speed. Tracks the ball very well downfield. Smaller frame and drops are his only knocks.
NFL comparison: Jayden Reed, Luther Burden III
6. Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Scouting report: Elite size with the burst and verticality NFL teams covet on the outside. Can operate underneath as well despite his long levers. Not an after-catch threat but his size makes him a near-lock in contested catch situations.
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NFL comparison: Martavis Bryant, Christian Watson without long speed
7. Germie Bernard, Alabama
Scouting report: Bernard won’t wow you with one trait or his athleticism but he does pretty much everything well. Smooth athlete who can transition weight and flip his hips quickly. Size means he can operate in the slot or outside. Good play strength with ideal football IQ.
NFL comparison: Shades of Jarvis Landry, Robert Woods
8. Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
Scouting report: Great size and experience outside but has taken snaps from the slot as well. Excellent run blocker for the position. Earned the nickname “Waffle House” from teammates because he’s “always open.” Dependable hands with ideal timing and route-running. Lacks elite athleticism but makes up for it with a feel for finding holes in zone coverage, especially on in-breaking routes.
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NFL comparison: Keenan Allen, JuJu Smith-Schuster
9. Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Scouting report: Undersized wide receiver who may be forced to a slot-only role. Offers game-changing speed, acceleration and elusiveness in the open field. Alignment is versatile, as he was used in the backfield at times with Georgia. Offers immediate returner value. A burner in a class with few of them.
NFL comparison: Marvin Mims Jr., shades of faster Zay Flowers
10. Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
Scouting report: Big-bodied receiver who thrives on the boundary. Lacks elite speed and acceleration; wins on size and strength over speed. Strong hands and physical attitude after the catch. Body control comes up in the red zone and could become a go-to in contested catch situations.
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NFL comparison: Michael Pittman Jr., slower Brandon Marshall
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL combine: Tyson, Tate lead WR invitees and rankings
