2026 Draft: WR

[manxman2601]

You know me, I like to get into the weeds on PFF and probably reading too much into it. Well today it's run blocking for WRs. It's important if we're looking at a potential Mack Hollins replacement because it's clearly something Vrabel and McDaniels clearly appreciate.

2024 first and nothing really stands out. No recognisable name higher than a 70 grade with Germie Bernard being the best at 68. Chris Bell, Jaden Greenhouse, Omar Cooper Jr (remember that name as he's been a bit of a star this year), Eric McAlister and Malachi Fields are all in the mid 60s.

Obviously it's early looking at 2025 but there is a better picture taking shape albeit a premature one. Denzel Boston leads draftable WRs with an almost 90 grade. Aaron Anderson of LSU who is 5'8", 188 is second best (props!) and Chris Bell third all with grades over 80. Carnell Tate, London Humphries (Georgia) and Elijah Sarratt are the only recognisable names in the seventies.

Chris Bell is consistently one of the better run blockers at WR. He's looking like a decent candidate right now. A bigger, stronger Kyle Williams.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think an offense featuring Chris Bell, Kyle Williams and TraVeyon Henderson would be very dynamic.

 

[manxman2601]

Plenty of evidence of Bell's strength, explosiveness and blocking ability in this video. My only real complaint is that I'd like to see more hand catching from him. I also want to see more production this year. We really need to see him close to, or at, the 1,000 yard mark by seasons end.

 

[dliverey44]

I think an offense featuring Chris Bell, Kyle Williams and TraVeyon Henderson would be very dynamic.

I just started watching Bell last night and oh my. I only watch highlight reels until later in the season and then did into games, but he looks like a playmaker

 

[manxman2601]

I'm trying to decide between Denzel Boston and Carnell Tate for my WR2.

In Boston's corner:

More traditional X
Looks bigger and stronger
Better in the RZ
Returns punts

In Tate's:

Slippier with the ball in hand
Better contested catch rate
More Hands catches
Better possession receiver
More fluid

Both have outstanding dropped catch percentages although I have seen Boston bobble a couple that he then caught. Both are worthy of mid to late first round picks with Boston perhaps more worthy of the mid round pick.

It's very close but I think Boston just gets the edge because of his size, he's reportedly a .10 quicker and I like him as a RZ weapon.


While I do want to see Chris Bell get his production up, defense in the first (maybe OL) and Bell in the 2nd may be the way to go if WR is a priority.

 

[mayoclinic]

While I do want to see Chris Bell get his production up, defense in the first (maybe OL) and Bell in the 2nd may be the way to go if he is in the BPA conversation.

Fixed it for you.

For me personally it's Jordyn Tyson 1A and Chris Bell 1B at WR, based on very limited film. I think if Tyler Shough was still at Louisville then Bell would be getting more production and buzz. I hope he stays a bit under the radar.

Right now, I think realistically it's Jordyn Tyson 1 followed by Makai Lemon, Denzel Boston and Carnell Tate in some order. Bell is in the next group somewhere, along with Ja'Kobi Lane, Antonio Williams, and a few others.

 

[manxman2601]

Fixed it for you.

For me personally it's Jordyn Tyson 1A and Chris Bell 1B at WR, based on very limited film. I think if Tyler Shough was still at Louisville then Bell would be getting more production and buzz. I hope he stays a bit under the radar.

Right now, I think realistically it's Jordyn Tyson 1 followed by Makai Lemon, Denzel Boston and Carnell Tate in some order. Bell is in the next group somewhere, along with Ja'Kobi Lane, Antonio Williams, and a few others.

I'm not ready to bet on Bell until I see that production. Ja'kobi Lane could surpass Boston and Tate. I don't think he's as complete as those two but the upside could be higher. It might come down to the combine for me. I think Tate, Boston and Lane are better right now than Bell but it's probably moot discussion because all three might struggle to make it to our 2nd round pick. Lemon is a different question. Have you watched Eric Rivers? He's tiny but electric, a la Brandin Cooks.

Don't get me wrong, I like Bell and his fit here - I just want to see it on the field.

Edit: Lane has two incredible one handed grabs on his highlight reel. I wouldn't mind betting he has large hands.

 

[mayoclinic]

Chris Bell vs. Pittsburgh:

 

[manxman2601]

My head says we don’t need another small WR but my heart is saying “draft Makai Lemon! Draft Makai Lemon!”

My head can easily be persuaded though. Lemon leads draftable WRs in receiving grade, yards, only has one drop on the year, is fourth in receptions, fourth in contested catches and 5th in TDs.

I was blown away by him yesterday and think he would become the best WR on the team in a year and potentially one of the best WRs in the league in the way Jaxson Smith-Njigba has been so far in '25.

 

[Clonamery]

Chris Bell vs. Pittsburgh:

Chris Bell was physical in a good way yesterday.

 

[mayoclinic]

My head says we don’t need another small WR but my heart is saying “draft Makai Lemon! Draft Makai Lemon!”

My head can easily be persuaded though. Lemon leads draftable WRs in receiving grade, yards, only has one drop on the year, is fourth in receptions, fourth in contested catches and 5th in TDs.

I was blown away by him yesterday and think he would become the best WR on the team in a year and potentially one of the best WRs in the league in the way Jaxson Smith-Njigba has been so far in '25.

Wouldn't be the worst thing.

I have Lemon WR3 after Tyson and Bell. It's a stylistic thing for me: Lemon makes people miss, Bell runs over them. Both good.

 

[manxman2601]

Wouldn't be the worst thing.

I have Lemon WR3 after Tyson and Bell. It's a stylistic thing for me: Lemon makes people miss, Bell runs over them. Both good.

For me it's:

First Round Grade

Jordyn Tyson
Makai Lemon

1st - 2nd

Denzel Boston
Carnell Tate

2nd

Chris Bell
Ja'Kobi Lane
Germie Bernard


Boston, Tate, Bell and Lane could change order quite easily. I give Boston and Tate a slight advantage because of their size. I'm not quite as high on Bell as you but it's close. I agree that he's a really good fit.

What really impressed me about Lemon yesterday was that he put the team on his back and elevated them almost single-handedly.

 

[mayoclinic]

I like Bell better as a fit because of his versatility and physicality. Kyle Williams can hopefully bring a lot of what Lemon offers. But Lemon is very good.

 

[manxman2601]

Makai Lemon comp. His career y/rr is 3.38 though.

 

[manxman2601]

If you want to see a receiving master class by Makai Lemon, watch this game USC v Illinois.



By the way, that Poster puts up quite a lot of full college games each week, including offence v defence splits.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

Thanks, Manx.

Bell has some Marshawn Lynch and Gronk in him. He punishes people. WR with an LB body and mentality to match. Can see him throwing some defenders out of the club.

 

[manxman2601]

Chris Brazzell might be my Tory Horton this year. Looks faster than Boston and Tate, a couple of good releases against press, a contested catch and a block in the EZ to boot.

 

[Clonamery]

Chris Brazzell might be my Tory Horton this year. Looks faster than Boston and Tate, a couple of good releases against press, a contested catch and a block in the EZ to boot.

He's good at finding the ball in the air.

 

[mayoclinic]

Do you still prefer Deontae Thornton?