2026 Draft: WR

[manxman2601]

Do you still prefer Deontae Thornton?

No. Brazzell looks to have a more diverse route tree and better WR skills.

 

[manxman2601]

Best contested catch receiver in CFB?

 

[manxman2601]

Ian Strong highlights. He doesn't look to be the fastest, but this is an alpha-X. He's just bigger and, dare I say, stronger than your CB. A definite RZ weapon.

 

[mayoclinic]

Not at the Chris Bell level, but a nice later alternative, along with Malachi Fields.

 

[manxman2601]

I was down on the WR class early, but if we plan to take a WR in the first couple of days, although I doubt it, this is shaping up to be a really nice class. No elite talent, but a number of WR 2s at least, with WR 1 potential.

 

[manxman2601]

Not at the Chris Bell level, but a nice later alternative, along with Malachi Fields.

I don't think he's as fast or as athletic as Bell and is less of a truck to bring down, but he might be a better RZ threat and contested catch receiver.

 

[manxman2601]

My current WR ranks

Top 15

Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

It's hard for me to single out that one compelling aspect of his game that sells me on him. I think he's a culmination of a number of good traits rather than excelling in one thing. He's an easy, smooth mover which is what I enjoy the most. He's not the tallest, he's not the fastest and he does have some drops but he wins with separation and enough athleticism and that's what matters the most.


First Round

Makai Lemon, USC

My favourite prospect in this draft so far and other than Rueben Bain, it's not close. He's everything you want from a WR other than height and 4.3 speed. A shifty Emeka Egbuka. I'm struggling to think of a WR I've liked more* (bear in mind I missed the last few years so didn't watch the current crop of WR stars). Lemon will join them. Looove him!

1st - 2nd Round

Denzel Boston
Carnell Tate
Ja'Kobi Lane

Things get much more murky now. I give these three the edge over Chris Bell purely based upon height. They have more of the X-receiver build. I can't really separate the three of them and I think it will take the Senior Bowl and combine to do so. I'm not completely sold on them as first round WRs.

2nd Round

Chris Bell, Louisville
Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

Bell's not the accomplished receiver AJ Brown was and he's not quite as explosive as Kyle Williams, but if you were to combine the two into one receiver, this is what you end up with . A strong year and he could jump the three above.

Brazzell could match or jump the three above. I need to see more film but I've liked what I've seen so far.



2nd - 3rd Round

Ian Bell, Rutgers
Germie Bernard, Alabama
Eric Singleton Jr, Auburn

All 3 have merit but they're just not at the level of those above. I can make round 2 arguments for all of them though.



3rd Round

Elijah Sarratt, Indiana

He has everything I love about a WR except the requisite speed.



Day 2 - Day 3

Malachi Fields, Notre Dame

God I wish he was faster. Fantastic hands, fantastic size, fantastic catch radius, but he comes across almost as a WR/TE hybrid. His size and catch radius will get him receptions, but he'll probably have a defender draped all over him when he does.

* Maybe Terry McLaurin?

 

[manxman2601]

Okay. This is the type of thing that wins me over.

 

[Clonamery]

PFN Moved Lemon to 16

 

[manxman2601]

PFN Moved Lemon to 16

I can see the Pats picking at 16

 

[mayoclinic]

Okay. This is the type of thing that wins me over.

I see Bell and Kenyon Sadiq as the 2 guys this year who could bring a physical dimension that we haven't had since Gronk. I think that would add a huge element to the offense.

I'm a defense guy, but Imagine an offense with:

X - Chris Bell
Z - Kyle Williams
Slot - Stefon Diggs
TE - Kenyon Sadiq
RB - TreVeyon Henderson

Nasty

 

[manxman2601]

I see Bell and Kenyon Sadiq as the 2 guys this year who could bring a physical dimension that we haven't had since Gronk. I think that would add a huge element to the offense.

I'm a defense guy, but Imagine an offense with:

X - Chris Bell
Z - Kyle Williams
Slot - Stefon Diggs
TE - Kenyon Sadiq
RB - TreVeyon Henderson

Nasty

Sign a free agent pass rusher and I'd be fine with that.

 

[mayoclinic]

Could also do some nasty power sets with Bell, Sadiq, and Hunter Henry.

 

[manxman2601]

Could also do some nasty power sets with Bell, Sadiq, and Hunter Henry.

Sadiq has also shown that he can line up as a lead blocker in the backfield too.

 

[manxman2601]

Is this why you draft Carnell Tate? That's a pretty stellar lineup of wide receivers coming to the NFL.

 

[mayoclinic]

2026 NFL Draft: Top 5 sleeper wide receivers to watch include fits for 49ers & Saints

While prospects like Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate are grabbing headlines for the 2026 NFL Draft, several mid- to late-round receivers could quickly make an imp

nflmocks.com

 

[manxman2601]

I'm still a little fixated on what Vrabel said about wanting a WR with good contested catch abilities. So looking at where some of the bigger receivers are at the quarter point on contested catch rate

Carnell Tate - 83%
Ian Strong - 78.6%
Makai Lemon - 75% (not a bigger WR but holy hell!)
Ja'Kobi Lane - 67%
Chris Brazzell - 60%
Denzel Boston - 60%
Chris Bell - 57%
Jordyn Tyson - 50%
Elijah Sarratt - 37.5%
Malachi Fields - 42.5%*

It's a strong contested catch group so far this year.

* I watched Malachi Fields last night and I came away really disappointed. He had some good catches but at 6'4", 222 with those hands and catch radius he should be dominating and he really didn't. He was up against TAMU's Will Lee who is currently considered a day 2 pick at corner but those are the kind of matchups Fields should be winning more often than not to be a serious consideration for an NFL X. He probably won as many as he lost. I want to love him but I just don't yet. He should be a lock to be a 1,000 yard receiver.

 

[BobDigital]

This is what he looks like when he is good though.

The problem with this isn't just the body catch, though that is an issue. When i look at players like this one of the key things i look at is fluidity, coordination and sharpness. The are not really measurable things but you know them when you see them.

I said before the year started i had him curently ranked as an UDFA.. That he didn't just look raw. he looked wrong. That i just didn't see it.
At this point, i still don't. Maybe he moved from UDFA to 7th round pick. But he looks so bad. He not only catches the ball into his chest, he looks like he fights it. He seems stiff and kind of stumbles and goes off balance. For a moment you almost think catching this perfectly thrown ball will cause him to fall over. All he showed here is he is big and can run in a straight line really fast. None of his other plays this year have impressed me much either. Mostly just running out and using his speed to make DBs back up then sitting down in a zone to catch things at a stand still.

I have to say this is one of the worst 60 yard TD catches i have even seen. I know Captain Jack Sparrow would say 'yes, but it still a 60 yard TD catch'. But i don't see his game translating. I more or less still have the same concerns about him before the year started. And while progress is being made, he still looks like his body is not really built to move the ways the NFL will want him to move. So i would still basically pass on him for any pick before the 200s. Maybe then take a shot.

 

[mayoclinic]

Happy with Nyck Harbor in the 7th. Moonshot.

Great athlete, terrible football player. But small chance he can be coached up.

Also happy if someone takes him early.

 

[manxman2601]

Chase Roberts, BYU, 6-4, 210

Probably a day 3 pick unless he times well at the combine. Had a 4-161 yard game against Virgina Tech last night and has a season yards/reception of 19 this year. He's older at 24.

Scouting Report: Summary​

Roberts brings the kind of reliable production that offensive coordinators covet, particularly in systems that emphasize possession receiving and red zone efficiency. His 6'4" frame paired with excellent hands creates obvious value in scoring situations, while his route-running improvements suggest he's still developing despite his advanced age. The film shows a receiver who understands leverage and timing, making him an attractive option for teams seeking a complementary piece rather than a true number one option.

The biggest question mark surrounding Roberts isn't his talent - it's his ceiling at 24 years old. While his missionary service explains the age discrepancy, NFL decision-makers will debate whether he's a finished product or still has untapped potential. His best fit appears to be in systems that utilize bigger receivers in specific packages, similar to how teams have deployed players like Mike Williams or Chris Godwin. Roberts' reliability and clutch-play history suggest he could carve out a meaningful role as a possession receiver who excels in critical moments.

Teams drafting Roberts should view him as a high-floor, moderate-ceiling prospect who can contribute immediately in certain packages while potentially developing into a reliable secondary target. His leadership qualities and work ethic make him an easy fit culturally, but his age and athletic limitations probably cap his upside as anything more than a solid complementary player. The smart money says he goes somewhere in the middle rounds to a team that values reliability over explosive potential.

Chase Roberts Wide Receiver BYU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 80.9 Rank: #33 Forty: 4.64 Roberts is not going to separate from NFL corners the way he did in the Big 12. The combine confirmed that, and you can see it on tape when he faces pres...

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