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As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, we’re breaking down position rankings individually based on the big boards of Yahoo Sports NFL Draft experts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald.
(Note: Germie Bernard and Zachariah Branch tied through every ranking methodology we used to determine the combined big board, so we left them tied at No. 7.)
More position rankings: QB
1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
A long-legged and fluid outside receiver, Tate has good hands and is comfortable extending for catches away from his body, with a real knack for coming down with catches near the sideline. He has good game speed and can eat up ground with his strides, sometimes surprising cornerbacks with how quickly he is able to close space. Tate’s best asset as a route runner is his ability to throttle speeds and sink into his routes. He has a real feel for finding space against zone coverage and his sideline catches are just so enjoyable to watch. I really like Tate’s game as a pass catcher who checks a lot of boxes, even if he might not have the highest of ceilings. He can help out any offense and team setup. — Nate Tice
2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Tyson has struggled with injuries over the past season, but when he’s at his best he’s an explosive down-field threat with legit speed and contested catch ability. Tyson has the potential to be a real WR1 in the NFL with his ability to be a game-breaker at “X receiver.” He just needs to be healthy in the NFL. — Charles McDonald
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3. Denzel Boston, Washington
A smooth route runner in a big frame, Boston can easily get in and out of his breaks and is agile enough to be a dangerous punt returner despite being 6-foot-4, 212 pounds. Boston is a hands catcher with range who can quickly transition into a runner because of the confidence he has in his ball skills. His ability to consistently adjust for the football, combined with his frame, makes him a weapon along the sideline and in the red zone. Boston has build-up speed with the ball in his hands and can pull away with his long strides, and to cap it all off he has a knack for the little things like blocking and route timing. While Boston doesn’t seem to have overwhelming speed or burst, he is a fluid athlete who can win in isolated situations and at all three levels. It’s not easy to find a true “X” WR body type with actual skills like this. — NT
4. Makai Lemon, USC
A quick and twitchy route runner, Lemon does his damage primarily from the slot. While Lemon doesn’t have outstanding size he can play bigger than his height and weight because of his great hand-eye coordination and ball skills. Those traits show up in contested catch situations and in the red zone. Lemon is a chainmover from the inside and also a big-play threat because of his speed, after-catch ability and knack for finding soft spots against zone. I have some questions about how Lemon’s game will look on the outside or against more press-happy NFL cornerbacks. If he can win from on the ball and show that press doesn’t stifle him as much as it did at times in college against larger cornerbacks, then Lemon’s ceiling and thus value is higher. But, as of right now, I consider him a slot-only player, a good one, but I can get only so high with that archetype. — NT
5. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Texas A&M had a smashmouth offense this past season that led it to a College Football Playoff berth, but the Aggies still threw the ball just enough to get Concepcion into first-round status. The former NC State standout slid right in to be one of the best wide receivers in the SEC and a consistent source of production through the air (as long as the quarterback play gave him a chance). — CM
6. Omar Cooper Jr.
While Fernando Mendoza got a ton of praise for Indiana’s offense (rightfully so), he wasn’t exactly throwing to nobodies out there. Cooper had an incredible season for the Hoosiers and should set a fairly high floor as an NFL slot receiver. He should continue to fit into that role in the NFL and he did just enough as an outside wide receiver when he got his reps there to add some flexibility to his game in the NFL. — CM
7(t). Germie Bernard, Alabama
Bernard is the rug that ties the wide receiver room together. He can do a lot of things well, and can be an effective and winning player in a variety of roles. He is a good route runner from the slot and on the outside and can consistently snatch the football away from his body. He can pick up yards after the catch with his contact balance and toughness, even if he doesn’t have true game-breaking speed. He’s also a willing blocker who isn’t afraid to scrap with defenders. Bernard might not have star potential, but he is one of those players who fits any type of offense and personnel around him. — NT
7(t). Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Branch set the Bulldogs record for receptions in a year during his lone season at Georgia, showing off the elite athleticism and agility that made him such an exciting player at USC prior to joining UGA. Branch is not the biggest wide receiver out there who will win at the catch point, but it’s going to be difficult to find many players in this class who are more dynamic than Branch once he gets the ball in his hand. — CM
8. Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
Lance (yes, Trey’s brother) is a springy athlete who is a valid three-level weapon because of his size, ball skills, and sheer speed and overall athleticism. Despite being all of 6-foot-3, Lance is consistently smooth getting in and out of his breaks, with real burst to maximize the separation he creates. He easily overwhelmed the competition at the FCS level, but that matches his high-end testing at the combine. Lance benefits from routes that allow him to use his speed, and his route running could still use further polish, but he snatches the football consistently away from his body, shows loose movement on vertical route stems, and has explosive play ability that never goes out of style. — NT
9. Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
There was plenty of talent on Indiana’s offense, but Sarratt still shined and gets a third-round grade from me. He’ll probably make my top 100 pretty easily. — NT
