Unlike what transpired with the quarterback position , the wide receiver class as a whole took a significant step forward from the summer scouting period and is once again considered a consensus strength of the 2026 NFL Draft . Even with the changes to the modern game, more condensed splits, and morphing coverage structures, the primary question that we need answered as evaluators comes down to whether or not the player can get open consistently. From there, the conversation branches off to a myriad of directions, but that is the number one requirement to be a full-time player in the league.
Luckily for teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers , there are plenty of different flavors from various archetypes to choose from — deep threats, route runners, possession receivers, and gadget players. When looking at the roster, it's easy to envision them double-dipping at this position on draft weekend, seeing as they have already hosted a few of these guys for pre-draft visits to the facility.
Today, we'll take a look at the top receivers in the class from my vantage point, all of which are currently inside my top 100 on my big board that will be released in the coming days.
Here we go!
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate during his pro day on March 25, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Tate was one of the most improved prospects in all of college football this past season, showing immense progress as a route runner. He destroys off coverage with good burst off the line of scrimmage, an understanding of how to manipulate defenders through the route stem, and tracks the ball exceptionally well down the field with the best pure hands in the entire class. Although he profiles as more of a 1B-type, this is a skill set that offers a high floor and makes every unit better.
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State Athletics
Alignment versatile bucket getter that wins with quick twitch, tempo modulation, and nuance on how to separate at the top of the route. Tyson is light on his feet with a varied release package to uncover immediately in the quick game, recognizes how to get defenders leaning with a rocker step before breaking opposite at the second level, and has enough speed to keep cornerbacks honest. His ceiling is through the roof if he can just stay healthy long enough to fine-tune his craft.
Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) celebrates with tight end Walker Lyons (85) after catching a 32-yard touchdown pass against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Lemon has all of the traits that you look for in a throwback slot receiver: efficient route running chops thanks in large part to his change of direction ability, spatial awareness and fearlessness to slice through zone coverages, combined with the awareness and balance to make the first guy miss. His success in contested catch situations, particularly in the red zone, is the most pleasant surprise in his profile. His competitiveness is off the charts; betting on him early is banking on his improving versus press with more exposure.
Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on Nov 8, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri. — Jay Biggerstaff / Imagn Images]
Three-level separator that shined in a new environment at Texas A&M by proving he was more than just a run-after-catch threat that needed manufactured touches underneath. Concepcion is the best receiver in this class at defeating press coverage, suddenly drops corners off at the break point and has the top gear to take the top off the defense. Relatively simple fixes to his catching technique could turn him into a high volume, dangerous playmaker early in his rookie contract.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) against the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, on Jan 19, 2026. — Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn ImagesCredit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Cooper is a tough receiver with a well-rounded skillset, highlighted by his production in two different roles while at Indiana: a vertical threat in 2024 before transitioning to the slot in 2025. He shows promise as an intermediate route runner, has outstanding contact balance to churn out yards after the catch and has a few acrobatic grabs on his resume as well. While some of his peers have higher ceilings, he's got very few red flags and is definitely willing to do the dirty work.
Chris Bell, Louisville Athletics
Height/weight/speed freak that can bully through press coverage, take a slant or crossing route to the house with jaw dropping acceleration. Bell can sink his hips and decelerate extremely well for his size, there's examples on film of him displaying a good understanding of soft spots in zone coverage and he was criminally underutilized as a downfield target in Louisville's offense. It's a tricky evaluation because you see so much potential in spurts, but this is the ultimate bet on traits in hopes that he responds positively to more responsibility in a new ecosystem.
Washington WR Denzel Boston speaks to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind. –Brendan Howe / Steelers Now
Skyscraping power forward that is a matchup nightmare in the low red zone, mastering how to use his frame to shield defenders from the football and presents a huge catch radius for his quarterback. Boston is a smooth mover that utilizes many tricks of the trade to get himself open, tracks the football exceptionally well downfield and adjusts to off-target throws with relative ease. He doesn't consistently generate separation, which invites hesitation because of how many past misses came from this archetype.
Georgia State Panthers wide receiver Ted Hurst (16) runs after a catch against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on Aug. 31, 2024. — Brett Davis / Imagn ImagesCredit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Hurst is an X-receiver that shredded G5 competition over the past two seasons; he's a loose athlete with the foot quickness to uncover at the top of routes, can swivel his hips and work crisp angles out of the break and was way more elusive after the catch in 2025. With his length and hand-eye coordination, jump balls seemed like a foregone conclusion evidenced by his career 61% contested catch success rate. Obviously, he's taking a seismic leap in competition level, so patience is required for whichever franchise selects him.
Brazzell's gamebreaking performance versus Georgia (6/177/3) that featured him making acrobatic catches downfield and winning as an intermediate route runner showed glimpses of how talented he truly is. His hand usage to keep guys off his frame is encouraging, plus he's stronger and more loose than you'd think at initial glance. Interviews will be extremely crucial in this instance to figure out how he's wired and whether he's willing to put the work in to be more than an outside the numbers splash play specialist.
Antonio Williams, Clemson Athletics
Chain moving target out of the slot, Williams does most of his damage underneath on quick hitters and option routes working away from defender leverage, and is a quarterback-friendly target in the scramble drill. Beyond polished route running, he competes as a blocker and actually has the hops and body control to make the occasional difficult snag. Clemson utilized him as if he was a dynamic athlete, but it didn't show up as much on the tape the way it did during testing.
Germie Bernard — Alabama Athletics
Ultimate glue guy that's content doing the dirty work for the offense, working over the middle through traffic without hesitation and fighting for first downs post-catch. His real value comes from his contributions as a blocker; he can play condensed to the formation and pin bigger guys on perimeter runs or fit up safeties in the box. He struggled to track the ball at times, leading to an underwhelming contested catch rate, but he's got the size and mental makeup of a useful role player.
Stribling is a prototypical X-receiver with good size, play strength to go with a calculated release package and active hands to evade press corners. He's got strong hands to make catches away from his frame, the initial burst is underrated, which shows up in he's able to stack guys vertically and in the post-catch transition. He's a bit tight in his lower half, but his competitiveness and frame offer a good bit of promise as a blocking asset.
Sarratt is a big-bodied possession wideout that was wildly productive in high-leverage situations, notching a whopping 44 career touchdowns throughout his collegiate career. He's got superb ball skills — dominated on back shoulder fades where his body control and sideline awareness popped and he hides his intentions well through the rep. There are times where he'll get hemmed up in the press, but he's got the football IQ and toughness to take on some power slot usage in the league if that becomes a detriment.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Dec 6, 2025. — Brett Davis / Imagn ImagesCredit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
There's no doubt about it — Branch is electric with the rock in his hands whether on offense or as a returner; he's extremely explosive and twitched up, making him slippery in the open field with the way he can stop-start and juke defenders. He's a work in progress as an actual receiver, but made some tough grabs on seam routes in traffic and will deploy a stair-step technique on crossing routes to run away from man coverage. Only time will tell if he can refine his game to a point where he can shed the gadget moniker.
UConn Huskies wide receiver Skyler Bell (1) reacts after his touchdown against the UAB Blazers in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field on Nov 1, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA. — David Butler II / Imagn Images
Bell significantly cut down on the drops this season as focal point of the huskies offense, aligning all over the formation as they found ways to get him to the ball to maximize his angle-erasing speed and plus vision. He excels on crossing routes and quick slants to stay on the move, makes some spectacular one-handed/late hand grabs with body control and tracking ability that could be maximized with better quarterback play. There's a helpful player here if he can become a more detailed route runner.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : DB's Big Board: Ranking Top WRs in 2026 NFL Draft
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