JACKSONVILLE – There's quality at the top, and it continues down.
That doesn't make the wide receiver class in the 2026 NFL Draft good on a historical level. It does mean there are many good players at the position, and that's nothing new.
If you want production, it's there – very deep in the draft.
"I wouldn't say it's elite; I would say it's really good," Jaguars/NFL Media Analyst Bucky Brooks said.
Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State projects by many analysts as the No. 1 player in what is considered a versatile receiver draft class – a class that may not feature a Top 5 player but one that many analysts believe could feature as many as six or seven first-round selections.
"The [NFL Scouting] Combine really showed the depth of the class," ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid.
Reid called the receiver class – though perhaps not as strong at the top as some recent receiver classes – one of the deepest in the '26 NFL Draft along with edge rusher, linebacker and safety.
"There's a lot of depth," Reid said. "We don't have those star players, or the blue chippers at the top. We have a lot of No. 2 wide receivers in this class, but that's OK. We're not going to have the star power of some of the classes we have recently."
Tyson isn't necessarily a consensus choice at the top of the class, with Carnell Tate of Ohio State, KC Concepcion of Texas A&M and Makai Lemon of Southern California also often projected as Top 20 selections.
"There are all different flavors," NFL Media Analyst Daniel Jeremiah said of the wide receivers in the '26 class. "Some teams are shopping for different things."
Receivers such as Omar Cooper Jr. of Indiana also are projected as first-round selections, with Denzel Boston of Washington also projected by many as a possible first-round selection.
"If we had to rate where those guys at the top would go in most drafts, 15 would be the starting point," Brooks said. "I can't say that when you look at this class, there's a slam-dunk Top 10 receiver. I would say that if you ask anybody, they're probably comfortable with those guys mid-to-late first round.
"The wide receiver classes in recent years are always pretty good. The difference is, not necessarily the bona fide stars at the top, but there is quality through the entire draft class. When we talk about quality, there are the guys that are terrific in the slot, they can excel in their roles and have a lot of success. These are the outside guys that are maybe your traditional 'X' receiver that can command and dominate double teams, they can handle anchor the passing game, those things."
Four receivers were selected in Round 1 in 2025, with seven selected in what was considered a premium receiver draft in 2024. At least four receivers have been selected in Round 1 of every NFL Draft since 2019.
"It's a byproduct of guys throwing the ball all over the yad," Brooks said. "Wide receivers are well-developed because they have so many more reps now. It's also impacted running back. The better athletes are going to play wide receiver, because they can touch the ball. They can change the game in a different way. It has impacted everything.
"The best players are going to receiver as opposed to going running back and defensive back. Those athletes are catching the ball as opposed to playing other spots."
HANDICAPPING THE JAGUARS
This at first glance appears to be a low early priority on draft weekend, with the Jaguars revamping the position throughout the 2025 season. What emerged by season's end was a balanced, versatile receiving corps that helped the Jaguars become of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Fourth-year veteran Parker Washington caught 58 passes for 847 yards with five touchdowns, with third-year veteran Brian Thomas Jr. catching 48 passes for 707 yards with two touchdowns and eight-year veteran Jakobi Meyers in nine Jaguars games catching 42 passes for 483 yards with three touchdowns. Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, caught 28 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown while also playing extensively at cornerback. Possible draft-weekend storyline: Fourth or fifth receiver. With the Jaguars not re-signing veteran Tim Patrick, and with the extent of Hunter's offensive role unknown, the Jaguars could address this position anywhere in the draft – with Rounds 3-5 seemingly likely.
CHANCE JAGUARS TAKE A WIDE RECEIVER ON DAYS 1-2 (ROUNDS 1-3)
Decent, particularly in Round 3.
WRs ON THE JAGUARS ROSTER
Parker Washington (Seven starts in 2025), Jakobi Meyers (seven), Brian Thomas Jr. (14), Travis Hunter (two), Chandler Brayboy, Tim Jones, Austin Trammell.
BUCKY BROOKS' TOP 5 2026 WIDE RECEIVERS
- Jordyn Tyson, Jr., Arizona State
- Carnell Tate, Jr., Ohio State
- Chris Brazzell II, Jr., Tennessee
- Malachi Fields, Sr., Notre Dame
- Denzel Boston, Jr., Washington.
POSSIBLE FIRST-ROUND WIDE RECEIVERS
Tyson; Tate; Brazell; Fields; Boston; KC Concepcion, Jr., Texas A&M; Makai Lemon, Jr., Southern California; Omar Cooper Jr., Jr., Indiana.
