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Best Landing Spots for Carnell Tate, Top NFL Rookie WRs to Contribute in 2026
In about a month, we'll find out where the top wide receivers will land in the 2026 NFL draft, stirring up quite a buzz.
Atop the 2026 rookie class, premier wideouts could fit with several receiver-needy teams, which has led to several variations in recent mock drafts.
Bleacher Report's latest big board following the NFL Scouting Combine features nine wide receivers in the top 50. So, let's focus on that group of potential first- and second-rounders.
We've highlighted the best landing spots for all nine receiver prospects based on what type of wideout each team needs, whether it's a lead pass-catcher, big-bodied target, deep threat or versatile playmaker.
The prospects are listed in the order of their B/R big board ranking with their scouting report. Keep in mind this isn't a mock draft, but the team's draft position is a factor in these pairings.
Jordyn Tyson: Miami Dolphins
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This offseason, the Miami Dolphins have cleared the deck at wide receiver. They released Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.
With Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and Malik Washington atop their receiver depth chart, the Dolphins are likely to take a top prospect at the position with one of their two first-round picks. It's a must to help quarterback Malik Willis, who's preparing to be a full-time starter for the first time in his career.
Jordyn Tyson could slip in the draft because of his history of injuries. So, Miami may have multiple opportunities to take him in the first round. He missed a few games in the previous season due to a balky hamstring, but he still caught 61 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns.
When mostly healthy, Tyson made the most of his opportunities. In 2024, he averaged 14.7 yards per catch. The 6'2", 200-pounder has led Arizona State in key receiving categories over the last two years and could do the same in Miami.
Tyson is capable of lining up in different pre-snap positions across the formation. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik can be creative with him as the team's new No. 1 receiver. B/R lists Tyson as the most pro-ready wideout in the class.
Carnell Tate: Cleveland Browns
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The Cleveland Browns have a receiver room full of potential, but they need a ready-made playmaker to help whoever starts under center.
In 2025, rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. led the Browns across multiple receiving stat categories with 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns. Jerry Jeudy led the wide receiver unit in catches (50) and receiving yards (602).
If the Browns take a wideout early in the upcoming draft, that player should be capable of being the go-to target. Carnell Tate is fit for that role.
B/R scouts believe Tate runs the best routes and has the best hands of any receiver in the class, pushing him into the top 10 on the big board. He showcased his polished skill set at Ohio State, racking up 103 receptions for 1,608 yards and 13 touchdowns since the 2024 term. That said, Emeka Egbuka (a 2025 first-rounder) and Jeremiah Smith overshadowed him over the last two years.
In Cleveland, Tate could post more impressive numbers than he did with the Buckeyes with a bigger workload. Because of his ability to separate and create passing windows, he'll be a receiver-friendly target for whoever wins the starting quarterback job.
Makai Lemon: New York Jets
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The New York Jets have a true No. 1 receiver in Garrett Wilson, but he shouldn't have to carry their passing attack alone. There's a massive gap between him and the No. 2 wideout on the roster.
Entering the draft, Adonai Mitchell, whom the Jets acquired from the Indianapolis Colts before the 2025 trade deadline, is in line for the No. 2 receiver spot. He caught 24 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with Gang Green, but the third-year wideout has had drop issues.
Equipped with two first-rounders, the Jets can consider Makai Lemon in the No. 16 spot.
At 5'11, 192 pounds, Lemon plays with a more physical style than the other top receiver prospects. He will likely find a home in the slot and beat defenders in the middle of the field and in the seams.
Lemon could be more than a slot receiver, though. He can rack up catches as a reliable target and pace a passing attack. In college, the USC product averaged more than 14 yards per catch and saw his numbers explode last year, finishing with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In a short period of time, Lemon could surpass Mitchell for the No. 2 spot on the Jets' receiver depth chart.
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KC Concepcion: New England Patriots
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In free agency, the New England Patriots signed wide receiver Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million deal. Still, they can do a little more to help third-year quarterback Drake Maye's growth.
Although Doubs can provide down-to-down consistency to the Patriots' passing game with his inside-outside versatility, the club needs an explosive playmaker. Last year, Kayshon Boutte averaged 16.8 yards per reception, though he only caught 33 passes. He'll be a free agent in 2027.
If the Patriots are looking for instant offense, KC Concepcion can provide that in various ways. He could line up as a traditional receiver, though the versatile threat has taken handoffs and turned short receptions on screens into 20-plus-yard gains.
In three collegiate terms, two at North Carolina State and one at Texas A&M, he recorded 70 carries for 431 yards and three touchdowns. He also showed the ability to handle a high volume of targets, leading the Wolfpack and the Aggies in catches and receiving yards for the 2023 and 2025 seasons, respectively.
While Maye feeds Doubs, New England needs someone who can open up the offense with a multifaceted skill set. Concepcion fits the bill.
Chris Brazzell II: Kansas City Chiefs
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The Kansas City Chiefs have two receivers atop their depth chart in Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, yet they can't rely on either on a week-to-week basis.
Since 2024, Rice has missed 22 games due to injuries and a suspension. Worthy, a 2024 first-rounder, hasn't produced at the level of a lead receiver, recording 101 catches for 1,170 yards and seven touchdowns in 31 outings. At 5'11", 165 pounds, he may never develop into a dominant go-to target.
Don't be surprised if Kansas City moves on from Rice, who's entering the final year of his rookie deal. Even if he's on the team through 2026, the Chiefs need a big body who can be a threat in the red zone as Travis Kelce heads into his age-36 term. The star tight end will play in his 14th season, but he's registered five or fewer touchdown receptions in each of the last three campaigns.
Kansas City should consider Chris Brazzell II, who has the 6'4", 198-pound frame and high-end speed to create mismatches on the perimeter. In his final collegiate term at Tennessee, he caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns.
Like some of the receivers who came out of Tennessee before him, Brazzell stands out as a deep threat, but he must prove to be more than that and create space with his route-running.
In Kansas City, Brazzell would land in a spot where he can quickly develop his technique under head coach Andy Reid. In the meantime, he could draw targets inside the 20-yard line and on third downs. Of course, Patrick Mahomes won't have an issue finding him for splashy plays downfield.
Omar Cooper Jr.: Las Vegas Raiders
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The Las Vegas Raiders signed wide receiver Jalen Nailor in free agency. Aside from star tight end Brock Bowers, he may be the team's best pass-catcher.
Even if the Raiders believe Tre Tucker can take a leap in his fourth season or wideouts Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. make strides after nondescript rookie campaigns, they could help presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza by reuniting him with Omar Cooper Jr.
With Mendoza under center, Cooper saw a significant spike in his production, leading the Indiana Hoosiers in catches (69) and receiving yards (937) last year. He also finished with 13 touchdown receptions.
Even before Mendoza arrived in Bloomington, Cooper flashed big-play ability, averaging 21.2 yards per reception in 2024. His rapport with the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner is undeniable, though.
Assuming the Raiders draft Mendoza and want him to get off to a quick start, they should consider bringing in one of his top receivers early on Day 2 of the draft.
Malachi Fields: Washington Commanders
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The Washington Commanders must surround third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels with more playmakers. Wideout Deebo Samuel and tight end Zach Ertz were the team's top two pass-catchers from the previous season, while Terry McLaurin battled injuries.
Samuel led the Commanders with 72 catches for 727 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Ertz finished second on the team in catches (50) and touchdown receptions (four). Both are free agents, and the latter is recovering from a torn ACL.
In addition to signing tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, Washington can reload its pass-catching group with a big target who can be Daniels' No. 2 wide receiver.
Although Malachi Fields' touchdown production is underwhelming, with five in each of his last three collegiate seasons, he's a field-stretcher who can take the top off defenses.
Between 2023 and 2024, with the Virginia Cavaliers, Fields averaged more than 14 yards per reception. At Notre Dame last year, he racked up 17.5 per grab as the Fighting Irish's most explosive perimeter playmaker.
With room to grow, Fields can be more consistent at the next level. In Washington, he would see plenty of opportunities to develop in a big role alongside McLaurin in the passing attack.
Zachariah Branch: Atlanta Falcons
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The Atlanta Falcons may have a quarterback controversy with the addition of Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. on the mend following knee surgery. Regardless of which southpaw starts under center, the Falcons have a clear need at the No. 2 receiver spot.
Before the start of the new league year, Atlanta released Darnell Mooney, who finished just eight yards shy of a 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024 but struggled to carve out a significant role the following year.
Wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts will be the top targets in the Falcons' aerial attack, but the offense has room for a playmaker out of the slot.
Atlanta doesn't have its first-round pick, but it may be able to snag Zachariah Branch in the second round.
Branch is a shifty 5'9", 177-pounder who uses speed and vision to pick up yards after the catch. In space, he'll put fear in defenders because of his ability to extend plays.
In three collegiate terms, two at USC and one at Georgia, Branch barely averaged more than 10 yards per catch, and he didn't see a high volume of targets until his final campaign with the Bulldogs.
However, the Falcons don't need him to command a ton of looks in the passing game; his speed would be a valuable asset with big targets like London and Pitts on the perimeter.
Denzel Boston: Baltimore Ravens
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The Baltimore Ravens are still looking for a No. 2 receiver to complement two-time Pro Bowler Zay Flowers, a 5'9", 183-pounder who's registered 14 touchdown receptions in three seasons.
Baltimore hasn't re-signed DeAndre Hopkins. Rashod Bateman saw a significant drop-off in touchdown receptions from nine to two between 2024 and 2025. Pass-catching tight end Isaiah Likely signed with the New York Giants in free agency.
Instead of signing another big-bodied receiver past his prime, as they did with Hopkins last offseason, the Ravens should target one of the bigger receivers in this class.
At 6'4", 212 pounds, Denzel Boston has an NFL-ready frame, and he has the touchdown production that indicates the Ravens can feature him in the red zone.
Over his last two collegiate terms at Washington, Boston registered 20 touchdown receptions. He'll add more physicality to Baltimore's offense and make life easier for star quarterback Lamar Jackson when he's on the move outside the pocket.
As tight end Mark Andrews' receiving numbers go on the decline, the Ravens must develop a secondary target in their passing attack. Boston would likely see a handful of looks per game in his rookie campaign.
NFL prospect measurements are provided by NFL.com.
College football statistics are provided by cfbstats.com.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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