Week 1 is in the books, and I’ve covered my top 10 Quarterbacks and Running Backs for the 2026 NFL Draft so far, so let’s jump into the upcoming wide receiver class! 

NFL Draft Breakdown (2006-2025)

On average, over the 7 rounds of the NFL Draft, we see the following numbers of players taken at each position: 

Position
Average Number Drafted Annually

Quarterback
12.8

Running Back
22.5

Wide Receiver
33.1

Tight End
15.4

Offensive Tackle
21.3

Interior OL (Guard/Center)
24.7

Defensive End
23.9

Defensive Tackle
19.6

Linebacker
31.8

Cornerback
30.5

Safety
21.1

Kicker
2.1

Punter
2.3

Long Snapper
0.8

And here’s a breakdown by round:

Position
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7

Quarterback
3.5
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.3
1.4
1.2

Running Back
1.3
2.5
2.7
3.6
3.5
4.8
4.1

Wide Receiver
4.6
4.4
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.8
5.7

Tight End
0.9
1.9
2.2
2.4
2.6
3
2.4

Offensive Tackle
4.1
3.2
2.9
2.8
2.5
3.1
2.7

Interior OL
2.2
2.9
3.8
4
3.7
4.5
3.6

Defensive End
3.9
3.6
3.1
3.2
2.9
3.8
3.4

Defensive Tackle
2.8
2.4
2.6
2.8
2.9
3.2
2.9

Linebacker
3.4
3.9
4.5
4.8
4.7
5.5
5

Cornerback
3.8
4.2
4
4.1
3.9
5.1
5.4

Safety
1.5
2.3
2.8
3.1
3.4
4.1
3.9

Kicker
0.05
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.4
0.35

Punter
0
0.05
0.1
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.45

Long Snapper
0
0
0
0.05
0.2
0.3
0.25

FIRST LOOK: Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Wide Receivers

I was surprised I have so many under six-foot-tall wideouts in my top 10 currently, but there are some EXTREMELY talented smaller wideouts in this draft class, beginning with Eric Singleton Jr, who went from Georgia Tech to Auburn this season. He’s fast, and if he can show a more developed route tree this season, I could easily make a case for (probably at best) day 2 draft capital (and yes, I know I mocked him in round one in my mock after the 2025 NFL Draft). Now that I’ve had more time to dig into this draft class, I think Tate, Tyson, and Boston are probably the names we heard on day 1, depending on how many wideouts go in the 1st round. 

Carnell Tate put on a clinic against the Texas Longhorns in week one, showing great concentration on the touchdown catch and some big-play ability that should get teams excited come next spring. Tyson, Boston, and Harbor are all big-bodied wideouts (yes, Tyson’s smaller for sure), but I’m interested to see how they distinguish themselves this season. I think Tyson and Harbor have the best chance (probably because of the quarterback situations at their respective schools), but Boston is arguably the best at contested catches in this group of wideouts. 

——————-

After my top 5, I think Bernard could wind up being the name to watch. Has good size, speed, and is a reliable pass catcher that looks like Ty Simpson‘s most trusted wideout (at least after one week). We’ll get to see plenty of Bernard this season with a Bama team that’s still trying to right the ship after Saban’s departure, still trying to find their identity, and Bernard should play a key role in 2025.

Branch is a name that’s been popular for some time, with an explosive 2023 season displaying his quickness and burst, but if he wants to make a case for early draft capital, we have to see him take it to another level in 2025. And, interestingly enough, I kind of see Williams, Branch, Concepcion, and Lemon as players in the mold of Bears wideout Luther Burden. Not only because of their size/speed combo, but because they have a lot of the same traits, at least at this point. I think they are all good pass catchers, with solid body control and big play ability, but may slide down a little on draft boards because of their height. That being said, all are in my mind, round 2-4 type players as it stands today.

Thanks for Stopping By!

Follow Draft Countdown on YouTube for NFL Draft and fantasy football videos, including mock drafts, with college football analysis every season, and more!

Like this:

Like Loading…