The lifeblood of local debate, the 2026 wide receiving class is ready to get deeper looks from the Buffalo Bills.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane knows the thirst in the fan base for a top receiver. He quelled that a bit by trading for wide receiver DJ Moore, but it’s time to also look to some young options.
Some popular questions for receiver prospects at the 2026 NFL combine was asking players to name their top-five current NFL players or to whom they would compare their game. Soon, these prospects will hope to make the jump to be in those conversations themselves for future combines.
This year's draft class goes on and on. The Athletic's Dane Brugler, their draft guru, writes: "What this group lacks in superstar talent, it makes up for with quality. There will be playmakers available in every round."
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, running the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, says, "I’m able to impact the game with or without the ball in my hands."
Michael Conroy, Associated Press
Overall position ranking: 7/10.
Bills view: The position is once again a favorite talking point of Bills Mafia. Even with Moore in the mix, Beane has made it clear he could still use pick No. 26 on a receiver. And the need is there. The Bills receiving corps last year left plenty to be desired. The team needs to maximize quarterback Josh Allen if it wants to win it all.
Bills' need ranking: 7/10.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane knows the thirst in the fan base for a top receiver. He quelled that a bit by trading for wide receiver DJ Moore, but it’s time to also look to some young options.
Some popular questions for receiver prospects at the 2026 NFL combine was asking players to name their top-five current NFL players or to whom they would compare their game. Soon, these prospects will hope to make the jump to be in those conversations themselves for future combines.
This year's draft class goes on and on. The Athletic's Dane Brugler, their draft guru, writes: "What this group lacks in superstar talent, it makes up for with quality. There will be playmakers available in every round."
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, running the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, says, "I’m able to impact the game with or without the ball in my hands."
Michael Conroy, Associated Press
Overall position ranking: 7/10.
Bills view: The position is once again a favorite talking point of Bills Mafia. Even with Moore in the mix, Beane has made it clear he could still use pick No. 26 on a receiver. And the need is there. The Bills receiving corps last year left plenty to be desired. The team needs to maximize quarterback Josh Allen if it wants to win it all.
Bills' need ranking: 7/10.
Best in class
Carnell Tate, Ohio State: Let the Ohio State receiver speak for himself: “Yeah, I mean, I think my game brings it all to the table. I got the contested catch. I got that route running, and I also bring the run game, like a lot of receivers don’t do that. So I’m able to impact the game with or without the ball in my hands.” Tate is a premier receiver who did miss some games last season with injury. Still, he hauled in 875 yards and nine touchdowns on just 51 receptions.
Other names to know
Makai Lemon, Southern Cal: The 2025 Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation’s most outstanding receiver, went to the hyper-competitive Lemon. Lemon lined up in the slot for 75% of his college snaps at USC, and he was certainly productive. He hauled in 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions last year, his junior season.Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State: The receiver wows with his catch radius. In nine games last season, he had 711 yards, eight touchdowns and 61 catches. He's worked through injuries, but the production is there.
KC Concepcion, Texas A&M: A New York native, Concepcion was born in Rochester before his family moved south. At Texas A&M last year, he logged 919 yards, nine touchdowns and 61 catches. He’s versatile and ready to work wherever coaches line him up.
Intriguing
Ja’Kobi Lane, Southern Cal: Lane was a teammate with Lemon at USC. At the combine, the two addressed the media at the same time just a podium apart. Lemon felt their pairing benefited the team as well as him as an individual. “Lane is a great teammate and a great person as well,” Lemon said. “He made me a better person and a better player that I am today. Just he knows me the best. So when I’m slacking off some days, he’s getting on my butt to make sure I get on my 'A' game, and he’s a great person to have in the locker room for sure.”Sleeper
J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida: He was LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s top target in high school. Then in college, Sturdivant was a four-year starter who can play inside or outside. He rounded out his college career with the Gators, and he looks like a receiver who can use special teams to snag a roster spot while he continues to develop.
Top 10
| Rank | Name | School | Height | Weight |
| 1 | Carnell Tate | Ohio State | 6-2 | 192 |
| 2 | Makai Lemon | USC | 5-11 | 192 |
| 3 | Jordyn Tyson | Arizona State | 6-2 | 203 |
| 4 | KC Concepcion | Texas A&M | 6-0 | 196 |
| 5 | Omar Cooper Jr | Indiana | 6-0 | 199 |
| 6 | Denzel Boston | Washington | 6-4 | 212 |
| 7 | Chris Bell | Louisville | 6-2 | 222 |
| 8 | Germie Bernard | Alabama | 6-1 | 206 |
| 9 | Malachi Fields | Notre Dame | 6-4 | 218 |
| 10 | Elijah Sarratt | Indiana | 6-2 | 210 |