The NFL Draft season heats up Thursday, February 26 with the start of the NFL Scouting Combine. Teams get their first real chance to evaluate prospects up close.
The Combine focuses as much on interviews and meetings as it does on physical testing. Wide receivers will showcase their skills Saturday, February 28.
The wide receiver class doubles the size of both quarterback and running back groups. This breakdown covers only Combine invitees, with additional draft-eligible receivers to be added after the event.
Measurements and Testing
All height and weight measurements are subject to change during official Combine testing. The listed sizes provide close estimates but won’t be official until measured in Indianapolis.
Teams will also gather 40-yard dash times, bench press results, and various timed drill performances during the weekend.
Wide receivers represent the first position group with varying opinions on the top prospects. The elite tier features three names, compared to just one consensus top player at quarterback and running back.
The second tier runs deep with 16 players. Even the third tier includes prospects who could develop into contributors at the NFL level.
Tier 1: First-Round Talents
Only three receivers project as consensus first-round picks. These players create urgency for teams targeting elite talent at the position.
Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson have battled for the top spot all season. Tate has gained momentum in recent weeks, while Makai Lemon continues closing the gap on both players.
| Name | School | HT | WT | Range |
| Carnell Tate | Ohio St | 6’3 | 195 | Rd 1 |
| Jordyn Tyson | ASU | 6’2 | 200 | Rd 1 |
| Makai Lemon | USC | 5’11 | 195 | Rd 1-2 |
According to Yahoo Sports, Jordyn Tyson won’t participate in drills or testing at the Combine. He’s still recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in October.
Tier 2: The Starter Group
Most teams will focus their attention here. This tier includes 16 players who project as future NFL starters, though not all as WR1 options.
Several prospects deserve special attention during Combine workouts. KC Concepcion needs to show reliable hands. Ted Hurst brings small-school talent with big potential. Skyler Bell has good tape but needs to prove his speed. Ja’Kobi Lane shows incredible hands and body control but played alongside Lemon at USC.
| Name | School | HT | WT | Range |
| Denzel Boston | Washington | 6’4 | 210 | Rd 1-2 |
| KC Concepcion | Texas A&M | 5’11 | 190 | Rd 2-3 |
| Omar Cooper Jr | Indiana | 6’0 | 204 | Rd 2-3 |
| Chris Bell | Louisville | 6’2 | 204 | Rd 2-3 |
| Germie Bernard | Alabama | 6’1 | 204 | Rd 2-3 |
| Elijah Surratt | Indiana | 6’2 | 213 | Rd 2-3 |
| Zachariah Branch | Georgia | 5’10 | 180 | Rd 2-3 |
| Skyler Bell | UConn | 6’0 | 185 | Rd 2-3 |
| Malachi Fields | Notre Dame | 6’4 | 222 | Rd 2-3 |
| Chris Brazzell II | Tennessee | 6’5 | 200 | Rd 2-3 |
| Ted Hurst | Georgia St | 6’3 | 195 | Rd 2-4 |
| Bryce Lance | NDSU | 6’3 | 209 | Rd 2-4 |
| Antoinio Williams | Clemson | 5’11 | 190 | Rd 3-4 |
| Ja’Kobi Lane | USC | 6’4 | 200 | Rd 3-4 |
| Deion Burks | Oklahoma | 5’9 | 188 | Rd 3-4 |
| CJ Daniels | Miami | 6’2 | 205 | Rd 3-4 |
Tier 3: Day 3 Value
The third tier still provides value through Day 3 of the Draft. Most players here have the physical tools, but their production or specific traits place them behind the top tiers.
Teams needing an immediate starter or impact player should select their receiver before this group. This isn’t exclusively developmental talent, but it’s where immediate rookie production becomes less likely.
| Name | School | HT | WT | Range |
| Cyrus Allen | Cincinnati | 5’11 | 180 | Rd 3-5 |
| De’Zhaun Stribling | Ole Miss | 6’2 | 210 | Rd 3-5 |
| Brenen Thompson | Mississippi St | 5’9 | 170 | Rd 3-5 |
| Kevin Coleman Jr | Missouri | 5’11 | 180 | Rd 3-5 |
| Eric McAlister | TCU | 6’3 | 205 | Rd 3-5 |
| Eric Rivers | GT | 5’11 | 180 | Rd 4-6 |
| Reggie Virgil | Texas Tech | 6’3 | 190 | Rd 4-6 |
| Chase Roberts | BYU | 6’4 | 210 | Rd 4-6 |
| Zavion Thomas | LSU | 5’10 | 192 | Rd 4-6 |
| Aaron Anderson | LSU | 5’8 | 188 | Rd 4-6 |
| Kendrick Law | Kentucky | 6’0 | 205 | Rd 4-6 |
Tier 4: Development Projects
The fourth tier focuses on developmental projects. Some players had good college production, but at this draft stage, they’re not expected to contribute immediately as rookies.
They might see the field in their first season, but no one expects a polished product right away.
| Name | School | HT | WT | Range |
| Jeff Caldwell | Cincinnati | 6’5 | 215 | Rd 5-7 |
| Caleb Douglas | Texas Tech | 6’4 | 205 | Rd 5-7 |
| Colbie Young | Georgia | 6’4 | 215 | Rd 5-7 |
| J. Michael Sturdivant | Florida | 6’2 | 213 | Rd 5-7 |
| Kaden Wetjen | Iowa | 5’9 | 196 | Rd 5-7 |
| Jordan Hudson | SMU | 6’1 | 200 | Rd 5-7 |
| Josh Cameron | Baylor | 6’1 | 224 | Rd 5-7 |
| Vinny Anthony II | Wisconsin | 6’0 | 190 | Rd 5-7 |
| Dillon Bell | Georgia | 6’1 | 210 | Rd 5-7 |
| Malik Benson | Oregon | 6’1 | 195 | Rd 6-UFA |
| Harrison Wallace III | Ole Miss | 6’1 | 200 | Rd 6-UFA |
| Caullin Lacy | Louisville | 5’10 | 190 | Rd 6-UFA |
| Emmanuel Henderson Jr | Kansas | 6’1 | 190 | Rd 6-UFA |
| Barion Brown | LSU | 5’11 | 185 | Rd 6-UFA |
| Donaven McCulley | Michigan | 6’5 | 215 | UFA |
| Jalen Walthall | Incarnate Word | 6’2 | 180 | UFA |
The Numbers Game
Nearly 45 wide receivers received Combine invitations. That represents almost a sixth of the total 247 players who will be drafted, suggesting several prospects won’t hear their names called.
The position gets even more crowded with draft-eligible players who didn’t receive Combine invites. The total pool grows from 45 to almost 75 prospects.
This receiver class follows a familiar pattern: it’s top-heavy.
Tier 1 offers instant starters. Tier 2 provides rookie-year contributors. After that, the chances of immediate rookie production drop off significantly. By the fourth tier, teams are looking at 2025 and beyond.
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